bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catastrophic health expenditure among industrial workers in a large-scale industry in Nepal, 2017: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Pyakurel Prajjwal , Tripathy Jaya Prasad , Oo Myo Minn , Acharya Bijay , Pyakurel Ujjwal , Singh Suman Bahadur , Subedi Laxmi , Yadav Kamlesh Prasad , Poudel Mukesh , Pandey Dipesh Raj , Budhathoki Shyam Sundar , Lohani Guna Raj , Jha Nilambar
Published: November 2018

Objectives

The study aimed at estimating out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure, catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and distress financing due to hospitalisation and outpatient care among industrial workers in Eastern Nepal.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study involving industrial workers employed in a large-scale industry in Eastern Nepal. Those who were hospitalised in the last 1 year or availed outpatient care within the last 30 days were administered a structured questionnaire to estimate the cost of illness. CHE was defined as expenditure more than 20% of annual household income. Distress financing was defined as borrowing money/loan or selling assets to cope with OOP expenditure on health.

Results

Of 1824 workers eligible for the study, 1405 (77%) were screened, of which 85 (6%) were hospitalised last year; 223 (16%) attended outpatient department last month. The median (IQR) OOP expenditure from hospitalisation and outpatient care was US$124 (71–282) and US$36 (19–61), respectively. Among those hospitalised, the prevalence of CHE and distress financing was found to be 13% and 42%, respectively, and due to outpatient care was 0.4% and 42%, respectively. Drugs and diagnostics account for a large share of direct costs in both public and private sectors. More than 80% sought hospitalisation and outpatient care in a private sector.

Conclusion

Industrial workers face significant financial risks due to ill health compared with the general population. Poor utilisation and higher cost of care in public health facilities warrant strengthening of public sector through increased government spending. The labour act 2014 of Nepal should be strictly adhered.
Better drug use in advanced disease: an international Delphi study
Authors: Huisman Bregje A. A. , Geijteman Eric C. T. , Dees Marianne K. , van Zuylen Lia , van der Heide Agnes , Perez Roberto S.G.M.
Published: November 2018

Patients with a limited life expectancy use many medications, some of which may be questionable.

Objectives 

To identify possible solutions for difficulties concerning medication management and formulate recommendations to improve medication management at the end of life.

Methods 

A two-round Delphi study with experts in the field of medication management and end-of-life care (based on ranking in the citation index in Web of Science and relevant publications). We developed a questionnaire with 58 possible solutions for problems regarding medication management at the end of life that were identified in previously performed studies.

Results 

A total of 42 experts from 13 countries participated. Response rate in the first round was 93%, mean agreement between experts for all solutions was 87 % (range 62%–100%); additional suggestions were given by 51%. The response rate in the second round was 74%. Awareness, education and timely communication about medication management came forward as top priorities for guidelines. In addition, solutions considered crucial by many of the experts were development of a list of inappropriate medications at the end of life and incorporation of recommendations for end-of-life medication management in disease-specific guidelines.

Conclusions 

In this international Delphi study, experts reached a high level of consensus on recommendations to improve medication management in end-of-life care. These findings may contribute to the development of clinical practice guidelines for medication management in end-of-life care.
Occupational psychology in the UK Ministry of Defence
Authors: Harvey Joanna
Published: November 2018

Psychologists first became prominent within the Armed Forces largely as a result of their contributions to military systems, operations and personnel during the First and Second World Wars. In the early years of the 20th century, as psychology was becoming a profession in its own right, its association with the military arose within the emerging concept of‘shellshock’during World War I and supporting selection activities in World War II. There are approximately 25 occupational psychologists currently employed within the Ministry of Defence (MoD), operating across all branches of the MoD, within the department of the Chief of Defence Personnel, the UK Defence Academy and a small number at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. The aim of this paper is to discuss the history and current application of occupational psychology within the UK MoD.
Smoking uptake in UK children: analysis of the UK Millennium Cohort Study
Authors: Laverty Anthony A , Filippidis Filippos T , Taylor-Robinson David , Millett Christopher , Bush Andrew , Hopkinson Nicholas S
Published: November 2018

We used data from 11 577 children in the UK Millennium Cohort Study, collected at approximately 14 years of age (early teens), to assess characteristics associated with smoking, and generated regional estimates of numbers of smokers. 13.8% of UK early teens studied had ever smoked; 1.9% were current smokers. This corresponds to 2 28 136 and 39 653 (13–14 year olds) in the UK, respectively. Ever smoking risk increased if caregivers (26.0% vs 10.9%) or friends smoked (35.1% vs 4.0%), with a dose–response effect for friends’ smoking. Caregiver and peer-group smoking remain important drivers of child smoking uptake and thus important targets for intervention.
Quantum mechanical tunnelling through the catalytic effects of A2451 ribosomal residue during a stepwise peptide bond formation
Authors: Monajemi Hadieh , Md. Zain Sharifuddin , Ishida Toshimasa , Wan Abdullah Wan Ahmad Tajuddin
Published: November 2018

The search for the mechanism of ribosomal peptide bond formation is still ongoing. Even though the actual mechanism of peptide bod formation is still unknown, the dominance of proton transfer in this reaction is known for certain. Therefore, it is vital to take the quantum mechanical effects on proton transfer reaction into consideration; the effects of which were neglected in all previous studies. In this study, we have taken such effects into consideration using a semi-classical approach to the overall reaction mechanism. The M06-2X density functional with the 6-31++G(d,p) basis set was used to calculate the energies of the critical points on the potential energy surface of the reaction mechanism, which are then used in transition state theory to calculate the classical reaction rate. The tunnelling contribution is then added to the classical part by calculating the transmission permeability and tunnelling constant of the reaction barrier, using the numerical integration over the Boltzmann distribution for the symmetrical Eckart potential. The results of this study, which accounts for quantum effects, indicates that the A2451 ribosomal residue induces proton tunnelling in a stepwise peptide bond formation.
Investigation on high-temperature performance of waste-based high-viscosity asphalt binders (WHABs) by repeated creep recovery (RCR) test
Authors: Cai Jun , Wang Yansong , Wang Di , Li Rui , Zhang Jiupeng , Pei Jianzhong
Published: November 2018

This study reviewed and compared the test methods for the high-temperature performance of asphalt binder, and selected repeated creep recovery (RCR) test to evaluate the high-temperature performance of three waste-based high-viscosity asphalt binders (WHABs, including D-I, D-II, and F) and a control sample (Tafpack-Super modified asphalt, TMA). Meanwhile, shear stress, test temperature, and aging degree of binders, which could influence high-temperature behavior of binders, were also investigated, and related evaluation indexes including recovery compliance (R), non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr), and viscous stiffness modulus (Gv) were compared. Results show that WHABs has much better high-temperature performance than TMA; shear stress has the most prominent effect on binders’ high-temperature performance, followed by aging degree, and lastly the selected test temperature in γ–time curve results; R, Jnr, and Gv values results indicate aging degree has a significant effect on binders, and improving binders’ aging performance can greatly improve the high-temperature performance.
Circular RNAs constitute an inherent gene regulatory axis in the mammalian eye and brain
Authors: George Akash K. , Master Kruyanshi , Majumder Avisek , Homme Rubens Petit , Laha Anwesha , Sandhu Harpal S. , Tyagi Suresh C. , Singh Mahavir
Published: November 2018

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are being hailed as a newly rediscovered class of covalently closed transcripts that are produced via alternative, noncanonical pre-mRNA back-splicing events. These single-stranded RNA molecules have been identified in organisms ranging from the worm (Cortés-López et al. 2018. BMC Genomics, 19: 8; Ivanov et al. 2015. Cell Rep. 10: 170–177) to higher eukaryotes (Yang et al. 2017. Cell Res. 27: 626–641) to plants (Li et al. 2017. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 488: 382–386). At present, research on circRNAs is an active area because of their diverse roles in development, health, and diseases. Partly because their circularity makes them resistant to degradation, they hold great promise as unique biomarkers for ocular and central nervous system (CNS) disorders. We believe that further work on their applications could help in developing them as “first-in-class” diagnostics, therapeutics, and prognostic targets for numerous eye conditions. Interestingly, many circRNAs play key roles in transcriptional regulation by acting as miRNAs sponges, meaning that they serve as master regulators of RNA and protein expression. Since the retina is an extension of the brain and is part of the CNS, we highlight the current state of circRNA biogenesis, properties, and function and we review the crucial roles that they play in the eye and the brain. We also discuss their regulatory roles as miRNA sponges, regulation of their parental genes or linear mRNAs, translation into micropeptides or proteins, and responses to cellular stress. We posit that future advances will provide newer insights into the fields of RNA metabolism in general and diseases of the aging eye and brain in particular. Furthermore, in keeping pace with the rapidly evolving discipline of RNA“omics”-centered metabolism and to achieve uniformity among researchers, we recently introduced the term “cromics” (circular ribonucleic acids based omics) (Singh et al. 2018. Exp. Eye Res. 174: 80–92).
Research on measurement of film thickness of lithium battery by laser in unknown noise environment
Authors: Chen Gong , Chen Sen , Wu Qingying , Leng Qihang , He Yonghua , Xu Yang
Published: November 2018

Factors affecting the on-line detecting thickness of lithium battery pole by laser sensor are mainly the accuracy of the sensor, the inherent frequency and dynamic error of the C scanning mechanism. Improved highly redundant optimal atomic parameters for the thickness of lithium battery pole piece under different circumstances are obtained. The best atomic parameters are extracted in the training phase to construct the sub-optimal atomic function. The results show that, compared with wavelet algorithm and conventional sparse decomposition algorithm, the improved sparse decomposition algorithm has better denoising performance under the condition of lacking prior knowledge.
Image quality assessment method based on relation intensity and details similarity
Authors: Xiang Ruxi , Wu Feng
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we present an effective quality assessment method based on the relation intensity ratio and detail similarity for image quality assessment (IQA) with the full reference image, which first allows us to compute the nonlinear gradient magnitude with Gaussian smoothing of the reference and distorted images and construct the relation intensity ratio and detail similarity between them. Next, the final IQA map is formed by linearly combining the relation intensity ratio with the detail similarity. Finally, we adopt a new pooling strategy which effectively integrates the mean and standard deviation of the final IQA map to accurately predict image quality. Experiments based on two publicly available databases show that the proposed method can provide accurate predictions compared with most state-of-the-art IQA methods.
About the non-standard viewpoint on the dynamics of closed vortex filament
Authors: Talalov S. V.
Published: November 2018

In this paper, we construct the Hamiltonian description of the closed vortex filament dynamics in terms of non-standard variables, phase space and constraints. The suggested approach makes obvious interpretation of the considered system as a structured particle that possesses certain external and internal degrees of the freedom. The constructed theory is invariant under the transformation of Galilei group. The appearance of this group allows for a new viewpoint on the energy of a closed vortex filament with zero thickness. The explicit formula for the effective mass of the structured particle “closed vortex filament” is suggested.
Parloom: A New Low-Power Set-Associative Instruction Cache Architecture Utilizing Enhanced Counting Bloom Filter and Partial Tags
Authors: Rostami-Sani Sajjad , Valinataj Mojtaba , Chamazcoti Saeideh Alinezhad
Published: November 2018

The cache system dissipates a significant amount of energy compared to the other memory components. This will be intensified if a cache is designed with a set-associative structure to improve the system performance because the parallel accesses to the entries of a set for tag comparisons lead to even more energy consumption. In this paper, a novel method is proposed as a combination of a counting Bloom filter and partial tags to mitigate the energy consumption of set-associative caches. This new hybrid method noticeably decreases the cache energy consumption especially in highly-associative instruction caches. In fact, it uses an enhanced counting Bloom filter to predict cache misses with a high accuracy as well as partial tags to decrease the overall cache size. This way, unnecessary tag comparisons can be prevented and therefore, the cache energy consumption is considerably reduced. Based on the simulation results, the proposed method provides the energy reduction from 22% to 31% for 4-way–32-way set-associative L1 caches bigger than 16[Formula: see text]kB running the MiBench programs. The improvements are attained with a negligible system performance degradation compared to the traditional cache system.
Conflict-Free Coloring of Intersection Graphs
Authors: Fekete Sándor P. , Keldenich Phillip
Published: November 2018

A conflict-free[Formula: see text]-coloring of a graph [Formula: see text] assigns one of [Formula: see text] different colors to some of the vertices such that, for every vertex [Formula: see text], there is a color that is assigned to exactly one vertex among [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]’s neighbors. Such colorings have applications in wireless networking, robotics, and geometry, and are well studied in graph theory. Here we study the conflict-free coloring of geometric intersection graphs. We demonstrate that the intersection graph of [Formula: see text] geometric objects without fatness properties and size restrictions may have conflict-free chromatic number in [Formula: see text] and in [Formula: see text] for disks or squares of different sizes; it is known for general graphs that the worst case is in [Formula: see text]. For unit-disk intersection graphs, we prove that it is NP-complete to decide the existence of a conflict-free coloring with one color; we also show that six colors always suffice, using an algorithm that colors unit disk graphs of restricted height with two colors. We conjecture that four colors are sufficient, which we prove for unit squares instead of unit disks. For interval graphs, we establish a tight worst-case bound of two.
Linear orders: When embeddability and epimorphism agree
Authors: Camerlo Riccardo , Carroy Raphaël , Marcone Alberto
Published: November 2018

When a linear order has an order preserving surjection onto each of its suborders, we say that it is strongly surjective. We prove that the set of countable strongly surjective linear orders is a [Formula: see text]-complete set. Using hypotheses beyond ZFC, we prove the existence of uncountable strongly surjective orders.
Twisted geometric K-homology for proper actions of discrete groups
Authors: Bárcenas Noé
Published: November 2018

We define Twisted Equivariant [Formula: see text]-homology groups using geometric cycles. We compare them with analytical approaches using Kasparov KK-theory and (twisted) [Formula: see text]-algebras of groups and groupoids.
A triple-point Whitney trick
Authors: Melikhov Sergey A.
Published: November 2018

We use a triple-point version of the Whitney trick to show that ornaments of three orientable [Formula: see text]-manifolds in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], are classified by the [Formula: see text]-invariant.

A very similar (but not identical) construction was found independently by I. Mabillard and U. Wagner, who also made it work in a much more general situation and obtained impressive applications. The present note is, by contrast, focused on a minimal working case of the construction.
Symmetry breaking in planar and maximal outerplanar graphs
Authors: Alikhani Saeid , Soltani Samaneh
Published: November 2018

The distinguishing number (index) [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) of a graph [Formula: see text] is the least integer [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text] has a vertex (edge) labeling with [Formula: see text] labels that is preserved only by a trivial automorphism. In this paper, we consider the maximal outerplanar graphs (MOP graphs) and show that MOP graphs, except [Formula: see text], can be distinguished by at most two vertex (edge) labels. We also compute the distinguishing number and the distinguishing index of Halin and Mycielskian graphs.
Distributed Joins and Data Placement for Minimal Network Traffic
Authors: Polychroniou Orestis , Zhang Wangda , Ross Kenneth A.
Published: November 2018

Network communication is the slowest component of many operators in distributed parallel databases deployed for large-scale analytics. Whereas considerable work has focused on speeding up databases on modern hardware, communication reduction has received less attention. Existing parallel DBMSs rely on algorithms designed for disks with minor modifications for networks. A more complicated algorithm may burden the CPUs but could avoid redundant transfers of tuples across the network. We introduce track join, a new distributed join algorithm that minimizes network traffic by generating an optimal transfer schedule for each distinct join key. Track join extends the trade-off options between CPU and network. Track join explicitly detects and exploits locality, also allowing for advanced placement of tuples beyond hash partitioning on a single attribute. We propose a novel data placement algorithm based on track join that minimizes the total network cost of multiple joins across different dimensions in an analytical workload. Our evaluation shows that track join outperforms hash join on the most expensive queries of real workloads regarding both network traffic and execution time. Finally, we show that our data placement optimization approach is both robust and effective in minimizing the total network cost of joins in analytical workloads.
P
oker
Authors: Zhang Feng , Xue Jingling
Published: November 2018

We introduce P
oker
, a permutation-based approach for vectorizing multiple queries over B
+
-trees. Our key insight is to combine vector loads and path-encoding-based permutations to alleviate memory latency while keeping the number of key comparisons needed for a query to a minimum. Implemented as a C++ template library, P
oker
represents a general-purpose solution for vectorizing the queries over indexing trees on multi-core processors equipped with SIMD units. For a set of five representative benchmarks evaluated with 24 configurations each, P
oker
outperforms the state of the art by 2.11x with one single thread and 2.28x with eight threads on an Intel Broadwell processor that supports 256-bit AVX2, on average. In addition, strip-mining queries will further improve P
oker
’s performance by 1.21x (with one single thread) and 1.31x (with eight threads), on average.
Oracles for Testing Software Timeliness with Uncertainty
Authors: Wang Chunhui , Pastore Fabrizio , Briand Lionel
Published: November 2018

Uncertainty in timing properties (e.g., detection time of external events) is a common occurrence in embedded software systems, since these systems interact with complex physical environments.

Such time uncertainty leads to non-determinism. For example, time-triggered operations may either generate different valid outputs across different executions or experience failures (e.g., results not being generated in the expected time window) that occur only occasionally over many executions. For these reasons, time uncertainty makes the generation of effective test oracles for timing requirements a challenging task.

To address the above challenge, we propose Stochastic Testing with Unique Input Output Sequences, an approach for the automated generation of stochastic oracles that verify the capability of a software system to fulfill timing constraints in the presence of time uncertainty. Such stochastic oracles entail the statistical analysis of repeated test case executions based on test output probabilities predicted by means of statistical model checking. Results from two industrial case studies in the automotive domain demonstrate that this approach improves the fault detection effectiveness of tests suites derived from timed automata compared to traditional approaches.
Automated Software Protection for the Masses Against Side-Channel Attacks
Authors: Belleville Nicolas , Couroussé Damien , Heydemann Karine , Charles Henri-Pierre
Published: November 2018

We present an approach and a tool to answer the need for effective, generic, and easily applicable protections against side-channel attacks. The protection mechanism is based on code polymorphism, so that the observable behaviour of the protected component is variable and unpredictable to the attacker. Our approach combines lightweight specialized runtime code generation with the optimization capabilities of static compilation. It is extensively configurable. Experimental results show that programs secured by our approach present strong security levels and meet the performance requirements of constrained systems.
Processor-Tracing Guided Region Formation in Dynamic Binary Translation
Authors: Hong Ding-Yong , Wu Jan-Jan , Liu Yu-Ping , Fu Sheng-Yu , Hsu Wei-Chung
Published: November 2018

Region formation is an important step in dynamic binary translation to select hot code regions for translation and optimization. The quality of the formed regions determines the extent of optimizations and thus determines the final execution performance. Moreover, the overall performance is very sensitive to the formation overhead, because region formation can have a non-trivial cost. For addressing the dual issues of region quality and region formation overhead, this article presents a lightweight region formation method guided by processor tracing, e.g., Intel PT. We leverage the branch history information stored in the processor to reconstruct the program execution profile and effectively form high-quality regions with low cost. Furthermore, we present the designs of lightweight hardware performance monitoring sampling and the branch instruction decode cache to minimize region formation overhead. Using ARM64 to x86-64 translations, the experiment results show that our method achieves a performance speedup of up to 1.53× (1.16× on average) for SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks with reference inputs, compared to the well-known software-based trace formation method, Next Executing Tail (NET). The performance results of x86-64 to ARM64 translations also show a speedup of up to 1.25× over NET for CINT2006 benchmarks with reference inputs. The comparison with a relaxed NETPlus region formation method further demonstrates that our method achieves the best performance and lowest compilation overhead.
Improved Analysis of Deterministic Load-Balancing Schemes
Authors: Berenbrink Petra , Klasing Ralf , Kosowski Adrian , Mallmann-Trenn Frederik , Uznański Przemysław
Published: November 2018

We consider the problem of deterministic load balancing of tokens in the discrete model. A set of
n
processors is connected into a
d
-regular undirected network. In every timestep, each processor exchanges some of its tokens with each of its neighbors in the network. The goal is to minimize the discrepancy between the number of tokens on the most-loaded and the least-loaded processor as quickly as possible.

In this work, we identify some natural conditions on deterministic load-balancing algorithms to improve upon the long-standing results of Rabani et al. (1998). Specifically, we introduce the notion of
cumulatively fair
load-balancing algorithms where in any interval of consecutive timesteps, the total number of tokens sent out over an edge by a node is the same (up to constants) for all adjacent edges. We prove that algorithms that are cumulatively fair and where every node retains a sufficient part of its load in each step, achieve a discrepancy of
O
(
d
min { √ log
n
/μ,√
n
}) in time
O
(
T
), where μ is the spectral gap of the transition matrix of the graph. We also show that, in general, neither of these assumptions may be omitted without increasing discrepancy. We then show, by a combinatorial potential reduction argument, that any cumulatively fair scheme satisfying some additional assumptions achieves a discrepancy of
O
(
d
) almost as quickly as the continuous diffusion process. This positive result applies to some of the simplest and most natural discrete load balancing schemes.
Pulmonary hemodynamic and right ventricular responses to brief and prolonged exercise in middle-aged endurance athletes
Authors: Buchan Tayler A. , Wright Stephen P. , Esfandiari Sam , Fuchs Felipe C. , Gray Taylor , Currie Katharine D. , Sasson Shira , Sasson Zion , Mak Susanna , Goodman Jack M.
Published: November 2018

Right ventricular (RV) function is closely coupled to pulmonary arterial (PA) hemodynamics and is believed to decline with prolonged exercise. A linear pressure-flow relationship is thought to exist between PA pressures and increasing exercise intensity in athletes, yet a paucity of directly measured pulmonary hemodynamic data exists supporting this contention. We sought to describe the PA pressure, PA wedge pressure (PAWP), and RV functional responses to brief and prolonged exercise in endurance-trained athletes. Twenty-one healthy athletes (54 ± 5 yr) underwent right heart catheterization to assess pulmonary hemodynamics during graded, submaximal exercise. Measurements were made at rest and during three stages of steady-state, semiupright cycle ergometry at heart rates of 100 beats/min (EX1), 130 beats/min (EX2), and 150 beats/min (EX3). Five athletes completed an additional 34 min at 130 beats/min for a total exercise time of 60 min [prolonged exercise (PLG)]. PA pressures and PAWP increased significantly at EX1 without a further rise at EX2, EX3, or PLG. PAWP adjusted for absolute work rate demonstrated a significant decline as exercise intensity increased from EX1 to EX2. The resistance compliance time constant decreased at EX1 without further changes at EX2, EX3, and prolonged exercise. RV function did not decline during PLG. After an initial rise in PA pressure and PAWP during early, nonsteady-state exercise, values remained constant despite increases in exercise intensity and duration. These data indicate that in healthy, middle-aged endurance-trained athletes, the PA and pulmonary venous/left atrial compartments rapidly accommodate high conduit flows produced during intensive and prolonged exercise while maintaining RV function.

NEW & NOTEWORTHY The right ventricular (RV)-pulmonary arterial (PA) circulatory unit has not been well studied during prolonged exercise, and this study provides an ecological approach that reflects a typical bout of endurance training integrating a transition from rest to exercise with successive increases in intensity, progressing to steady-state, sustained exercise. We demonstrated a remarkably constant response of the PA and PA wedge pressure during incremental, steady-state exercise and that no changes occur in pulmonary pressures throughout prolonged exercise, concomitant to a preservation of RV performance.
Analysis and Optimization of the Vibration and Noise of a Double Planetary Gear Power Coupling Mechanism
Authors: Zhou Weijian , Zuo Yanyan , Zheng Mingyin
Published: November 2018

As the key component of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), the dynamic performance of the power coupling mechanism is found to have a significant effect upon the vibration and noise of the whole vehicle. In this paper, a dynamic model with rigid and flexible bodies of a double planetary gear power coupling mechanism is established. Then, the characteristics of the bearing constraining forces in time domain and frequency domain are simulated and analysed. At the same time, the finite element model of the housing of the power coupling mechanism is established. Then, the vibration response of the housing is analysed under the excitation of the bearing constraining forces, and the vibration displacement of the housing surface is obtained. Furthermore, based on the vibration displacement of the housing surface, a prediction model of housing radiating noise is established. Then, the radiating noise characteristics of the housing and the acoustic contribution of each panel are analysed. Finally, the free damping structure and new stiffener structure are adopted to optimize the rear end cover of the housing. The optimization model based on the vibration acceleration of the rear end cover surface is established by applying K‐S function and response surface method. Then, the optimization model is solved by applying the sequential quadratic programming to obtain the optimal structure of the housing. The optimization results demonstrate that the acoustic power level after optimization is decreased by 3.94 dB, 3.92 dB, 5.59 dB, and 2.84 dB at frequencies of 770 Hz, 870 Hz, 1650 Hz, and 2480 Hz, respectively. Therefore, the optimization effect of the housing structure is obvious, and this can be the theoretical basis and reference for reducing the vibration and noise of the power coupling mechanism.
Predicting Treatment Response Based on RNA Expression in Large Datasets
Authors: Mansfield Aaron S. , Jen Jin
Published: November 2018

PD-L1 expression levels derived from >16,000 samples guided the selection of tumor types likely to benefit from pembrolizuamb monotherapy in clinical trials. Although not fail-proof, FDA approvals for most of the prioritized indications speak to the power of RNA expression profiling and the value of large genomic datasets.

See related article by Ayers et al., p. 1564
Lectotypification of Cyperus pygmaeus (Cyperaceae) and notes on its distinctness with C. michelianus
Authors: GHOSH ASOK , MALLICK TANMOY , NASKAR SAIKAT
Published: November 2018

The name Cyperus pygmaeus is here lectotypified. Sometimes, C. pygmaeus has been treated as a sub-species of C. michelianus. The distinctness between these two species has been discussed.
The oak gall wasps of Israel (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Cynipini)—diversity, distribution and life history
Authors: SHACHAR EINAT , MELIKA GEORGE , INBAR MOSHE , DORCHIN NETTA
Published: November 2018

Oak-galling wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae, Cynipini) have been studied in Israel only superficially so far, despite interest in the Israeli fauna given its location at the southern edge of distribution range of the wasps and their oak hosts. We provide the first comprehensive review of the Israeli fauna of oak cynipids based on an extensive survey of the five naturally occurring oak species in Israel. We report 53 cynipid species, 37 of which are reported from Israel for the first time, 10 are currently known only from this country, and 9 are undescribed. With 27 species, Andricus is by far the biggest genus in Israel, followed by Cerroneuroterus, Neuroterus Plagiotrochus, and Pseudoneuroterus with 4 species each. Andricus megalucidus is synonymized under A. cecconii and Cerroneuroterus cerrifloralis is synonymized under C. lanuginosus. The sexual generations of Andricus cecconii, A. coriariformis, A. coriarius, A. miriami, Cerroneuroterus lanuginosus and Pseudoneuroterus macropterus are reported here for the first time. We recorded 65 gall types, with bud galls being the most common and conspicuous, followed by leaf and catkin galls. We provide illustrated keys for all Israeli species based on their galls, as well as information on host associations, life history, phenology and distribution patterns where available. 21 cynipid species are associated with Quercus ithaburensis and 27 species are associated with Q. boissieri, whereas Q. libani, Q. calliprinos and Q. cerris host much fewer species. Most species are currently known from either their sexual or asexual generation while only 24% of them are known from both. Mount Hermon was found to be an important hotspot, hosting about half of the Israeli cynipid fauna, and species richness generally declines from the Golan Heights southwards to the Judean Mountains. Cynipid species that are associated with oaks of sections Cerris and Quercus in Europe are mostly associated with the same sections in Israel.
Graphene Material and Perspectives for Nanoelectronics
Authors: Benfdila A. , Lakhlef A.
Published: November 2018

The present paper investigates the electrical and physical characteristics of graphene material aiming its use as an active device base material for nanotransistors and nanosensors. The device structures namely nanotransistors are studied and compared to that of silicon NanoMOSFET.
The transport mechanism model based essentially on the ballistic transport using the Fermi level variations has been discussed for both device structures SiNanoFET and GNanoFET. The switching mechanisms and the threshold voltage limits are discussed aiming reduction of the switching time and
ON/OFF ratio for better device reliability. Finally a perspective on device integration is introduced.
Preparation of Cadmium Sulfide Nanostructures in Presence of Polyvinyl Alcohol and Polyvinylpyrrolidone as a Capping Agent and Investigation of Their Structural and Optical Properties
Authors: Azizian-Kalandaragh Yashar
Published: November 2018

In this research, cadmium sulfide nanostructures have been prepared by an ultrasound-assisted method in presence of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as capping agents. The effects of two different capping agents on the structural and optical properties of cadmium
sulfide nanostructures have been investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The XRD patterns show the high purity of samples. The mean crystal's sizes have been estimated by Debye-Sherrer
equation and results show the mean crystallite size is decreasing with increase capping agent concentrations. UV-Vis spectroscopy results show a shift in the peaks and broadening with the PVA and PVP increasing. The broadening of the absorbance spectrum with increasing in capping agent concentrations
is due to the quantum confinement of nanostructures. The band gap of prepared samples has been estimated by Tauc equation and graph and results show that the band gaps of samples are increasing with increase in the capping agent's concentration. The SEM images show the distribution of the
uncapped sample is different from capped samples. FT-IR spectroscopy results show by increasing of capping agent concentration the energy between the functional group is changed and some peaks show a slight shift.
Analytical Modeling of Current–Voltage Characteristics of Phosphorene Based Field Effect Transistor
Authors: Zangi Shiva , Ahmadi Mohammad Taghi , Ismail Razali
Published: November 2018

Phosphorene, a new two-dimensional semiconductor, with its outstanding electro-optical and transport features has been studied extremely in recent years. However, the modeling of its interesting properties needs to be explored in more details. In this paper, an analytical model for
conductance variations in the proposed phosphorene based field effect transistor is presented based on phosphorene energy dispersion relation and a tunable behaviour due to the alteration of gate voltage is reported. Moreover, the current–voltage characteristic of the phosphorene based
nano device has been analyzed theoretically and an acceptable ION/IOFF ratio about 105 is calculated for different bias values. In addition, data from the suggested current model is compared with the extracted experimental data which shows good
agreement and confirms the validity of the suggested model in a desirable manner. Hence, it should be noted that the outcome of this paper can be extremely useful in the analysis of phosphorene based nano devices especially nano-sensors.
Studies on the Optical and Electrical Properties of Transparent, Conductive Gallium-Doped Zinc Oxide with Ag Nanoparticles
Authors: Park Jeong-Woo , Goo Ji Soo , Shim Jae Won
Published: November 2018

Ag nanoparticles were deposited on top of a gallium-doped zinc oxide (GZO) layer utilizing a pulsed current electrodeposition method. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed that the formation of Ag nanoparticles spanning several tens of nanometers in diameter occurred, which
were able to reduce the sheet resistance of GZO film by approximately 28% compared with the bare GZO film. The reduced sheet resistance of the GZO film was mainly attributed to the increase in the electron concentration on the GZO surface. Absorption and photoluminescence (PL) data showed
that both the increased absorption and the PL intensity of the GZO films with Ag nanoparticles were due to the surface plasmon resonance phenomenon of the Ag nanoparticles' conduction electrons.
Nitrogen Ion Implantation Effect on Silicon Solar Cells for Surface Passivation
Authors: Sahu Rajkumar , Palei Srikanta , Choi Jaeho , Kim Keunjoo
Published: November 2018

We investigated the surface passivation of silicon solar cells by nitrogen ion implantation. The nitrogen ion was implanted with the energy of 20 keV at a twist angle of 22.5° from the Si 〈100〉 direction and a tilt angle of 7°. The ion concentration was varied at 1013,
1014, and 1015 N+/cm2. The implanted cell showed the implanted region located below the anti-reflection coating layer. For the low dose cell of 1013 N+/cm2, the nitrogen ion implantation showed increased quantum efficiency,
minority carrier lifetime, and conversion efficiency compared to the reference cell. However, as the ion dose was increased, the quantum efficiency, minority carrier lifetime, photoreflectance, and cell conversion efficiency of the fabricated cell decreased. This indicates that nitrogen ion
implantation can passivate the surface to increase the cell conversion efficiency with a critical dose of ions.
A Novel Fenton Process Without H2O2 or Fe Addition Realized by Visible Light-Activated Cu2O/Rectorite Composite
Authors: Wang Yurong
Published: November 2018

A novel, self-established, immobilised Fenton process (SIFP) was designed using a visible light-activated nano-Cu2O/rectorite composite (nCu2O/R). The nCu2O/R was synthesised using a low temperature, solid-state method and was characterised using scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), UV-Visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Under the following experimental conditions: 160 mg/L Reactive Brilliant Red X-3B (named as X-3B) solution, neutral pH, and 1 g/L nCu2O/R
dosage, 72% decoloration and 70% COD removal were achieved. Hydroxyl radicals (.OH) were indirectly detected in this system without the addition of H2O2 or Fe2+ or the adjustment of the pH. Isopropanol (IP) was added as a radical scavenger into the
SIFP to provide further evidence that OH played a key role in the photocatalytic degradation of X-3B by nCu2O/R. Compared with the Cu2 O/Fe2+ Fenton-like process (CFP), the Fe-bearing clay/H2O2 system (FCHS) and the Cu2O+rectorite
physical mixture system (PMS), the SIFP had a greater discoloration capability. The photocatalytic effect of the SIFP is due to a synergistic catalytic effect caused by the coupling of two advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), semiconductor photocatalysis technology (consisting of Cu2O
and visible light) and Fenton processes (consisting of Fe and H2O2). The content of Fe and Cu2O were changed in nCu2O/R composites to study the role that Fe and Cu2O played in the SIFP and to further study the photocatalytic mechanism
of the nCu2O/R composite.
Investigating the Causes of Increased Twentieth-Century Fall Precipitation over the Southeastern United States
Authors: Bishop Daniel A. , Williams A. Park , Seager Richard , Fiore Arlene M. , Cook Benjamin I. , Mankin Justin S. , Singh Deepti , Smerdon Jason E. , Rao Mukund P.
Published: November 2018

Much of the eastern United States experienced increased precipitation over the twentieth century. Characterizing these trends and their causes is critical for assessing future hydroclimate risks. Here, U.S. precipitation trends are analyzed for 1895–2016, revealing that fall precipitation in the southeastern region north of the Gulf of Mexico (SE-Gulf) increased by nearly 40%, primarily increasing after the mid-1900s. Because fall is the climatological dry season in the SE-Gulf and precipitation in other seasons changed insignificantly, the seasonal precipitation cycle diminished substantially. The increase in SE-Gulf fall precipitation was caused by increased southerly moisture transport from the Gulf of Mexico, which was almost entirely driven by stronger winds associated with enhanced anticyclonic circulation west of the North Atlantic subtropical high (NASH) and not by increases in specific humidity. Atmospheric models forced by observed SSTs and fully coupled models forced by historical anthropogenic forcing do not robustly simulate twentieth-century fall wetting in the SE-Gulf. SST-forced atmospheric models do simulate an intensified anticyclonic low-level circulation around the NASH, but the modeled intensification occurred farther west than observed. CMIP5 analyses suggest an increased likelihood of positive SE-Gulf fall precipitation trends given historical and future GHG forcing. Nevertheless, individual model simulations (both SST forced and fully coupled) only very rarely produce the observed magnitude of the SE-Gulf fall precipitation trend. Further research into model representation of the western ridge of the fall NASH is needed, which will help us to better predict whether twentieth-century increases in SE-Gulf fall precipitation will persist into the future.
The Importance of Near-Surface Winter Precipitation Processes in Complex Alpine Terrain
Authors: Gerber Franziska , Mott Rebecca , Lehning Michael
Published: November 2018

In this study, near-surface snow and graupel dynamics from formation to deposition are analyzed using WRF in a large-eddy configuration. The results reveal that a horizontal grid spacing of ≤50 m is required to resolve local orographic precipitation enhancement, leeside flow separation, and thereby preferential deposition. At this resolution, precipitation patterns across mountain ridges show a high temporal and spatial variability. Simulated and observed event-mean snow precipitation across three mountain ridges in the upper Dischma valley (Davos, Switzerland) for two precipitation events show distinct patterns, which are in agreement with theoretical concepts, such as small-scale orographic precipitation enhancement or preferential deposition. We found for our case study that overall terrain–flow–precipitation interactions increase snow accumulation on the leeward side of mountain ridges by approximately 26%–28% with respect to snow accumulation on the windward side of the ridge. Cloud dynamics and mean advection may locally increase precipitation on the leeward side of the ridge by up to about 20% with respect to event-mean precipitation across a mountain ridge. Analogously, near-surface particle–flow interactions, that is, preferential deposition, may locally enhance leeward snow precipitation on the order of 10%. We further found that overall effect and relative importance of terrain–flow–precipitation interactions are strongly dependent on atmospheric humidity and stability. Weak dynamic stability is important for graupel production, which is an essential component of solid winter precipitation. A comparison to smoothed measurements of snow depth change reveals a certain agreement with simulated precipitation across mountain ridges.
Curriculum Development: Preservice Teachers’ Perceptions of Design Thinking for Understanding Digital Literacy as a Curricular Framework
Authors: Shively Kate , Palilonis Jennifer
Published: November 2018

This study examines design thinking (DT) as a strategy to develop K-3 digital literacy curricula. This article chronicles first-year, preservice teachers’ (PSTs’) perceptions using DT to explore an often-misunderstood curricular framework, digital literacy. The participants employed DT as a strategy for developing digital literacy curriculum. Findings discussed in this article explored PSTs’ perceptions of DT and how the strategy helped or hindered their understanding of digital literacy as an elementary curricular framework. This study calls for further investigation regarding DT as a strategy for curriculum development early in teacher preparation.
Blame the victims? Refugees, state capacity, and non-state actor violence
Authors: Böhmelt Tobias , Bove Vincenzo , Gleditsch Kristian Skrede
Published: November 2018

Existing research argues that refugee inflows may increase the risk of domestic conflict, particularly civil war that, by definition, involves the state as an actor. However, many of the postulated mechanisms linking refugees to a higher risk of such conflict pertain to tensions with locals, which do not necessarily involve any grievances against government authorities. We contend that it is more likely to identify an association between refugees and non-state actor violence, that is, armed violence between organized non-state groups, neither of which pertains to the state. We also claim that the extent to which refugees are associated with a higher likelihood of non-state conflict depends on the capacity of governments to manage and mitigate risks. We report evidence that refugee populations can be linked to an increased risk of non-state conflict, as well as for a mitigating effect of state capacity on the risk of non-state conflicts in the presence of refugees. We do not find a clear effect of refugee populations on civil war, suggesting that the link depends on existing conflict cleavages relevant to mobilizing refugees or locals. Our research helps to shed light on the relevant security consequences of managing refugee populations. Despite the common arguments portraying refugees as security risks in developed countries, the risk of non-state conflict applies primarily to weak states that have been forced to shoulder a disproportionate burden in hosting refugees.