bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Xenotransfusion of anemic cats with blood compatibility issues: pre‐ and posttransfusion laboratory diagnostic and crossmatching studies
Authors: Euler Catharina C. , Raj Karthik , Mizukami Keijiro , Murray Louise , Chen Chi‐Ya , Mackin Andrew , Giger Urs
Published: May 2016

Background

Finding compatible feline blood donors can be challenging. Canine blood has been occasionally used when compatible feline blood was not available in emergency situations.

Objectives

The study goals were to describe the effects of xenotransfusion in 2 anemic cats receiving canine blood because of discordant blood types and acute transfusion reaction, respectively, and to report in vitro heterotyping and crossmatching results between canine and feline blood samples.

Material and Methods

Blood samples from patients and other cats and dogs were typed, crossmatched, and assessed for alloantibodies using gel, card, and immunochromatographic strip techniques.

Results

Cat 1 was found to have typeABblood. Cat 2, which experienced an acute transfusion reaction, had type A blood. Neither had detectable alloantibodies against felineRBC. Both cats transiently improved after transfusion with canine blood; however, acute intravascular hemolysis occurred and thePCVrapidly declined. Blood typing post xenotransfusion withDEA1 strips revealed a positive control band that was absent in feline blood, thus allowing for the identification of transfused canineRBC. Longitudinal assessment revealed that canineRBCcould no longer be detected 4 days after xenotransfusion.

Major crossmatching (feline plasma with canineRBC) resulted in both positive and negative reactions, depending on the cat. Minor crossmatching results showed mostly incompatibility.

Conclusion

While both cats survived xenotransfusion, the positive control band on theDEA1 strip revealed that transfused canineRBCwere short‐lived and intravascular hemolysis occurred. Crossmatch results between cats and dogs showed varied incompatibilities and may not predict transfusion reactions.
Precious metals in urban waste
Authors: Prichard Hazel M. , Wedin Francis , Sampson Jean , Jackson Matthew T. , Fisher Peter C.
Published: May 2016

Samples of incinerator ash from sewage operations in the UK have been analysed and all contain concentrations of over 1 ppm gold (Au), ranging up to 7 ppm, showing a remarkable consistency of enrichment for all the 9 incinerators sampled. Samples analysed from 2005 to 2007 and in 2014 all have elevated values showing a consistency of high Au grades over time as well as between incinerators. One dried sewage sample also has elevated Au values averaging 721 ppb. Rounded grains of Au, 2–3 microns in diameter, have been located in the incinerator ash. Our results indicate that this ash produced from incinerated sewage contains Au, with associated platinum‐group elements (PGE) and silver (Ag). This forms a polymetallic resource which may be economic to recover and recycle. Tests to extract these precious metals from the ash are ongoing.
Implementation of Symptom Protocols for Nurses Providing Telephone‐Based Cancer Symptom Management: A Comparative Case Study
Authors: Stacey Dawn , Green Esther , Ballantyne Barbara , Tarasuk Joy , Skrutkowski Myriam , Carley Meg , Chapman Kim , Kuziemsky Craig , Kolari Erin , Sabo Brenda , Saucier Andréanne , Shaw Tara , Tardif Lucie , Truant Tracy , Cummings Greta G. , Howell Doris
Published: May 2016

Background

The pan‐Canadian Oncology Symptom Triage and Remote Support (COSTaRS) team developed 13 evidence‐informed protocols for symptom management.

Aim

To build an effective and sustainable approach for implementing the COSTaRS protocols for nurses providing telephone‐based symptom support to cancer patients.

Methods

A comparative case study was guided by the Knowledge to Action Framework. Three cases were created for three Canadian oncology programs that have nurses providing telephone support. Teams of researchers and knowledge users: (a) assessed barriers and facilitators influencing protocol use, (b) adapted protocols for local use, (c) intervened to address barriers, (d) monitored use, and (e) assessed barriers and facilitators influencing sustained use. Analysis was within and across cases.

Results

At baseline, >85% nurses rated protocols positively but barriers were identified (64‐80% needed training). Patients and families identified similar barriers and thought protocols would enhance consistency among nurses teaching self‐management. Twenty‐two COSTaRS workshops reached 85% to 97% of targeted nurses (N= 119). Nurses felt more confident with symptom management and using the COSTaRS protocols (p< .01). Protocol adaptations addressed barriers (e.g., health records approval, creating pocket versions, distributing with telephone messages). Chart audits revealed that protocols used were documented for 11% to 47% of patient calls. Sustained use requires organizational alignment and ongoing leadership support.

Linking Evidence to Action

Protocol uptake was similar to trials that have evaluated tailored interventions to improve professional practice by overcoming identified barriers. Collaborating with knowledge users facilitated interpretation of findings, aided protocol adaptation, and supported implementation. Protocol implementation in nursing requires a tailored approach. A multifaceted intervention approach increased nurses’ use of evidence‐informed protocols during telephone calls with patients about symptoms. Training and other interventions improved nurses’ confidence with using COSTaRS protocols and their uptake was evident in some documented telephone calls. Protocols could be adapted for use by patients and nurses globally.
INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECTS OF BIODIESEL-DIESEL FUEL BLENDS ON THE PERFORMANCE AND EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF A DIESEL ENGINE
Authors: Shirneshan Alireza , Nedayali Amin
Published: May 2016

The growing demand of diesel power generators in Iran has led to air pollution. Hence, it is necessary to ascertain the level of performance and emissions of the diesel power generators fueled with biofuels. For the first time, in this study, the effect of biodiesel from waste cooking oil and diesel fuel blends (B0, B20, B50, B80 and B100) on the performance (brake power, brake torque, BSFC, brake thermal efficiency and exhaust gas temperature) and emission characteristics (CO and NOx) of a diesel power generator model CAT3412 was investigated. The experiments were conducted at rated engine speed 1530 rpm and various engine loads (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%). The results of the study showed an increase in brake power, brake torque, BTE and NOx emission and a reduction trend in BSFC and CO emission at higher engine loads for all the biodiesel-diesel blends. In addition, the research results indicated that B20 and B50 fuel blends in terms of performance emission characteristics could be recognized as the potential candidates to be certificated for usage in the diesel power generator.
SIMULATION STUDY OF CONVEX CORNER UNDERCUTTING IN KOH AND TMAH FOR A MEMS PIEZORESISTIVE ACCELEROMETER
Authors: Yusof Norliana , Soin Norhayati , C. W. Noorakma Abdullah
Published: May 2016

Undercutting is a common problem in wet anisotropic etching. This problem in turn, influences the performance and sensitivity of MEMS devices. This paper investigates the use of corner compensation to prevent convex corner undercutting in a MEMS piezoresistive accelerometer. The Intellisuite CAD simulation software was used for designing the mask with corner compensation and for analysing wet anisotropic etching profiles in potassium hydroxide (KOH) and tetra-methyl-ammonium-hydroxide (TMAH) solutions at different concentrations and temperatures. Perfect 90 degrees corners on the proof mass  was successfully etched using a corner compensation design at etching temperature of 63 °C for KOH and 67.7 °C for TMAH with 25 wt% and 10.3 wt% concentration levels, respectively. Etching in TMAH required lower concentration level, thus making the etching process safer. However, TMAH required longer time to etch perfect convex corners compared to KOH. Nevertheless, both KOH and TMAH etchants have been successfully used to etch perfect convex corners by using the designed corner compensation mask.
A NOVEL APPROACH OF DEMAND SIDE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR RESIDENTIAL CONSUMERS IN SMART GRID
Authors: S. Sofana Reka , V. Ramesh
Published: May 2016

In this paper, Demand Side Management scheme in a smart grid environment is proposed as a feature of reducing the peak demand for residential users and maximizing the profit for the utility. A smart grid scenario is considered for detailed analysis. Non-cooperative game theory approaches are generalized in this methodology for solving two dynamic conditions such as reducing peak demand and maximize the utility profit with respect to the users comfort. In this work a new strategy is developed among the various users for scheduling of appliances autonomously. Extensive simulations are carried out using actual load profiles and obtained results demonstrates reduction in Peak to average ratio. In addition the proposed system is analyzed by considering the changes in climatic conditions of summer and winter for a particular region.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS FOR TERENGGANU FORWARD SCATTER RADAR SEASIDE CLUTTER
Authors: Ismail Nor Najwa , Abd Rashid Nur Emileen , Ismail Khan Zuhani
Published: May 2016

The statistical analysis for Terengganu, Malaysia seaside clutter is presented in this paper. The measured clutter data were collected using a prototype of forward scatter radar (FSR) micro-sensor network with very high frequency (VHF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF) bands. Four categories of clutter strength were recorded during the measurements, which are low, medium, strong and very strong clutter. The classes were divided according to the wind speed occurred during the measurements period. The analysis is to determine the best-fit distribution model for the measured clutter data. Four types of distribution models are used in this analysis, which are Weibull, Gamma, Log-Logistic and Log-Normal distribution. One of the goodness of fit (GOF) tests called root mean square error (RMSE) is used to prove which distribution is a better fit to the probability distribution of the measured clutter data. The obtained results show that for 64 MHz with all clutter level strength, Weibull distribution provides better fit and records the lowest RMSE. Weibull distribution also fits best to the clutter data for low clutter of 151 MHz. However, for the rest of clutter level strength for 151 MHz, Gamma distribution is the best-fitted model with lowest RMSE values. Log-Logistic distribution proves to be the best fitted model to all clutter level strength of clutter data for 434 MHz with smallest RMSE values.
JOINT POWER ALLOCATION FOR DF CONCATENATED MIMO SUCCESSIVE RELAYING SCHEME UNDER NETWORK POWER CONSTRAINTS
Authors: Orikumhi Igbafe , Yen Leow Chee
Published: May 2016

Power efficiency is a vital consideration in wireless system. In this paper, we propose a framework for efficient power allocation in decode and forward multiple input multiple output successive relaying systems under network power constraints.  Our aim is to maximize the information rate at each link by an optimal power allocation scheme via the primal dual algorithm. Then, we jointly allocate power to the source and transmitting relay under network power constraints. The simulated results show that the proposed joint power allocation scheme under network power constraint can outperform the uniform power allocation under an aggregate power constraints.
APPLICATION OF GROUND PLANE IN OPTIMIZATION OF MOBILE MEASUREMENT TEST FOR LTE NETWORK COVERAGE
Authors: Yusof Azita Laily , Abdul Rahim Ahmad Fathi , Haji Nasro Ali Mohd Saufi , Ya’acob Norsuzila , Zainali Aiman , Ismail Melati
Published: May 2016

Nowadays, the cellular communication evolution had shown that the demand for two-way voice communication had decreased against data rate demand after the globalization of Internet usage. This is where the cellular systems took another phase of evolution with Long Term Evolution (LTE) known as the fourth generation of cellular systems. LTE network is a system of packet switched network where the architecture had been simplified from the previous Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) which is known as the third generation of cellular system. By having a simpler architecture than previous generation technology, the LTE standard has high data performance in wireless mobility. In measuring the performance of the LTE coverage, a lot of cost had been spent for the radio frequency optimization where the activity had been for the unwanted location where the poor coverage area is not applicable. This study is expected to optimize the data collection methodologies in mobile measurement in which could also be the turnkey of the current Telecommunications industry in benchmarking, new site implementation, solving customer complaints, and other related data collection services. The aim of this study is to develop an advanced measurement of LTE coverage by applying a sheet of electrical conductive material with two different sizes under the measurement device, and to determine the effectiveness of the proposed method. To determine the effective method in mobile measurement, the measured value of the conventional measurement will be compared with the proposed method together with the theoretical value of the measurement.
IMPEDANCE MODELLING OF METAMATERIAL STRUCTURE BASED ON DOUBLE QUAD-SQUARE SPLIT RING RESONATOR (DQS-SRR) AT 2.4 GHZ AND 7.4 GHZ
Authors: Azman Adibah , Salleh Azahari , Abd Aziz Mohamad Zoinol Abidin , Suaidi Mohd Kadim , Sulaiman Hamzah Asyrani
Published: May 2016

This paper represents the impedance modelling of metamaterial structure based on Double Quad-Square Split ring Resonator (DQS-SRR). The impedance was modelled for DQS-SRR design structures. This structure simulation works had been done in CST Microwave Studio simulation software while the impedance was modelled by using polynomial type in Matlab for resistance, R, and reactance, X, of the impedance. The modelling of the impedance was based on the length of U-slot arm (Larm) and the width of U-slot arm gap (Wgap) of the DQS-SRR design structure .The impedances were divided into the certain ranges of length and width for dimensions of DQS-SRR so that an accurate impedance modelling was produced. The impedance was modelled for the resonant frequency of 2.4 GHz and 7.4 GHz. This DQS-SRR structure has potential application to improve of pyramidal microwave absorber to for certain frequency range.
IMPACT OF MULTIPLAY TRANSMISSION IN MOBILE WIMAX USING OVERLAY SCANNING
Authors: Ya'acob Norsuzila , Mohd Akhir Akmarya Syukhairilnisah , Adlan Fazida , Yusof Azita Laily , Ali Mohd Saufi Nasro , Sarnin Suzi Seroja
Published: May 2016

The growing demand for mobile internet and wireless multimedia applications has motivated the development of broadband wireless-access technologies in recent years. There are several issues that could impact the base station handover as a serious problem in the mobile communication system. In hard handover, a short time break known as handover interruption decreases the quality-of-services (QoS) due to connection between mobile subscriber station (MS) and serving base station (BS) is closed and ranging hand initiation to establish new connection. Prolonged time of request and response due to number of neighbours to scan will cause delay in handover process. This research proposed performance analysis of WiMAX/IEEE 802.16 with mobility supported to scan the channels provided by the mobile station. The proposed strategy required the mobile station for operation with a scan that can be used to reduce the time when trying to establish a network connection or do between neighboring base station handover. A second type is the fast handover that is proposed to reduce the unnecessary surrender to six different access modes. The mobile WiMAX air interface utilizes orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) as the preferred multiple-access method in the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) for improved multipath performance and bandwidth scalability. All simulations are run using MATLAB software to develop a new Overlay Scanning Mechanism (OSMA) algorithm. OSMA mainly focus on when to perform a scan to estimate future needs. Simulation results are expected to show WiMAX coverage by using real world data to detect movement and show that there are strategies that reduce the time required for scanning operations significantly.
A NEW METHOD FOR DETECTION OF UNBALANCE VOLTAGE SUPPLY IN THREE PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR
Authors: Sheikh Muhammad Aman , Mohd Nor Nursyarizal , Ibrahim Taib
Published: May 2016

Induction motors are associated with various techno-economic advantages; therefore these are widely used in residential, commercial and industrial systems. Cost effective and reliable process of condition monitoring of induction motor is very important. It is found that unbalance voltage supply is one of the major factors that produce uneven heating due to reverse current and leads to inter-turn short circuit. The issue regarding unbalanced voltage supply has attracted the attention of researcher and engineers in recent past. In this paper, a new effective non-invasive (online) method is proposed that only use rotor harmonic current signature for the detection of unbalance voltage supply instead of main line current signature. This is a sensor-less and online approach that accomplishes the reliable and accurate analysis of the induction motors. Moreover, it allows a continuous real time tracking without disturbing the normal operation and guarantees the overall production process. Additionally, this method recognizes the unbalance and estimate the severity of the unbalance in the voltage source. The effects of unbalance voltage supply are investigated through experiments. In order to perform the analysis and detect the asymmetry due to unbalance voltage, an experimental set up is designed that can accurately repeat the measurements. In the proposed work, unbalance voltage supply is diagnosed through experimental hardware setup. To validate the propose methods an experiment is performed that confirm that motor operating under unbalance voltage supply give a significant rise in the rotor harmonic while under balance voltage supply there is so such a rise in the rotor harmonic.
RELAY NODE POSITIONING FOR INTER-BAND CARRIER AGGREGATION WITH ASYMMETRICAL COVERAGE
Authors: Mohamad Syamsul Bahri , Leow Chee Yen , Rahman Tharek Abdul
Published: May 2016

Relaying and carrier aggregation are two main features for Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A) that improve the signal and increase the data rate. In an inter-band carrier aggregation scenario, the use of component carriers with large frequency gaps results in asymmetrical coverage. The asymmetrical coverage leads to the capacity fairness issue, where users at the cell edge always suffer from low capacity. This paper studies the use of relay node to solve the capacity fairness issue due to asymmetrical coverage in inter-band carrier aggregation scenario with two component carrier. The effects of relay position to the capacity of cell edge user is investigated by considering various combinations of the component carrier, heights and transmit power of base station and the relay node. The simulation reveals that the relay node can be placed inside the overlapped coverage region of asymmetrical coverage in order to improve the capacity and show that for average cases the relay node should be placed close to the cell edge user.
VARIATIONS IN TOTAL ELECTRON CONTENT DURING THE PHASES OF LOW AND HIGH SOLAR ACTIVITIES
Authors: Homam Mariyam Jamilah , Ahmad Hapizudin Mohamad Aizat Ezri
Published: May 2016

Variations in the Total Electron Content of the ionosphere were studied by utilizing data from the GISTM receiver installed at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. The study was conducted during periods of low solar activity (July 2007–July 2008) and high solar activity (July 2013–July 2014). Results show that the TEC are dependent on the solar activity.The values during high solar activity were significantly higher than that obtained during the solar minimum phase. The minimum TEC values for both phases varied between 89% and 97%, and the maximum TEC values varied between 70% and 81%. The pattern of daily TEC value changes was constant, and TEC peaked in the afternoon at ~14 LT. The highest TEC recorded during the solar maximum phase was 144.5 TEC Unit (TECU) in April 2014, whereas the highest TEC recorded during the solar minimum phase was 36.3 TECU in April 2008. TEC was maximized from March to May under both solar maximum and minimum phases.
STUDY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF TWO TOPOLOGY MULTILEVEL INVERTER
Authors: Nazar N.S.M. , Thanakodi S. , Othman N.A. , Hidzir H.D.M. , Mat M.S.
Published: May 2016

It has been accepted that conventional inverters have limitation dealing with high voltage and high power applications. Lately, multilevel inverters are popular for high power applications due to its improved harmonic profile and increased power ratings. There are various literatures regarding topology and control techniques of multilevel inverters. This paper presents the performance of two Flying Capacitor Multilevel Inverter (FCMI) topologies particularly a 3-level and 5-level multilevel inverters. Besides that, concept of the topologies and its modulation techniques were described. Sinusoidal pulse width modulation (SPWM) techniques were utilized in this paper as the topologies control strategy. Two control parameters, namely the amplitude modulation index, ma and the frequency modulation index, mfwere varied in order to control the output voltage of the inverters. The model and simulation study were carried out using Matlab/Simulink software. Analyses on the performance of the two topologies were based on the fundamental voltage, output voltage waveform, output harmonic spectrum and total harmonic distortion (THD). It’s found that the five level FCMI have shown better performance in terms of THD compared to the three level FCMI in all conditions of varied ma and mf. Based on the study also, five level FCMI shows a better voltage output waveform; close to a sinusoidal waveform compared to the three level FCMI.
CHARACTER SEGMENTATION METHOD FOR DIGITAL BACK-LIGHT CONSOLE UNDER DIFFERENT LIGHTING CONDITIONS
Authors: Niruttisai Siriwuttichai , Tangkawanit Settha , Kanprachar Surachet
Published: May 2016

Nowadays, the amount of electronics data has been significantly increased especially for the case of capturing images. One particular application regarding this is the image capturing of the monitoring console. The real information in such console image capturing is the characters on the console. To transfer or store the captured images, a large amount of data is required. Instead of storing the whole image, some image processing techniques could be applied in order to reduce the amount of data required.  In this paper, an image processing is done to the captured image by considering the value (V) parameter of the HSV (Hue, Saturation, and Value) color system. An adaptive threshold algorithm on V parameter is adopted for segmenting the console area and then the character areas from the whole image. Under different lighting conditions from 0 to 450 lux, the console area can be correctly selected. And, the characters appearing on the console area can be retrieved with 98 percent of accuracy.
LOW TEMPERATURE SPERM SELECTION METHOD TO SUPPORT BOVINE BREEDING INDUSTRY
Authors: Bhakti Tatag Lindu , Susanto Adhi , Santosa Paulus Insap , Widayati Diah Tri
Published: May 2016

This research proposed novel bovine sperm selection method based on sperm motility parameter to support bovine breeding industry. Sperm selection method consists of three main processes. First, decrease and holdbovine semen temperature at 4oC to reduce average sperm motility.Second, determine targeted sperm location which has highest motility within objective’s field of view after general motility observed decreasedinto 5% from initial value.Third, track targeted sperm and maintain holding temperature continuously until targeted sperm immotile and ready to be aspirated. Testing result showstemperature controller prototype can decrease bovine semen temperature safely without generate any intracellular ice. Micro actuator prototype can provide high motion performance exceed bovine sperm average velocity so it fully supporting motion detection software to perform real time bovine sperm tracking. Autofocus mechanism was succeedingincrease motion detection sensitivity using 4X, 10X and 40X objectives lens. All prototype devices developed in this research provide safely selection process to achieve high quality bovine sperm.
ISSUES OF PAYMENT PROCUREMENT PROCESS FOR INDUSTRIALISED BUILDING SYSTEM (IBS) PROJECT
Authors: Dzulkalnine Natasha , Azman Mohamed Nor Azhari , Bing Khuan Wai , Habidin Nurul Fadly , Ayub Abdul Rahman
Published: May 2016

This research paper intends to investigate the issues of payment procurement process for Industrialised Building System (IBS) Project. There are many differences of payment procurement process between conventional and IBS project. The IBS project requires upfront payment as compared with conventional project. Up to this moment, there is no single solution to this issue. Very often, the IBS contractor faces financial difficulty leading to the bankruptcy and delaying in the project completion. Thus, a preliminary study was undertaken with 21 samples of respondents that have a variety of background occupational. The findings from the study revealed that the issue of payment for IBS contractors comprises of five (5) main factors which are high initial cost, difficulty in securing timely and adequate financing, lack of integration at design stage, difficulty to get loans from financial institution and increment of material prices. Findings from this study may help the decision makers including the government or Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) to formulate a new procurement process especially for the IBS contractor. The findings will be used for the financial model framework for the IBS contractor in the future.
THE STUDY OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF LAMINATED BAMBOO STRIP (LBS) FROM GIGANTOCHLOA LEVIS TYPE MIXED WITH EPOXY
Authors: Kamarudin Muhammad Hafiz , Saringat Mohd Suri , Sulaiman Nor Hisham
Published: May 2016

This study about laminated bamboo strip from gigantochloa levis type mixed with epoxy composite. Due to the existence of demand for products that are comfortable, healthy and environmentally friendly, this research has focused on the use of renewable sources that is bamboo. Bamboos are some of fastest growing plant in the world and also have a higher compressive strength than wood, brick or concrete and a tensile strength that rivals steel. Certain species of bamboo can grow 35 inchies within 24 hour period, at a rate of 3 cm/h. That means bamboos can growth of approximately 1 mm every 2 minutes. In this study, the bamboo strip reinforced with epoxy was processed through hand lay-out method. Bamboo strips are combined with epoxy for a total sample thickness of 3 mm. This study is performed using the impact test that is Charpy (ASTM D-6110) and Izod (ASTM D-256) to measure the mechanical properties of energy absorbtion, followed by hardness test (ASTM D-1037). The 0, 60 and 90 degree of laminated bamboo strip epoxy composite with two types of load 7 kg and 14 kg has been tested. It is found that the 0 degree specimen Charpy test give the best value is 4.79 Joule energy absorbtion for 14 kg load. While for the Izod test, the best composition is also 0 degree with 4.51 Joule energy absorbtion for 14 kg load. It is shown that when the degree of bamboo laminate configuration increases, the impact absorbtion decrease. The result also shown that, when the load is increase the impact also increases. It means that got relative significant between bamboo strip configuration and load. The impact properties relate to the loading weight. The hardness test also shown that the laminated bamboo strip for 14 kg load resulting 91 rating, that is more higher than 7 kg load that is 84. It is shown that more loads will result more hardness rating for the laminated bamboo strip.
ISOTHERMS AND MORPHOLOGY OF NANOCOMPOSITE THIN FILMS DEPOSITED USING MODIFIED LANGMUIR-SCHAEFER TECHNIQUE
Authors: Malik S. , Naning Fatin Hana , Aziz Azyuni
Published: May 2016

Various techniques have been used to prepare polymer nanocomposite thin films that involve tedious work and consume considerable amount of materials and time. In this study, nanocomposite thin films of poly (3-hexylthiophene -2, 5-diyl) (P3HT), stearic acid and CdSe nanoparticles were fabricated by a stamping method which is a modification of Langmuir Schaefer technique. The CdSe nanoparticles were then grown in-situ between subsequent layers of thin film by gas exposure technique. Their surface-pressure (-A) isotherms and morphology were investigated. The surface-pressure isotherms revealed that, impurities in water subphase affect the profile of Langmuir monolayer. Stearic acid was found to be more dominant as compared to P3HT. The modified Langmuir Schaefer technique produced fairly smooth, large area nanocomposite thin films as shown by the AFM images. A prominent advantage of this procedure is that it requires only small amount of materials.
Off-Colour Landscape: Framing Race Equality in Sport Coaching
Authors: Rankin-Wright Alexandra J. , Hylton Kevin , Norman Leanne
Published: May 2016

The article examines how UK sport organizations have framed race equality and diversity, in sport coaching. Semistructured interviews were used to gain insight into organizational perspectives toward ‘race’, ethnicity, racial equality, and whiteness. Using Critical Race Theory and Black feminism, color-blind practices were found to reinforce a denial that ‘race’ is a salient factor underpinning inequalities in coaching. The dominant practices employed by key stakeholders are discussed under three themes: equating diversity as inclusion; fore fronting meritocracy and individual agency; and framing whiteness. We argue that these practices sustain the institutional racialised processes and formations that serve to normalize and privilege whiteness. We conclude that for Black and minoritised ethnic coaches to become key actors in sport coaching in the UK ‘race’ and racial equality need to be centered in research, policy and practice.
The Visibility of Female Athletes: A Comparison of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games Coverage in French, British, and Spanish Newspapers
Authors: Delorme Nicolas , Pressland Amy
Published: May 2016

The media coverage of sport events in relation to athletes’ sex has been extensively analyzed in the scientific literature. Apart from sports mega-events such as the Olympic Games, the findings of these studies seem consistent in that female participants are systematically underrepresented in sports media coverage. However, much of the research in this area relates to North America. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine sex equity in the coverage of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics by French, British and Spanish newspapers to provide new insights in this research field from a different cultural perspective. A content analysis was carried out and mixed results were found. French coverage shows significant discrimination of female athletes on most of the variables analyzed. Conversely, British coverage shows significant discrimination of male athletes on most of the variables studied. Finally, Spanish coverage is fair. These mixed results show the value of conducting such studies in geographical areas outside North America.
Understanding hygrosensation: How flies sense changes in humidity
Authors: VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: May 2016

Members of the IR family of ionotropic channels enable fruit flies to distinguish between small differences in humidity.
Bayesian Validation of the Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay and Its Superiority to the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay and the Complement Fixation Test for Detecting Antibodies against Coxiella burnetii in Goat Serum
Authors: Muleme Michael , Stenos John , Vincent Gemma , Campbell Angus , Graves Stephen , Warner Simone , Devlin Joanne M. , Nguyen Chelsea , Stevenson Mark A. , Wilks Colin R. , Firestone Simon M.
Published: May 2016

Although many studies have reported the indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) to be more sensitive in detection of antibodies to
Coxiella burnetii
than the complement fixation test (CFT), the diagnostic sensitivity (DSe) and diagnostic specificity (DSp) of the assay have not been previously established for use in ruminants. This study aimed to validate the IFA by describing the optimization, selection of cutoff titers, repeatability, and reliability as well as the DSe and DSp of the assay. Bayesian latent class analysis was used to estimate diagnostic specifications in comparison with the CFT and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The optimal cutoff dilution for screening for IgG and IgM antibodies in goat serum using the IFA was estimated to be 1:160. The IFA had good repeatability (>96.9% for IgG, >78.0% for IgM), and there was almost perfect agreement (Cohen's kappa > 0.80 for IgG) between the readings reported by two technicians for samples tested for IgG antibodies. The IFA had a higher DSe (94.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 80.3, 99.6) for the detection of IgG antibodies against
C. burnetii
than the ELISA (70.1%; 95% CI, 52.7, 91.0) and the CFT (29.8%; 95% CI, 17.0, 44.8). All three tests were highly specific for goat IgG antibodies. The IFA also had a higher DSe (88.8%; 95% CI, 58.2, 99.5) for detection of IgM antibodies than the ELISA (71.7%; 95% CI, 46.3, 92.8). These results underscore the better suitability of the IFA than of the CFT and ELISA for detection of IgG and IgM antibodies in goat serum and possibly in serum from other ruminants.
Nitrous oxide misuse and vitamin B12deficiency
Authors: Massey Thomas H , Pickersgill Trevor T , J Peall Kathryn
Published: May 2016

A 36-year-old man presented to hospital with a 5-week history of ascending limb paraesthesiae and balance difficulties. He had no medical or travel history of note, but admitted habitual nitrous oxide (N2O) inhalation. Neurological examination revealed a sensory ataxia with pseudoathetosis in the upper limbs and reduced vibration sensation to the hips bilaterally. Significant investigation results included a low serum vitamin B12concentration, mild macrocytosis and raised serum homocysteine concentration. T2 MRI of the spinal cord demonstrated increased signal extending from C1 to T11 in keeping with a longitudinal myelitis. The patient was diagnosed with a myeloneuropathy secondary to vitamin B12deficiency, resulting from heavy N2O inhalation. He was treated with intramuscular vitamin B12injections and received regular physiotherapy. At discharge, he was able to mobilise short distances with the aid of a zimmer frame, and was independently mobile 8 weeks later.
Sea lamprey carcasses exert local and variable food web effects in a nutrient-limited Atlantic coastal stream
Authors: Weaver Daniel M. , Coghlan Stephen M. , Zydlewski Joseph
Published: May 2016

Resource flows from adjacent ecosystems are critical in maintaining structure and function of freshwater food webs. Migrating sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) deliver a pulsed marine-derived nutrient subsidy to rivers in spring when the metabolic demand of producers and consumers are increasing. However, the spatial and temporal dynamics of these nutrient subsidies are not well characterized. We used sea lamprey carcass additions in a small stream to examine changes in nutrients, primary productivity, and nutrient assimilation among consumers. Algal biomass increased 57%–71% immediately adjacent to carcasses; however, broader spatial changes from multiple-site carcass addition may have been influenced by canopy cover. We detected assimilation of nutrients (via δ13C and δ15N) among several macroinvertebrate families including Heptageniidae, Hydropsychidae, and Perlidae. Our research suggests that subsidies may evoke localized patch-scale effects on food webs, and the pathways of assimilation in streams are likely coupled to adjacent terrestrial systems. This research underscores the importance of connectivity in streams, which may influence sea lamprey spawning and elicit varying food web responses from carcass subsidies due to fine-scale habitat variables.
Pretreatment with Astragaloside IV protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells from hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress and cell dysfunction via inhibiting eNOS uncoupling and NADPH oxidase – ROS – NF-κB pathway
Authors: Xu Chonghua , Tang Futian , Lu Meili , Yang Jing , Han Ronghui , Mei Meng , Hu Jin , Wang Hongxin
Published: May 2016

Endothelial cell injury caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disorders. Astragaloside IV (AsIV) possesses potent antioxidant properties against oxidative stress through undefined mechanism(s). We sought to investigate whether AsIV protects human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) induced oxidative stress focusing on eNOS uncoupling and the NADPH oxidase – ROS – NF-κB pathway. Compared with HUVECs incubated with H2O2 alone, pretreatment with AsIV significantly increased the viability of HUVECs, which was accompanied with apparent increase in nitric oxide (NO) production and decrease in intracellular superoxide anion production. Furthermore, pretreatment with AsIV increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) dimer/monomer ratio and its critical cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) content, decreased Nox4 protein expression (the most abundant Nox isoform in HUVECs), inhibited translocation of NF-κB p65 subunit into nuclear fraction while enhanced the protein expression of IκB-α (the inhibitor of NF-κB p65), reduced the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in HUVECs medium, and decreased iNOS protein expression. These results suggest that AsIV may protect HUVECs from H2O2-induced oxidative stress via inhibiting NADPH oxidase – ROS – NF-κB pathway and eNOS uncoupling.
Manipulable MR effect in a δ-doped magnetic nanostructure
Authors: Kong Yong-Hong , Jiang Ya-Qing , Fu Xi , Li Ai-Hua
Published: May 2016

A magnetoresistance (MR) device was proposed by depositing two nanosized ferromagnetic strips on top and bottom of the semiconductor heterostructure. For the sake of manipulating its performance, we introduce a tunable [Formula: see text]-potential into this device with the help of the atomic-layer doping technique such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) or metal-organic chemical-vapor deposition (MOCVD). We investigate theoretically the impact of the [Formula: see text]-doping on the magnetoresistance ratio (MMRR) of the MR device. Although the [Formula: see text]-doping is embedded in the device, a considerable MR effect still exists due to different transmissions for the electron across parallel (P) and antiparallel (AP) configurations. Moreover, its MMRR varies sensitively with the magnitude and/or position of the [Formula: see text]-doping. Such an MR device can be controlled by changing the [Formula: see text]-doping, resulting in an adjustable MR device for magnetoelectronics applications.
Optoelectronic Chaos in a Simple Light Activated Feedback Circuit
Authors: Joiner K. L. , Palmero F. , Carretero-González R.
Published: May 2016

The nonlinear dynamics of an optoelectronic negative feedback switching circuit is studied. The circuit, composed of a bulb, a photoresistor, a thyristor and a linear resistor, corresponds to a nightlight device whose light is looped back into its light sensor. Periodic bifurcations and deterministic chaos are obtained by the feedback loop created when the thyristor switches on the bulb in the absence of light being detected by the photoresistor and the bulb light is then looped back into the nightlight to switch it off. The experimental signal is analyzed using tools of delay-embedding reconstruction that yield a reconstructed attractor with fractional dimension and positive Lyapunov exponent suggesting chaotic behavior for some parameter values. We construct a simple circuit model reproducing experimental results that qualitatively matches the different dynamical regimes of the experimental apparatus. In particular, we observe an order-chaos-order transition as the strength of the feedback is varied corresponding to varying the distance between the nightlight bulb and its photo-detector. A two-dimensional parameter diagram of the model reveals that the order-chaos-order transition is generic for this system.
Nonlinear Gravitational Lagrangians revisited
Authors: Magnano Guido
Published: May 2016

The Legendre transformation method, applied in 1987 to deal with purely metric gravitational Lagrangians with nonlinear dependence on the Ricci tensor, is extended to metric-affine models and is shown to provide a concise and insightful comparison of the dynamical content of the two variational frameworks.
Spectroscopic analysis of the interaction between tetra-(p-sulfoazophenyl-4-aminosulfonyl)-substituted aluminum (III) phthalocyanines and serum albumins
Authors: Zheng Liqin , He Yipeng , Lin Pingping , Liu Lina , Yang Hongqin , Peng Yiru , Xie Shusen
Published: May 2016

The binding interaction between tetra-(p-sulfoazophenyl-4-aminosulfonyl)-substituted aluminum (III) phthalocyanine (AlPc), and two-serum albumins (bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA)) has been investigated. AlPc could quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA and HSA through a static quenching process. The primary and secondary binding sites of AlPc on BSA were domain I and III of BSA. The primary binding site of AlPc on HSA was domain I, and the secondary binding sites of AlPc on HSA were found at domains I and II. Our results suggest that AlPc readily interact with BSA and HSA implying that the amphiphilic substituents AlPc may contribute to their transportation in the blood.
Fast infectious diseases diagnostics based on microfluidic biochip system
Authors: Huang Qin , Han Shanqiao , Zhang Yan , Kou Yue , Zhao Xiaohang , Huang Guoliang
Published: May 2016

Molecular diagnostics is one of the most important tools currently in use for clinical pathogen detection due to its high sensitivity, specificity, and low consume of sample and reagent is keyword to low cost molecular diagnostics. In this paper, a sensitive DNA isothermal amplification method for fast clinical infectious diseases diagnostics at aM concentrations of DNA was developed using a polycarbonate (PC) microfluidic chip. A portable confocal optical fluorescence detector was specifically developed for the microfluidic chip that was capable of highly sensitive real-time detection of amplified products for sequence-specific molecular identification near the optical diffraction limit with low background. The molecular diagnostics of Listeria monocytogenes with nucleic acid extracted from stool samples was performed at a minimum DNA template concentration of 3.65[Formula: see text]aM, and a detection limit of less than five copies of genomic DNA. Contrast to the general polymerase chain reaction (PCR) at eppendorf (EP) tube, the detection time in our developed method was reduced from 1.5[Formula: see text]h to 45[Formula: see text]min for multi-target parallel detection, the consume of sample and reagent was dropped from 25[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]L to 1.45[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]L. This novel microfluidic chip system and method can be used to develop a micro total analysis system as a clinically relevant pathogen molecular diagnostics method via the amplification of targets, with potential applications in biotechnology, medicine, and clinical molecular diagnostics.
Pre- and post-oxidation treatment of titanium as a method of improving the response of TiO2-based photoanodes in PECs
Authors: Trenczek-Zajac Anita , Banas Joanna
Published: May 2016

TiO2-based photoanodes were prepared via thermal oxidation of titanium foils in air at 500–900[Formula: see text]C. Some of them were pre-treated via etching with HCl prior to oxidation, and others post-treated by means of sensitization with Ag2S or CdS. XRD analysis revealed that the formation of rutile is observed even at 500[Formula: see text]C. Etching prior to oxidation removes the Ti passivation layer and facilitates the oxidation process, and lowers the temperature at which the fundamental absorption edge is observed. The highest photocurrent values measured in a photoelectrochemical cell (PEC) were obtained for anodes etched prior to oxidation. Sensitization with CdS or Ag2S increased photocurrent drastically. It was demonstrated that pre- and post-treated TiO2-based photoanodes prepared in the process of thermal oxidation offer far better performance in PECs than those which had not been treated.
Titania Coated Hematite Nanostructures for Solar Water Splitting Applications
Authors: Atabaev Timur Sh. , Atabaev Sanjar
Published: May 2016

In this study, we report the successful preparation of hematite nanostructures coated with thin titania layer for potential solar water splitting applications. The prepared samples were studied systematically by a range of analysis techniques. We showed that resulting hybrid hematite-titania nanosystem exhibited improved photoelectrochemical activity for solar water splitting compared to the bare hematite only. We also showed that this enhancement was achieved through an improvement in light harvesting and better charge carrier separation. Thus, these findings may open new perspectives for the development of photoelectrodes used in photoelectrochemical water splitting applications.
First principles materials design of novel functional oxides
Authors: Cooper Valentino R. , Voas Brian K. , Bridges Craig A. , Morris James R. , Beckman Scott P.
Published: May 2016

We review our efforts to develop and implement robust computational approaches for exploring phase stability to facilitate the prediction-to-synthesis process of novel functional oxides. These efforts focus on a synergy between (i) electronic structure calculations for properties predictions, (ii) phenomenological/empirical methods for examining phase stability as related to both phase segregation and temperature-dependent transitions and (iii) experimental validation through synthesis and characterization. We illustrate this philosophy by examining an inaugural study that seeks to discover novel functional oxides with high piezoelectric responses. Our results show progress towards developing a framework through which solid solutions can be studied to predict materials with enhanced properties that can be synthesized and remain active under device relevant conditions.