bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of a questionnaire to measure the key attributes of the community palliative care specialist nurse role
Authors: Cameron Dee , Johnston Bridget
Published: February 2015

Background:

Recent worldwide economic events have forced an examination of the nurse's contribution to high-quality, effective, person-centred care. Since the role of specialist nurses is considered one of the least understood or valued developments in nursing, specialist nurses must demonstrate their contribution to quality, person-centred health care.

Aim:

To develop a questionnaire which aims to measure the quality of care provided by palliative care specialist nurses from the patients' perspective and to undertake initial validation.

Method:

The process of questionnaire development involved six phases including systematic literature reviews, patient advisory groups and expert panel reviews, each of which contributed to the questionnaire face and content validity. Johnston's Expert Palliative Care Nurse Model ( 2002 ; 2005 ) provided an evidence-based framework for the development of the questionnaire, and enabled the identification of the key attributes of the palliative care specialist nurse role, thereby providing the themes on which to base the questionnaire.

Results:

The Quality Measure for Palliative Nursing, a questionnaire, was developed. The themes identified in the questionnaire—personal characteristics, communication skills, knowledge, relationship with patient and providing comfort—aim to facilitate measurement of the quality of care provided by palliative care specialist nurses. Designed for use by palliative patients the Quality Measure for Palliative Nursing is a one-page questionnaire comprising of 15 questions.

Conclusions:

The Quality Measure for Palliative Nursing is unique since it aims to measure the quality of care provided by community palliative care specialist nurses, and could also be used to measure patient satisfaction with the quality of care provided. Further testing is recommended to ensure that this questionnaire can provide reliable and valid results.
Chitosan-Coated Gold Nanoparticles as Promising Nanosystem for Directional Drug Delivery to Target Organs
Authors: Mochalova A.E. , Koryagin A.S. , Salomatina E.V. , Apryatina K.V. , Smirnova L.A.
Published: February 2015

The present research under the application of a chitosan-coated gold nanoparticles nanosystem was made on experimental animals into the chitosan transportation property of orally administered nanostructured gold delivery into the bloodstream and its further distribution through the animals’ organs. Transportation properties are dependent on the molecular weight of chitosan: in case the molecular weight is equal or more than 30’000 an accumulation of nanoparticles is found in kidney, liver, lung and spleen as opposed to the oligomer of chitosan with the molecular weight of ~ (5-10)* 103 when the nanostructured gold is detected in kidney and liver only. The adaptogenic activity of the chitosan-coated gold nanoparticles nanosystem was revealed in conditions of hypoxia simulation. A significant feature of the nanosystem is that the nanostructured gold is completely egested from an organism within a month.
Cation Exchange and Mineral Reactions Observed in MX 80 Buffer Samples of the Prototype Repository In Situ Experiment in Äspö, Sweden
Authors: Dohrmann Reiner , Kaufhold Stephan
Published: February 2015

Bentonites are candidate materials for high-level radioactive waste (HLRW) repositories and, therefore, are investigated with respect to long-term stability. In order to identify possible bentonite alteration processes, long-term in situ tests are conducted in rock laboratories. The prototype repository in situ experiment (PR) is one of the best examples of this kind of test due to the size of the installation as well as the duration. In the present study, chemical and mineralogical alteration processes of the bentonite MX 80 after an 8 y heating period were investigated. The water content of all samples increased following inflowing Na-Ca-Cl-type granitic groundwater causing cation exchange in the bentonite buffer materials. Exchangeable magnesium was desorbed in the buffer and MgO concentration increased at the bentonite-Cu canister interface; the Mg sink could not be detected, however. CaO also accumulated at this interface mainly as Ca carbonate and Ca sulfate. Cu corrosion products were identified at the bentonite-canister interface by chemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), and differential thermal analysis. Up to 0.5 mm into the bentonites Cu could be detected by SEM-EDX. No cristobalite dissolution was observed in contrast to other in situ tests in which iron heaters were used. The corrosion products and the lubricant which was added during manufacturing of the bentonite blocks were mixed with the bentonite at the bentonite-canister interface. A quantitative measure of that mixture was the decrease in the cation exchange capacity (CEC). The CEC also reduced in all other samples, however, compared to the CECs of the reference samples, particularly in the warmer deposition hole 5 compared to the colder deposition hole 6. Overall, the PR in situ experiment proved that cation exchange reactions occurred in full-scale bentonite buffer experiments in all bentonite blocks but structural degradation of smectite could not be identified.
Analyzing Expanding Clays by Thermoporometry Using a Stochastic Deconvolution of the DSC Signal
Authors: Kozlowski Tomasz , Walaszczyk Łukasz
Published: February 2015

A version of thermoporometry dedicated to analyzing the pore network of expanding clays is proposed here. The blurred, wide Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) peak obtained upon the melting of a frozen clay sample is processed by means of a deconvolution analysis based on searching for such a temperature distribution of “pulse-like heat events” which, convolved with the apparatus function, gives a minimal deviation from the observed heat flux function, i.e. the calorimetric signal. As a result, a sharp thermogram was obtained which can be transformed easily into the pore-size distribution curve. Results obtained for samples of two Clay Minerals Society Source Clays (montmorillonites SWy-2 from Wyoming and STx-1b from Texas) at different water contents indicate a greater resolution and sensitivity than that achieved by classical thermoporometry using the unprocessed DSC signal. Phenomena corresponding to the evolution of the pore network as a function of the water content have been detected in samples with large water contents subjected to free drying prior to the experiments.
Taiwanese Attitudes and Affective Reactions Toward Individuals and Coworkers Who Have Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Hsu Tsu-Hsuan , Huang Ying-Ting , Liu Yi-Hui , Ososkie Joseph , Fried Juliet , Bezyak Jill
Published: February 2015

This study investigated the attitudes of Taiwanese employees toward individuals and their supported coworkers with intellectual disabilities (ID). The findings indicated that the general attitudes of Taiwanese employees toward individuals with ID and their affective reactions toward their coworkers with ID were positive. These discoveries were contrary to previous beliefs that Taiwanese people tended to have societal stigma toward people and coworkers with ID. The outcomes also showed that the participants who had longer work contact with their coworkers with ID tended to have more positive attitudes toward them. Therefore, promoting supported employment trainings and opportunities for qualified people with ID was recommended.
Language Development in Infants and Toddlers With Fragile X Syndrome: Change Over Time and the Role of Attention
Authors: Kover Sara T. , McCary Lindsay M. , Ingram Alexandra M. , Hatton Deborah D. , Roberts Jane E.
Published: February 2015

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is associated with significant language and communication delays, as well as problems with attention. This study investigated early language abilities in infants and toddlers with FXS (n  =  13) and considered visual attention as a predictor of those skills. We found that language abilities increased over the study period of 9 to 24 months, with moderate correlations among language assessments. In comparison to typically developing infants (n  =  11), language skills were delayed beyond chronological age and developmental-level expectations. Aspects of early visual attention predicted later language ability. Atypical visual attention is an important aspect of the FXS phenotype with implications for early language development, particularly in the domain of vocabulary.
Cultural and Child-Related Predictors of Distress Among Latina Caregivers of Children With Intellectual Disabilities
Authors: Long Kristin A. , Kao Barbara , Plante Wendy , Seifer Ronald , Lobato Debra
Published: February 2015

The objective of this article is to examine associations among socioeconomic, cultural, and child factors and maternal distress among families of children with intellectual disabilities (ID). Latino and nonLatino White (NLW) mothers of children with and without ID (N  =  192) reported on familism, language acculturation, maternal distress, child adaptive functioning, and child behavior problems. Among mothers of children with ID, higher levels of child behavior problems mediated the association between Latina ethnicity and elevated maternal distress. Associations between child behavior problems and maternal distress in Latina mothers of children with ID were moderated by single-parent marital status, higher familism, and lower English usage. Thus, child and cultural factors contribute to elevated distress among Latina mothers of children with ID.
Development of a New Attention Rating Scale for Children With Intellectual Disability: The Scale of Attention in Intellectual Disability (SAID)
Authors: Freeman Nerelie C. , Gray Kylie M. , Taffe John R. , Cornish Kim M.
Published: February 2015

Difficulties with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are thought to be as common among children with intellectual disability (ID) as they are in children without ID. Despite this, there is a lack of scales to specifically assess ADHD symptomatology in children and adolescents with ID. This article describes the development and evaluation of a teacher-completed measure; the Scale of Attention in Intellectual Disability (SAID). A community survey of 176 teachers of children 5–13 years of age, with ID at all levels of impairment indicated that the T-SAID is a reliable and valid measure. Integrating this scale with neuropsychological and clinical research holds exciting promise for enhancing our understanding of the nature of attention difficulties within populations with ID.
The Ritter-Kolb Catalogue and its Impact on Research into CVs, LMXBs and related Objects
Authors: Ritter H. , Kolb U.
Published: February 2015

In the first part of this paper, the Ritter-Kolb catalogue (RKcat for short), its history and a few examples of its application to research in the field of cataclysmic variables are briefly described. In a second part we look forward to possible future applications of RKcat for the study of cataclysmic variables, low-mass X-ray binaries and related objects. Last but not least we also briefly comment on the future of the RKcat service itself.
Transient Processes in a Binary System with a White Dwarf
Authors: Kononov D. A. , Bisikalo D. V. , Puzin V. B. , Zhilkin A. G.
Published: February 2015

Using the results of 3D gas dynamic numerical simulations we propose a mechanism that can explain the quiescent multihumped shape of light curves of WZ Sge short-period cataclysmic variable stars. Analysis of the obtained solutions shows that in the modeled system an accretion disk forms. In the outer regions of the disk four shock waves occur: two arms of the spiral tidal shock; “hot line”, a shock wave caused by the interaction of the circum-disk halo and the stream from the inner Lagrangian point; and the bow-shock forming due to the supersonic motion of the accretor and disk in the gas of the circum-binary envelope. In addition, in our solutions we observe a spiral precessional density wave in the disk. This wave propagates from inside the disk down to its outer regions and almost rests in the laboratory frame in one orbital period. As a results every next orbital period each shock wave passes through the outer part of the density wave. Supplying these shocks with extra-density the precessional density wave amplifies them, which leads to enhanced energy release at each shock and may be observed as a brightening (or hump) in the light curve. Since the velocity of the retrograde precession is a little lower that the orbital velocity of the system, the same shock wave at every next orbital cycle interacts with the density wave later than at the previous cycle. This causes the observed shift of the humps over binary phases. The number of the shock waves, interacting with the density wave determines the largest number of humps that may be observed in one orbital period of a WZ Sge type star.
Supersoft X-Ray Source CAL 83: A Possible AE Aqr-like System
Authors: Odendaal A. , Meintjes P. J. , Charles P. A. , Rajoelimanana A. F.
Published: February 2015

CAL83 is a close binary supersoft X-ray source in the Large Magellanic Cloud. A ~67 s periodicity detected in supersoft X-rays is most probably associated with the spin period of a highly spun-up white dwarf (WD). The variability in the period is ascribed to the obscuration of the WD by the hydrogen burning envelope surrounding it, rotating with a period that is close to, but not quite synchronized with, the WD rotation period. Optical spectra obtained with SALT exhibit accretion disc emission lines with broad wing structures and P Cyg profiles, indicating mass outflows. Timing analysis of photometrical observations performed at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) revealed variable signals at ≤1 mHz which are thought to be associated with quasi-periodic oscillations from an accretion disc. The short spin period inferred for CAL83 can be the result of spin-up by accretion disc torques during a long mass transfer history, placing this source on a similar evolutionary track as the cataclysmic variable AE Aqr.
Why a New Code for Novae Evolution and Mass Transfer in Binaries?
Authors: Shaviv G. , Idan I. , Shaviv N. J.
Published: February 2015

One of the most interesting problems in Cataclysmic Variables is the long time scale evolution. This problem appears in long time evolution, which is also very important in the search for the progenitor of SN Ia. The classical approach to overcome this problem in the simulation of novae evolution is to assume: (1) A constant in time, rate of mass transfer. (2) The mass transfer rate that does not vary throughout the life time of the nova, even when many eruptions are considered. Here we show that these assumptions are valid only for a single thermonuclear flash and such a calculation cannot be the basis for extrapolation of the behavior over many flashes. In particular, such calculation cannot be used to predict under what conditions an accreting WD may reach the Chandrasekhar mass and collapse. We report on a new code to attack this problem. The basic idea is to create two parallel processes, one calculating the mass losing star and the other the accreting white dwarf. The two processes communicate continuously with each other and follow the time depended mass loss.
Broad-Band Variability in Accreting Compact Objects
Authors: Scaringi S.
Published: February 2015

Cataclysmic variable stars are in many ways similar to X-ray binaries. Both types of systems possess an accretion disk, which in most cases can reach the surface (or event horizon) of the central compact object. The main difference is that the embedded gravitational potential well in X-ray binaries is much deeper than those found in cataclysmic variables. As a result, X-ray binaries emit most of their radiation at X-ray wavelengths, as opposed to cataclysmic variables which emit mostly at optical/ultraviolet wavelengths. Both types of systems display aperiodic broad-band variability which can be associated to the accretion disk. Here, the properties of the observed X-ray variability in XRBs are compared to those observed at optical wavelengths in CVs. In most cases the variability properties of both types of systems are qualitatively similar once the relevant timescales associated with the inner accretion disk regions have been taken into account. The similarities include the observed power spectral density shapes, the rms-flux relation as well as Fourier-dependant time lags. Here a brief overview on these similarities is given, placing them in the context of the fluctuating accretion disk model which seeks to reproduce the observed variability.
Flickering in CVs and Accretion Disc Viscosity
Authors: Baptista R.
Published: February 2015

I review observational constraints on accretion disc viscosity inferred from changes of disc structure with time and from disc flickering distributions. The radial run of the disc viscosity parameter in four cases are presented and discussed.
Inner Disk Structure of Dwarf Novae in the Light of X-Ray Observations
Authors: Balman S.
Published: February 2015

Diversity of the X-ray observations of dwarf nova are still not fully understood. I review the X-ray spectral characteristics of dwarf novae during the quiescence in general explained by cooling flow models and the outburst spectra that show hard X-ray emission dominantly with few sources that reveal soft X-ray/EUV blackbody emission. The nature of aperiodic time variability of brightness of dwarf novae shows band limited noise, which can be adequately described in the framework of the model of propagating fluctuations. The frequency of the break (1-6 mHz) indicates inner disk truncation of the optically thick disk with a range of radii (3.0-10.0)×109 cm. The RXTE and optical (RTT150) data of SS Cyg in outburst and quiescence reveal that the inner disk radius moves towards the white dwarf and receeds as the outburst declines to quiescence. A preliminary analysis of SU UMa indicates a similar behaviour. In addition, I find that the outburst spectra of WZ Sge shows two component spectrum of only hard X-ray emission, one of which may be fitted with a power law suggesting thermal Comptonization occuring in the system. Cross-correlations between the simultaneous UV and X-ray light curves (XMM −Newton) of five DNe in quiescence show time lags in the X-rays of 96-181 sec consistent with travel time of matter from a truncated inner disk to the white dwarf surface. All this suggests that dwarf novae and other plausible nonmagnetic systems have truncated accretion disks indicating that the disks may be partially evaporated and the accretion may occur through hot (coronal) flows in the disk.
Investigating Long-Term Behaviour of X-ray Binaries Using Archival Data
Authors: Kotze M. M. , Charles P. A.
Published: February 2015

Long term modulations have been detected in a wide variety of both low and high-mass X-ray binaries. The All Sky Monitor on board the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer provides the most extensive (~15 years) and sensitive X-ray archive for studying such behaviour. Since those variations were often intermittent and/or aperiodic, we used a time-dependent Dynamic Power Spectrum method to examine how the modulations themselves vary with time in a systematic way. Some were found to be remarkably stable, while others show a range of properties, from even longer variability time-scales to quite chaotic behaviour.
Close-In Substellar Companions and the Formation of sdB-Type Close Binary Stars
Authors: Zhu L. Y. , Qian S. B. , Zhao E.-G. , Fernández Lajús E. , Han Z.-T.
Published: February 2015

The sdB-type close binaries are believed to have experienced a common-envelope phase and may evolve into cataclysmic binaries (CVs). About 10% of all known sdB binaries are eclipsing binaries consisting of very hot subdwarf primaries and low-mass companions with short orbital periods. The eclipse profiles of these systems are very narrow and deep, which benefits the determination of high precise eclipsing times and makes the detection of small and close-in tertiary bodies possible. Since 2006 we have monitored some sdB-type eclipsing binaries to search for the close-in substellar companions by analyzing the light travel time effect. Here some progresses of the program are reviewed and the formation of sdB-type binary is discussed.
A New Review of Old Novae
Authors: Pagnotta A.
Published: February 2015

Novae are certainly very exciting at the time of their eruptions, and there is much work left to be done in understanding all of the details of that part of their existence, but there is also much to be learned by looking at the systems decades, centuries, and even millennia after their peak. I give a brief overview of some of the history and motivation behind studying old novae and long-term nova evolution, and then focus on the state of the field today. Exciting new results are finally starting to shed some light on the secular behavior of post-nova systems, although as is often the case in astronomy, the observations are at times conflicting. As is always the case, we need more observations and better theoretical frameworks to truly understand the situation.
Early Super Soft Source Spectra in RS Oph
Authors: Ness J.-U.
Published: February 2015

Recent Swift X-ray monitoring campaigns of novae have revealed extreme levels of variability during the early super-softsource (SSS) phase. The first time this was observed was during the 2006 outburst of the recurrent nova RS Oph which was also extensively covered by grating observations with XMM-Newton and Chandra. I focus here on an XMM-Newton observation taken on day 26.1, just before Swift confirmed the start of the SSS phase, and a Chandra observation taken on day 39.7. The first observation probes the evolution of the shock emission produced by the collision of the nova ejecta with the stellar wind of the companion. The second observation contains bright SSS emission longwards of 15°A while at short wavelengths, the shock component can be seen to have hardly changed. On top of the SSS continuum, additional emission lines are clearly seen, and I show that they are much stronger than those seen on day 26.1, indicating line pumping caused by the SSS emission. The lightcurve on day 39.7 is highly variable on short time scales while the long-term Swift light curve was still variable. In 2007, we have shown that brightness variations are followed by hardness variations, lagging behind 1000 seconds. I show now that the hardness variations are owed to variations in the depth of the neutral hydrogen column density of order 25%, particularly affecting the oxygen K-shell ionization edge at 0.5 keV.
When a Nova Becomes Old
Authors: Ederoclite A. , Tappert C. , Schmidtobreick L. , Vogt N.
Published: February 2015

Here we present the preliminary results of a project aimed at unveiling the nature of classical novae decades after their eruption. The ultimate goal of this project is to describe the population of cataclysmic variables which give rise to nova explosions. So far, in four years of observations, we have concentrated on novae in the Southern hemisphere, where we increased by 100% the amount of objects spectroscopically confirmed and increased by 1/5 the amount of objects with known orbital period.
Spectroscopic Monitoring Observations of Nova V1724 Aql in 2012
Authors: Kajikawa T. , Nagashima M. , Kawakita H. , Arai A. , Ikeda Y. , Isogai M. , Fujii M. , Ayani K.
Published: February 2015

Spectroscopic and photometric monitoring observations of nova Apl 2012 (V1724 Apl) were conducted at Koyama Astronomical Observatory, Fujii-Kurosaki Observatory and Bisei Astronomical Observatory. The nova was initially considered as an outbursting pre-main-sequence young stellar object. Our monitoring observations have revealed the nova to be a Fe II type classical nova. The temporal evolution of spectra and light curves of the nova were similar to those of a slow nova (e.g., V1280 Sco and V5558 Sgr). We observed no evidence of molecule formation in V1724 Aql in contrast with V2676 Oph in which dust formation occurred after the molecular formation in the nova outflow.
Recurrent Novae — A Review
Authors: Mukai K.
Published: February 2015

In recent years, recurrent nova eruptions are often observed very intensely in wide range of wavelengths from radio to optical to X-rays. Here I present selected highlights from recent multi-wavelength observations. The enigma of T Pyx is at the heart of this paper. While our current understanding of CV and symbiotic star evolution can explain why certain subset of recurrent novae have high accretion rate, that of T Pyx must be greatly elevated compared to the evolutionary mean. At the same time, we have extensive data to be able to estimate how the nova envelope was ejected in T Pyx, and it turns to be a rather complex tale. One suspects that envelope ejection in recurrent and classical novae in general is more complicated than the textbook descriptions. At the end of the review, I will speculate that these two may be connected.
Properties of Recurrent Nova T Pyxidis Based on 2011 Outburst
Authors: Tanabe K.
Published: February 2015

We reexamine the properties of the recurrent nova T Pyxidis based on our own spectroscopic data accompanying with the photometric ones by VSOLJ (Variable Star Observers League in Japan) during 2011 outburst. One of the purpose of this paper is whether a missing outburst could be happen around 1988-1989. Comparing the 2011 outburst data with previous ones, we may conclude that any essential difference can not be found. Accordingly it is difficult to deny a small possibility of a ”missing” outburst from 1988 to 1989, taking into account the seasonal gap in its observation for northern hemisphere observers . The problem whether IM Normae belongs to be a member of T Pyx subclass or not is to be postponed by its next outburst taking into account of T Pyx’s peculiar spectral behavior.
Diagnostic of the Symbiotic Stars Environment by Thomson, Raman and Rayleigh Scattering Processes
Authors: Sekeráš M. , Skopal A.
Published: February 2015

Symbiotic stars are long-period interacting binaries consisting of a cool giant as the donor star and a white dwarf as the acretor. Due to acretion of the material from the giant’s stellar wind, the white dwarf becomes very hot and luminous. The circumstellar material partially ionized by the hot star, represents an ideal medium for processes of scattering. To investigate the symbiotic nebula we modeled the wide wings of the resonance lines OVI λ1032 Å, λ1038 Å and HeII λ1640 Å emission line in the spectrum of AG Dra, broadened by Thomson scattering. On the other hand, Raman and Rayleigh scattering arise in the neutral part of the circumstellar matter around the giant and provide a powerful tool to probe e.g. the ionization structure of the symbiotic systems and distribution of the neutral hydrogen atoms in the giant’s wind.
The Golden Age of Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects - II Concluding Address
Authors: Giovannelli F.
Published: February 2015

Before to conclude officially this workshop — far from me the idea to attempt some concluding remarks already dealt at the meeting with various burning by Joseph Patterson, Mariko Kato, Dmitry Bisikalo, and Rene Hudec —, I would like to comment few highlights coming out from our fruitful week of discussions about The Golden Age of Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects - II, without any pretension of completeness.
Wettability and swelling of acetylated and furfurylated wood analyzed by multicycle Wilhelmy plate method
Authors: Moghaddam Maziar Sedighi , Wålinder Magnus E.P. , Claesson Per M. , Swerin Agne
Published: February 2015

The wetting, dimensional stability and sorption properties of a range of modified wood samples obtained either by acetylation or furfurylation were compared with those of unmodified samples of the same wood species via a multicycle Wilhelmy plate method. Wettability measurements were performed with water and octane as the swelling and non-swelling liquids, respectively. It was found that acetylation reduces water uptake mainly by reducing the swelling. In comparison, furfurylation reduces both swelling and the void volume in the sample. To quantify the effect of the modification process of the wood properties, the parameters “liquid up-take reduction” and the “perimeter change reduction” were introduced, which were determined from multicycle Wilhelmy plate measurements. Compared with the acetylated wood, the furfurylated wood with a higher level of weight percent gain exhibited larger property changes on the surface and in terms of swelling and sorption properties.
Redetermination of the crystal structure of p-bromophenacyl bromide at 200 K – Localization of hydrogen atoms, C8H6Br2O
Authors: Hosten Eric C. , Betz Richard
Published: February 2015

C8H6Br2O, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 4.0853(2) Å, b = 9.6025(4) Å, c = 21.989(1) Å, V = 862.6 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0208, wRref(F2) = 0.0492, T = 200 K.
Surface plasmon coupled emission as a novel analytical platform for the sensitive detection of cysteine
Authors: Mulpur Pradyumna , Kurdekar Aditya , Podila Ramakrishna , Rao Apparao M. , Kamisetti Venkataramaniah
Published: February 2015

Thiolated amino acids are biologically important molecules due to their role in protein folding and structure. One such molecule is cysteine (Cys), which acts as a biomarker for diseases like cancer, HIV, sepsis, etc., making its rapid detection imperative and essential. In this study, we report the sensitive detection of the thiolated amino acid Cys, from the non-thiolated amino acid arginine (Arg), using the novel surface plasmon coupled emission (SPCE) platform, characterized with high signal-to-noise ratios. Our studies were performed on the conventional silver (Ag) SPCE substrate, where Cys was detected to a nanomolar level, which is a major improvement to the previously reported level of sensitivity. This can be attributed to the highly sensitive SPCE platform and the unique thiol-Ag interactions associated specifically with Cys. We have also shown the role and influence of the coating process on sensitivity of detection and substantiated the advantages of SPCE over the SPR-based strategy of detection. The simplistic and economical SPCE platform enabled the sensitive detection of Cys that is of biological and medical relevance.
Distribution of fish larvae on the Vitória-Trindade Chain, southwestern Atlantic
Authors: Stocco Luana Birchler , Joyeux Jean-Christophe
Published: February 2015

This work presents a checklist of ichthyoplankton collected along the Vitória-Trindade chain with oblique bongo hauls to a depth of 20 m in the summer and in the winter. Larvae were classified according the adult habitat as reef, epipelagic or mesopelagic. The variables season, depth, sampling time, environment type and distance from the continental shelf were used to test the correlation with the larval density of each larval category. In the summer, 3,897 larvae were captured (identified at the family, genera or species level, n = 44, 33 and 82, respectively) and 1,026 larvae were captured in the winter (19, 17 and 25, respectively). Only the variables season and environment type significantly affected density, with their influence varying among larval categories.
CPT Encapsulated Silica-titania Hollow Nanoparticle Targeting SK-BR-3 Cells for efficient Anticancer treatment
Authors: Jang Yoonsun , Jang Jyongsik
Published: February 2015

HER-conjugated hollow nanoparticles (HER–HNP, ca. 50 nm in diameter) are fabricated using a dissolution and re-deposition method and used to encapsulate camptothecin (CPT). The HER-HNP-CPT is used as an anti-cancer agent for human breast cancer SK-BR-3. It has excellent mono-dispersity and a high loading efficiency for CPT. Two kind of cell lines are used in this study; SK-BR-3 and RAW 264.7. SK-BR-3 and RAW 264.7 are used as targeting and controlling cell line, respectively. When SK-BR-3 cells are treated with HER-HNP-CPT, the viability decreased to 55%, which is ca. 1.5 times higher anti-cancer efficiency in comparison to RAW 264.7. The HER-HNP-CPT system offers a new opportunity to facilitate implementation of a hydrophobic drug for effective anti-cancer treatment of SK-BR-3 cells.
Study of Back-Channel Defect States on Bottom-Gate IGZO TFTs Using Capacitance-Voltage Analysis
Authors: Mudgal T. , Walsh N. , Edwards N. , Manley R.G. , Hirschman K.D.
Published: February 2015

This work investigates the quality of back-channel passivation applied to sputter-deposited IGZO bottom-gate TFTs. Passivation materials investigated were alumina, silicon dioxide, and B-staged bisbenzocyclobutene-based (BCB) resins. Sputtered quartz and PECVD (TEOS) SiO2rendered the IGZO material highly conductive (ρ< 0.01 Ω·cm), with subsequent annealing in oxidizing ambient unable to restore a high-resistivity state. Appropriate channel resistivity was restored on devices passivated with electron-beam evaporated alumina and spin-coated BCB when followed by annealing in air. Alumina passivated devices demonstrated improved stability; however slight distortions in measured I-V and C-V characteristics were observed. TCAD simulation was used to develop an IGZO material/device model, with results indicating the significant presence of oxygen-vacancy (OV) interface traps and negative fixed charge remaining at the back-channel.
Microsphere-assisted Fabrication of Ultra-high Aspect-ratio PDMS Micropillars for Bio-inspired Acoustic Sensing
Authors: Paek Jungwook , Kim Jaeyoun
Published: February 2015

We developed a new soft-lithographic fabrication technique which enables the realization of high aspect-ratio PDMS micropillars. The key enabling factor is the adoption of the direct drawing technique incorporated with the in situ heating for simultaneous hardening and solidification of the PDMS micropillars. In addition, our technique allows self-aligned installation of highly reflective microspheres at the tips of the micropillars. Using the transparent PDMS micropillar as a flexible waveguide and the microsphere as a self-aligned reflector, we transformed the microsphere-tipped PDMS micropillars into all optically interrogated acoustic sensors inspired by the cricket’s filiform hairs and successfully demonstrated the sensing capability.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OF SECONDARY SILUMINS BY USING REFINING-MODIFYING, HEAT AND LASER TREATMENTS
Authors: Volchok I. P. , Skuibida O. L. , Liutova O. V. , Shyrokobokova N. V.
Published: February 2015

Purpose. As a rule secondary silumins are characterized by lower quality than their primary analogues. During manufacture of alloys a large quantity of intermetallides, first of all on the basis of iron, in their structure is ignored. To achieve the optimum level of properties it is necessary to search for ways to adapt refining-modifying, heat and laser treatments to peculiarities of the structure of secondary Al-Si alloys. Methodology. The research was carried out by using standard methods of metallographic analysis, determination of foundry, mechanical and service properties of alloys according to rotatable plans of multifactor experiments. Findings. It was established, that refining-modifying treatment is a required procedure during manufacture of secondary silumins as it permits to effectively influence the iron-containing phases' segregations by changing their morphology, size and distribution and to increase the effectiveness of further treatment in solid state. It was found that standard modes of heat treatment are not optimal for secondary silumins. Laser treatment has shown high effectiveness in increasing of strength, wear resistance, corrosion and cavitation resistance of secondary Al-Si alloys, and the increased iron content contributed to additional solid solution hardening. Originality. It was established, that after refining-modifying treatment the phase Al5SiFe, which crystallizes in the shape of long stretched plates transformed into phase Al15(FeMn)3Si2 in skeletal or polyhedral shape. The relationship between iron content in secondary silumins and holding time during heat treatment that ensures optimum of mechanical properties was obtained. It was proved that the presence of iron-containing intermetallides Al5SiFe results in the decrease of hardened layer's depth during laser treatment. It was established, that with increasing of iron concentration the corrosion rate of secondary silumins in 3 % NaCl + 0.1 % H2O2 and 10 % HCl environments increases. Practical value. The offered technical solutions are instrumental in upgrading second silumins to the level which allows to utilize them as raw material for making of alloys on the basis of aluminium.
THE BASIS OF RESONANCE-STRUCTURE THEORY FOR VIBROIMPACT UNLOADING OF THE VEHICLES
Authors: Iskovych-Lototskyi R. D. , Ivanchuk Ya. V. , Veselovskyi Ya. P.
Published: February 2015

Purpose. The use of the main provisions of the resonance-structure theory for theoretical study of basic physical and mechanical processes taking place in unloading material during the vibrimpact discharge in order to substantiate the efficiency of their application. Methodology. Unloading material during vibroimpact unloading, as the study object, appeared as phenomenological model of spatial dispersion medium. The dynamics equations of unsteady forced particle oscillations of the "linked" structure under the action of vibration and impact loadings, taking into account the vibro rheological effect, with the establishment of resonance zones were considered. Findings. When considering the resonance zones of unstable forced oscillations of the "linked" structure particles it was found out that under the influence of vibration loadings the system is effectively affected by the monoharmonic pulse of external forces in the form of sinusoidal wave with an angular frequency. This frequency is equal to the main frequency of the natural oscillations of the unloading material. Under the impact loading it is necessary to affect the system by the accumulation of external force pulses in the form of single instant impulse. Under the given load conditions in these systems the phenomenon of resonance, which provides absolute deformation in handling system of the "linked" structure of the material due to discrete growth in the range of plastic deformations takes place. Absolute deformation, resulting in handling material exceed the permissible elastic deformations for the particles of this system and the destruction of the contact zones of these particles takes place. Originality. The authors studied unstable forced oscillations of the "linked" structure particles based on the phenomenological model of the spatial dispersion medium of unloading material. Thus, for each type of vibro-impact loads were calculated the conditions for resonant processes. That was presented by the relevant type of the actuating force. Practical value. The main provisions of the resonance-structural theory in theoretical study of the vibroimpact load processes prove the use efficiency of the vibroimpact equipment to increase the intensity of the vehicles unloading. The use of resonance-structural theory allows predicting the required parameters of vibro-impact loading on the unloading material, depending on its physical and mechanical properties that ensures the efficient unloading due to the destruction of the power relations of unloading material particles.
INVESTIGATION OF SCALE-INVARIANT PROPERTY OF ORGANIZATION SYSTEM OF TRAIN TRAFFIC VOLUME BASED ON THE PERCOLATION THEORY
Authors: Prokhorchenko A. V.
Published: February 2015

Purpose. The work is devoted to the study the property of scaling invariance of the organization system of train traffic volume on Ukrainian railways. Methodology. To prove the real network origin of Trains Formation Plan (TFP) destination to the type of socalled scale-invariant networks it is proposed to generate scale-free networks with different dimensions, Barabási–Albert type with parameters that real networks of TFP destination has and to investigate their structure on survivability using the procedure of percolation nodes. Percolation process is proposed to be considered as a modified version of the spatial movement of cars on the network by increasing the number of railway stations, which have lost the ability to perform the basic function to pass cars on TFP destination in terms of adverse effects (an accident, overload). Findings. Comparative analysis of percolation at random and targeted destructive impact on network nodes has shown matching with the results of real network percolation of TFP destination, which proves the existence of self-similarity. Comparable figures in percolation were: percentage of remote stations in the network, in which the network fragmentation occurs, the average inverse path between network nodes, the diameter of the graph structure, the size meaning of the second largest cluster in the network from the steps of destruction. Originality. For the first time the hypothesis of the existence of scaling invariance properties of the graph TFP destinations on the railways of Ukraine, which can be attributed to a class of the graph scale-free networks was confirmed. Existing knowledge in the field theory of scale-free networks can be used to describe the survivability of system transportation on the railways of Ukraine. Practical value. Based on the identified properties of system directions of train traffic volumes, it is possible to create a mathematical model in the future that will predict the behavior of the transportation system with network structure. Properties analysis of system survivability of train traffic volumes will optimize the use of capital investments to increase network capacity by identifying the most critical lines and stations that systematically affect the efficiency of the network as a whole.
WHEELSET AXLE WITH THE CAVITY OF UNIFORM CROSS SECTION
Authors: Kolesnykov S. R. , Romaniukha M. R. , Kebal I. Yu.
Published: February 2015

Purpose. Due to operation in complex loading conditions, the rolling stock wheelsets should provide high reliability, since the train traffic safety largely depends on them. Design and technical condition of wheelsets affect the smoothness, intensity of forces generated by the interaction between the car and track, and the motion resistance. Specificity of the axle operation consists in the fact that it undergoes the bending stresses under loading. These stresses are unevenly distributed along the cross-sectional area, reaching the highest values in the outer fibers and the minimal values in the internal ones. This aspect sets the problem of replacement of the uniform cross section with the hollow cross section. The disadvantages of hollow axle design, which are used at the present time, should include a significant manufacturing complexity of the variable section cavity. The purpose is to develop a modernized design of the wheelset axle. Methodology. A construction of the hollow axle having an inner longitudinal cylindrical through hole of the constant diameter throughout its length was proposed. The item is made of steel seamless tube. The inner surface of the tube is treated by mechanical means to remove the voltage concentrations in the internal longitudinal cylindrical through hole, which has a constant diameter along the entire length of the axle. Findings. Application of this design will facilitate manufacturing of the hollow axle and the machining of the inner longitudinal through hole, while retaining all the use advantages of the hollow axle in the rolling stock wheel pairs. Another use advantage of the hollow axle of this design is the absence of partial heterogeneity of the metal, which is inevitably, occurs during the solid axles blanking. Originality. A new design of the wheelset hollow axle of railway rolling stock was proposed. Practical value. Introduction of the new design simplifying the manufacture and mechanical treatment of the inner cavity of the wheel pair axle will bring significant economic benefits. According to preliminary calculations, the use of the axle with the uniform cross section cavity will reduce the metal consumption by 100-110 kg.
INVESTIGATION OF DYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF GONDOLA CARS ON PERSPECTIVE BOGIES
Authors: Myamlin S. V. , Bubnov V. M. , Pysmennyi Ye. O.
Published: February 2015

Purpose. In this paper, it is necessary to examine the dynamic properties of the gondola car with bogies, model 18-1711 when it moves on straight and curved sections of a track. Methodology. The calculations were performed using the object-oriented programming on the program "Dynamics of Rail Vehicles" ("DYNRAIL" Myamlin S.V. registered 20.03.2003). Mathematical models of a gondola car and bogies 18-100 and 18-711 were created for the calculations. Findings. Dynamic performances comparison of the gondola car with bogies 18-1711 and the gondola car with bogies 18-100, obtained by calculation method was carried out. Originality. Firstly calculations in order to determine the dynamic properties of the gondola car with bogies 18-1711 when it moves on straight and curved sections of track were performed. At the same time an assessment of the dynamic characteristics of the gondola car was made. The following dynamic standards were determined: the coefficient of vertical dynamics (Cdv), the coefficient of horizontal dynamics (Cdh), and the safety factor against derailment (SFd). Track irregularities in vertical and horizontal transverse planes were assigned as perturbations. They should be so that the dynamic indexes of the widely used in operation gondola car on bogies model 18-100 keep in admissible range of speeds up to 80km / h for the empty gondola car and at speeds up to 90km / h for the loaded gondola cars. Practical value. As a result of the calculations and comparisons of their results, we have findings that the use of bogies with bilinear characteristic of the central suspension will improve the dynamic performances of gondola cars, currently operating on bogies, model 18-100. And by improving the dynamic performances it is possible to increase the permissible speeds of these cars motion.