bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mobile Learning et vidéo en Français Langue Étrangère : l’environnement matériel comme ressource en production orale
Authors: Martin Laurence
Published: October 2018

L’intégration des caméras dans les objets de la mobilité (ordinateur portable, appareil photo, smartphone, tablette) a conduit à l’émergence de l’autoproduction audiovisuelle comme activité sociale (YouTube) et la didactique des langues s’approprie ces nouvelles pratiques. Les apprenants peuvent se filmer facilement en dehors de la classe dans des environnements variés et transmettre leur production orale numérique à l’enseignant. En nous appuyant sur un corpus de tutoriels audiovisuels réalisés par des étudiants en français langue étrangère, nous montrerons comment les objets de la vie quotidienne participent à la construction du sens dans l’action et constituent ainsi des ressources qui aident l’apprenant à élaborer son discours et l’enseignant à évaluer la production orale. Les apprenants choisissent de se montrer en train d’agir dans des lieux qui étaient jusque-là réservés à l’apprentissage informel (salle de bain, magasin, cuisine etc.) et réalisent un produit audiovisuel en dehors de la salle de classe. L’enseignant peut intervenir sur la vidéo par exemple en repérant des erreurs dans la production orale et en insérant des annotations sur l’image. La vidéo numérique constitue une trace sur laquelle l’enseignant et l’apprenant peuvent agir de façon différée.
Data coding for indigenous language research: attaching local meanings in generating categories and themes
Authors: Wan Roselind
Published: October 2018

Data analysis in qualitative research is the most complex phase of a study and covers a broad range of approaches with different variation in concepts, assumptions and analytic rules. It involves creating analytic categories reflecting the experiences of participants and highlighting the significance of cultural events happening in the research setting. Accordingly, thematic analysis of data is conducted to examine systematically the content of data to identify recurrent patterns in participants’ response and their understanding of their social world. In this paper, I describe the development of categories and themes in a study designed to examine the perceptions on language and identity of Kayan elders in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. It demonstrates the analytic rigour in the stages of coding, and offers a rationale for initial coding in the indigenous language. This paper concludes with suggestion for considering indigenous language in coding as it enables the researcher to unpack layers of meanings that are embedded in the cultural context, thereby, enhancing richness of the analysis.
Challenges of continuous technological disruption in the broadcasting industry and the search for ‘job-fit’ talents
Authors: Ponnan Ramachandran , Abdullah Azween Bin
Published: October 2018

:Job placement is becoming an uphill task for new graduates when they do not have the relevant knowledge to start up on their own. This happens when their education is either sub-standard, rendered obsolete upon graduation or cannot be translated into practice at their respective workplaces. Such a shortcoming in the broadcasting industry is not with the provision of training or the supply of skilled manpower. It is rather the continuous disruption of technology when graduates require more than operational knowledge. In the absence of ‘job-fit graduates’ the broadcasting industry looks out for the best talents outside of their traditional marketplace. To address this fallout, the industry is looking to recruit new talents with emerging computing knowledge instead of the traditional Mass Communication discipline. This empirical study explores the skills shortage in the broadcasting industry from the perspective of “Challenges of Industrial Revolution 4.0 in higher education (MyHE 4.0). Qualitative data was gathered from stakeholders, training providers and vendors. Two major findings: 1) The need for talents transformation to a modern converged setting in broadcasting; and 2) The establishment of pathways to ‘Job-Fit’ training in the broadcasting industry, have emerged from the study. The study proposes six recommendations in support of the transformation in the broadcasting industry.
Awareness of Ethics and Integrity at a Malaysian Government District Office
Authors: Ali Khalidah Khalid
Published: October 2018

The public sector, operated through local/ state governments is the most important instrument in management and administration of a nation. Apart from delivering services and sustaining national development, it is also the social institution entrusted to restore law and order of a nation. These functions and responsibilities indicate direct relationships with morality, ethics and social justice. The district office is the closest level of the government to the people. Hence, issues of ethics and integrity are clearly seen as the people whom they serve directly and who are affected by the government. This paper reports on a pilot study conducted at a district office in Malaysia to investigate employees’ responses on awareness initiatives to imbue ethics and integrity at the workplace through a questionnaire with mixed methods. This study has positively found that the district office employees are highly aware of ethics and integrity. They perceive that all initiatives taken at the workplace to create ethical awareness are highly effective and their understanding of ethics and integrity is high (Mean: 4.34 and 4.25 respectively). Posters are viewed to be the most effective medium to create awareness, followed by websites and signages. Superiors, as role models have taken a committed responsibility to remind subordinates through various channels of communication on ethical values and integrity. However, there are still employees who do not seem to be aware of the information provided on ethics. In addition, less than half of the respondents (46.3%) are directly involved in the launched ethics campaigns in office. The study findings will draw some insights on effectiveness of initiatives taken at ground level to create ethical awareness among the public-sector employees as Malaysia transforms her socio-economic landscape in the globalization era.
Stakeholders Perspective on Communicative Competence in Industry 4.0: Walk the Talk of Informative Technologists
Authors: Bhattacharyya Ena
Published: October 2018

In facing the challenges of era 4.0, graduates are undoubtedly faced with language and communicative competency struggle to ensure that there is ease of transition from that of the academia to the workplace. This transition would entail innovative insight in language learning to equip graduates with apt technical and non-technical competencies for purposes of employability and work readiness. Graduates will need to familiarize themselves with the professional environment and be familiar with the language of the community of practice. To be considered a legitimate member of a community, the situated learning theory postulates that continued participation and engagement over a period of time with a community, provides one the ability to be considered as member of a community. For this purpose, a mixed method research was conducted in a private university to obtain the views of graduates and employers involved in student internship programs at an Information Technology (IT) company. Respondents were required to provide their feedback on communicative competence expected of interns for employability and work readiness. The study aims to share the communicative competencies and struggles as well as pedagogical implications expected of IT graduates in Industry 4.0. to be deemed employable and work ready.
Implementation of PBL to enhance the soft skills of engineering students
Authors: Idrus Hairuzila , Abdullah Muhammad Ridhuan Tony Lim
Published: October 2018

The objective of this paper is to look into the implementation of PBL in the teaching of engineering courses to enhance the students’ ability in soft skills. The importance of soft skills has been acknowledged in most occupations and many organizations make selection and performance evaluation decisions based in part on employees’ soft skills. Problem Based Learning (PBL) is a pedagogical approach that has the potential to harness students’ ability in soft skills. Thus, this study looks into the implementation of PBL at a private university in Malaysia based on the lecturers’ industry experience, teaching experience and the engineering program they are in. A set of questionnaire is given to 90 lecturers teaching engineering courses to gauge the extent to which PBL is employed by the lecturers. An independent-samples t-test was conducted to compare the mean scores of the two groups which were the lecturers with industry experience and the ones without industry experience on the teaching approaches employed by them. A one-way between-groups analysis of variance (ANOVA) is conducted to explore the teaching methods employed by lecturers of different years of teaching experience and engineering programs. The analysis showed that 77.7 % of the lecturers prefer to employ problem-based learning (PBL) in their teaching of engineering courses. The results also revealed that the preference stayed constant in relation to the lecturers’ experience with the industry, years of teaching experience and the engineering program they are in. Thus, this illustrates that the lecturers prefer to employ student-cantered approach which lead to producing students with better soft skills like critical thinking. Similar patterns appeared in relations to the comparison by years of teaching experience, where lecturers with 6-10 years of teaching experience highly employed PBL. On the comparison by engineering program, lecturers from Chemical engineering (CE) program show the most frequently usage of PBL. The study also found that the soft skills that could be enhanced through PBL are critical thinking and problem solving skills, communication skills and teamwork skills.
How ’Straight’ Has Developed Its Meanings －Based on a metaphysical theory
Authors: Nakashima Kosuke
Published: October 2018

This paper makes the development of the word ’straight’ clear. Dictionaries define ’straight’ as; ‘without a curve or bend’, ‘going direct to the target’, ‘honest’, ‘in continuous succession’ or ‘neat’. As can be seen, ’straight’ has a variety of meanings. Some connections between these meanings can be guessed but others cannot. The mechanism of how ’straight’ has obtained each meaning will be explained logically in this paper. First, the most basic or central meaning of ’straight’ is ‘without a curve or bend’. So ’straight’ modifies the verb ’stand’ like the following: He stood up straight. ’Straight’ has a strong conceptual connection with a standing posture. At the present time, ’straight’ is the normal posture for human beings. This means ’straight’ has a concept for ‘normal’ for human beings like the following: He grew up straight. This sentence does not mean that his posture is straight up. It means that he grew up honest. ’Straight’ gives a normal image to English speakers both physically and metaphysically. Like an example above, this paper explains how ’straight’ has developed its meanings through the human beings’ way of thinking. And some comparisons between English expressions and Japanese ones, which is the author’s mother tongue, are made in this paper as well.
Muslim scholar’s discourse on Buddhism: a literature on Buddha’s position
Authors: Ramli Ahmad Faizuddin , Awang Jaffary , Ab Rahman Zaizul
Published: October 2018

The coexistence of Islam and Buddhism relation took place in the middle of the 8th century. Although both religions originated from different sources, Muslims scholars were the first to study about Buddhism. Inspired by selected verses in the Quran, Muslims scholars recognized an element of similarity of Buddha’s teaching with Islamic teaching. This paper examines the views of Muslim scholars on Buddha’s position in the Islamic tradition in early and contemporarily literature. The method of this study is qualitative by emphasizing on contain analysis using three research design: philological, historical, and theological. Among the early Muslim scholars discussed in this paper are al-Baladhuri (d. 892), al-Biruni (973-1048 AD), Ibn al-Nadim (995 AD), al-Shahrastani (1086-1153 AD), al-Ṭabarī (838-923 AD), al-Hamadhani (1247-1318 AD), and the contemporary Muslim scholars is Muhammad Hamidullah (1908-2002), Hamid Abdul Qadir (1957), Hamza Yusuf (1958 –), Shah Reza Kazemi (1960 –), and Imtiyaz Yusuf. The study suggests the position of Buddha as a prophet in the Islamic tradition are justified based on selected terms in the Quran liketīn, Dhual-Kifl and ṣābi’īn. This paper concludes that there is a strong relation between Islam and Buddhism in early Islamic literature.
The Paradigms of Consciousness: A Discourse
Authors: Ali Khalidah Khalid , Sulam Muhaimin bin
Published: October 2018

Consciousness is deep in meaning and utilised in many different ways. It is often used to scientifically explain one’s ability to discriminate stimuli, report information, monitor internal states or control behaviour. This paper investigates the concepts and paradigms of consciousness from scientific, Western and religious perspectives with focus on Islamic dimensions as a discourse. A library research is conducted and online resources are utilised to review literatures from multi-disciplines before arriving at a conclusion. Discursive paradigms of consciousness recognise it as an abstract concept. Consciousness is beyond cognition. While cognitive thoughts, theories and ideologies relate consciousness to the five senses of humans, the concepts of ‘will’, awareness (i.e. being aware of things happening around a human being) and having a sense of purpose or intent in undertaking actions are relevant in the study of consciousness. A conscious person will use his/her senses to conduct life as civilised beings. However, by linking the body and the soul in explaining consciousness from Islamic viewpoints, consciousness is the awareness of oneself driven by his/her commitment and conviction as a servant of God and total submission to the Creator. Consciousness from Islamic contexts indeed relates toiman(faith) andtaqwa(God consciousness).
Towards ensuring inter-religious harmony in a multi-religious society of Perak
Authors: Ikhwan Izzat Zulkefli Mohd , Nuri Al-Amin Endut Mohd , Ridhuan Tony Lim Abdullah Muhammad , Baharuddin Azizan
Published: October 2018

Inter-religious harmony is crucial in maintaining political and national stability. Living in a peaceful and harmonious environment is important when the society consists of diverse races and religious adherents. The existence of minor tension in the society to some extent has jeopardised inter-religious relations. The failure to preserve religious harmony could expose the society to conflict and chaos. Thus, this paper aims to discuss and elaborate the pertinent elements in sustainable harmony among multi-religious society in Perak. The paper elaborates on the fundamental factors contributing to socio-religious harmony among multi-religious society. Library research method is used in addressing the situation of religious harmony in Perak and the pertinent element should be fostered in order to preserve religious harmony. This paper also emphasises that elements such as acceptance, understanding, co-operation as well as right and justice are significant elements in sustaining religious harmony. Hence, the discussion is aimed to build a sustainable concept of multi-religious harmony in Perak. The findings could also encourage multi-religious society to maintain and build a strong relationship among them.
An exploratory study using weblogs as a learning and assessment tool in a Public Relations course
Authors: Jayasainan Sheila Yvonne
Published: October 2018

The study investigates the usefulness of weblogs in evaluating the understanding and performance of Public Relations (PR) learners. The study also explored PR leaners’ reactions towards using weblogs as a learning and assessment tool for their performance. Fifty undergraduate students from a private institution of higher learning in the Klang Valley participated in a semester-long weblog project. The task required students to complete eight weekly-writing reflection entries on the principles and practices of PR onto their individual weblogs. The results indicate that PR leaners’ understanding of the weekly topics improved with the use of weblogs. Moreover, 98% of the participants considered their blogging experience in PR-related topics positive. The majority of students believed that the weekly-writing reflections using weblogs constituted a good tool to showcase their learning process and help them reflect on their learning progress in a weblog-based environment. 96% welcomed the idea of employing blogs as an assessment tool. These results carry pedagogical implications in the use of technology for performance and assessment of PR learners.
Catalyst-Free Decarboxylative Fluorination of Tertiary β-Keto Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Shibatomi Kazutaka , Katada Misaki , Kitahara Kazumasa , Iwasa Seiji
Published: October 2018

Decarboxylative fluorination of tertiary β-keto carboxylic ­acids was performed using an electrophilic fluorinating reagent. The reaction proceeded in the absence of a catalyst or base to yield the corresponding α-fluoroketones with tertiary fluorocarbons in good to high yields. Considering that the α-fluorination of asymmetrical ketones ­often causes problems with the regioselectivity between the α- and α′-positions, this method could be a good alternative to the α-fluorination of simple ketones for the synthesis of tertiary fluoroketones.
Reiseimpfungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen
Authors: Kobbe R. , Rau C.
Published: October 2018

Impfungen sind ein wichtiger Teil der medizinischen Beratung vor Auslandsreisen mit Kindern und Jugendlichen. Viele impfpräventable Krankheiten stellen für diese Altersgruppen ein besonderes Risiko dar. Für die meisten verfügbaren Impfstoffe gelten bestimmte Mindestaltersgrenzen. Bei der Beratung sollte zunächst der aktuelle Impfstatus gemäß STIKO-Empfehlungen überprüft werden. Die Reiseimpfempfehlung richtet sich vor allem nach Reiseziel, Reisedauer und Reisestandard. Daneben sind Einreisebestimmungen des Ziellandes und aktuelle Ausbrüche zu beachten. Bei besonderen Reiseanlässen wie Besuchen von Freunden und Verwandten, Großveranstaltungen, Langzeitaufenthalten, Backpacking oder Freiwilligendiensten ist die Indikation zur Immunisierung großzügiger zu stellen. Die Impfserie sollte idealerweise zwei Wochen vor Ausreise abgeschlossen sein. Auch kurzfristigere Impfungen können noch sinnvoll sein.
Durch Vektoren übertragene Erkrankungen
Authors: Kleine C. , Ziegler U. , Schwienhorst E.-M. , Stich A.
Published: October 2018

Der folgende Artikel fokussiert auf Erkrankungen, deren Erreger von Vektoren (Insekten, Spinnentieren) aktiv auf den Menschen übertragen werden. Sie spielen in tropischen und subtropischen Regionen der Erde eine erhebliche Rolle und sind auch im Rahmen der Differenzialdiagnose bei kranken Reiserückkehrern von großer Bedeutung. Am wichtigsten ist die Malaria, insbesondere die lebensbedrohliche Malaria tropica durch Plasmodium falciparum. Jede fieberhafte Erkrankung aus den Tropen erfordert eine zeitnahe Malaria-Diagnostik. Tropische Viruserkrankungen durch Dengue-, West-Nil-, Chikungunya- oder Zika-Viren haben sich in den vergangenen Jahrzehnten massiv ausgebreitet und stellen auch eine zunehmende Bedrohung für den europäischen Raum dar. Andere Vektor-übertragene Erkrankungen sind zwar von großer lokaler Relevanz in endemischen Regionen, aber als importierte Infektionen in Deutschland relativ selten. Bei der Betreuung der Patienten empfiehlt sich eine enge Kooperation mit Tropenmedizinern.
Design and implementation of a Thomson parabola for fluence dependent energy-loss measurements at the Neutralized Drift Compression eXperiment
Authors: Treffert F. , Ji Q. , Seidl P. A. , Persaud A. , Ludewigt B. , Barnard J. J. , Friedman A. , Grote D. P. , Gilson E. P. , Kaganovich I. D. , Stepanov A. , Roth M. , Schenkel T.
Published: October 2018

The interaction of ion beams with matter includes the investigation of the basic principles of ion stopping in heated materials. An unsolved question is the effect of different, especially higher, ion beam fluences on ion stopping in solid targets. This is relevant in applications such as in fusion sciences. To address this question, a Thomson parabola was built for the Neutralized Drift Compression eXperiment (NDCX-II) for ion energy-loss measurements at different ion beam fluences. The linear induction accelerator NDCX-II delivers 2 ns short, intense ion pulses, up to several tens of nC/pulse, or 1010-1011 ions, with a peak kinetic energy of ∼1.1 MeV and a minimal spot size of 2 mm FWHM. For this particular accelerator, the energy determination with conventional beam diagnostics, for example, time of flight measurements, is imprecise due to the non-trivial longitudinal phase space of the beam. In contrast, a Thomson parabola is well suited to reliably determine the beam energy distribution. The Thomson parabola differentiates charged particles by energy and charge-to-mass ratio, through deflection of charged particles by electric and magnetic fields. During first proof-of-principle experiments, we achieved to reproduce the average initial helium beam energy as predicted by computer simulations with a deviation of only 1.4%. Successful energy-loss measurements with 1 μm thick silicon nitride foils show the suitability of the accelerator for such experiments. The initial ion energy was determined during a primary measurement without a target, while a second measurement, incorporating the target, was used to determine the transmitted energy. The energy-loss was then determined as the difference between the two energies.
Development of an ultra-fast photomultiplier tube for gamma-ray Cherenkov detectors at the National Ignition Facility (PD-PMT)
Authors: Dymoke-Bradshaw A. K. L. , Hares J. D. , Milnes J. , Herrmann H. W. , Horsfield C. J. , Gales S. G. , Leatherland A. , Hilsabeck T. , Kilkenny J. D.
Published: October 2018

A new ultra-fast photomultiplier tube and associated drivers have been developed for use in the next generation of gamma-ray high pressure gas Cherenkov detectors for inertial confinement fusion experiments at the National Ignition Facility. Pulse-dilation technology has been applied to a standard micro-channel-plate-based photomultiplier tube to improve the temporal response by about 10×. The tube has been packaged suitably for deployment on the National Ignition Facility, and remote electronics have been designed to deliver the required non-linear waveforms to the pulse dilation electrode. This is achieved with an avalanche pulse generator system capable of generating fast arbitrary waveforms over the useful parameter space. The pulse is delivered via fast impedance-matching transformers and isolators, allowing the cathode to be ramped on a sub-nanosecond time scale between two high voltages in a controlled non-linear manner. This results in near linear pulse dilation over several ns. The device has a built-in fiducial system that allows easy calibration and testing with fiber optic laser sources. Results are presented demonstrating the greatly improved response time and other parameters of the device.
Calculation of a capacitively-coupled floating gate array toward quantum annealing machine
Authors: Tanamoto Tetsufumi , Higashi Yusuke , Deguchi Jun
Published: October 2018

Quantum annealing machines based on superconducting qubits, which have the potential to solve optimization problems faster than digital computers, are of great interest not only to researchers but also to the general public. In this paper, we propose a quantum annealing machine based on a semiconductor floating gate (FG) array. The purpose of using the architecture of nand flash memories is to reuse a mature technology to create large arrays of silicon qubits. Current high-density nand flash memories use sufficiently small FG cells to make the number of electrons stored in each cell small and countable. The high packing density of these cells creates mutual capacitive couplings that can be used to generate cell-to-cell interactions. We explore these characteristics to derive an Ising Hamiltonian for the FG system in the single-electron regime. Considering the size of a cell (10 nm), the ideal operation temperature of a quantum annealer based on FG cells is estimated to be approximately that of liquid nitrogen. Assuming the parameters of a commercial 64 Gbit nand, we estimate that it is possible to create 2-megabyte (MB) qubit systems solely using conventional fabrication processes. Our proposal demonstrates that a large qubit system can be obtained as a natural extension of the miniaturization of commercial-grade electronics, although more effort will likely be required to achieve high-quality qubits.
Beryllium capsule implosions at a case-to-capsule ratio of 3.7 on the National Ignition Facility
Authors: Zylstra A. B. , Yi S. A. , MacLaren S. , Kline J. , Kyrala G. , Ralph J. E. , Bae J. , Batha S. , Callahan D. , Flippo K. , Huang H. , Hurricane O. , Khan S. F. , Kabadi N. , Kong C. , Kot L. B. , Lahmann B. , Loomis E. N. , Masse L. P. , Millot M. , Moore A. , Nikroo A. , Perry T. S. , Rice N. , Salmonson J. , Shah R. , Sio H. , Stadermann M. , Strozzi D. J. , Tipton R. , Xu H.
Published: October 2018

Beryllium is a candidate ablator material for indirect-drive inertial confinement fusion experiments, motivated by its high mass ablation rate, which is advantageous for implosion coupling efficiency and stabilization of the ablation-front instability growth. We present new data on the shock propagation, in-flight shape, and hot spot self-emission shape from gas-filled capsules that demonstrate the feasibility of predictable, symmetric, controllable beryllium implosions at a case-to-capsule ratio of 3.7. The implosions are round (Legendre mode 2 amplitude ≲5%) at an inner beam power and the energy fraction of 26%–28% of the total, indicating that larger beryllium capsules could be driven symmetrically using the National Ignition Facility.
Flexibly adjustable depth-of-focus photoacoustic microscopy with spatial light modulation
Authors: Song Wei , Wu Yuli , Gao Yufeng , Chen Tingai , Zheng Wei , Fang Hui , Song Liang , Yuan Xiaocong
Published: October 2018

Through focusing the excitation laser, optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy (OR-PAM) is capable of measuring optical absorption properties down to micrometer-scale lateral resolution within biological tissues. The focused Gaussian beam routinely employed in the OR-PAM setups is inadequate for acquiring the volumetric images of biological specimens with thickness from tens micrometers to millimeter without scanning in depth because of the inconsistent lateral resolution along the depth direction due to its short depth of focus (DoF). Here, we integrate a spatial light modulator (SLM) into the optical path of an OR-PAM for realizing the flexibly adjustable DoF. By simply switching the phase patterns assigned onto the SLM interface, three representative illumination beams are produced, including conventional short-DoF Gaussian beam (GB), needle-like Bessel beam (BB), and extended depth-of-focus beam (EDFB). These modulations can be well realized based on the extended Nijboer-Zernike theory. The photoacoustic excitations show variable DoFs ranging from hundreds of micrometers (GB and BB) up to 1.38 mm (EDFB) but a consistent lateral resolution of ∼3.5 μm. The proposed method is confirmed by volumetric imaging of multiple tungsten fibers positioned at different depths.
Note: Performance estimation of a rotary ultrasonic motor based on two-dimensional analytical model
Authors: Li Chong , Min Rong , Lu Cunyue
Published: October 2018

The comprehension of ultrasonic motor performances as a function of input parameters is a key to intelligent motion control of motor. This paper presents a performance estimation model of a novel rotary ultrasonic motor as a function of input parameters. To evaluate performances of the proposed motor, the finite element software is used to derive the vibration displacements of stator surface points. The output displacements of the points in time domain, which determines the contact state and contact time, are analyzed and compared. Then, a two-dimensional analytical model is constructed. The performances of stead rotation speed and stall torque are deduced. According to the simulated results, a prototype motor is manufactured and tested. The experimental results agree well with the simulation results, which verifies the effectiveness of the presented model.
Phase separation and effect of strain on magnetic properties of Mn3Ga1−xSnxC
Authors: Dias E. T. , Das A. , Hoser A. , Emura S. , Nigam A. K. , Priolkar K. R.
Published: October 2018

While the unit cell volume of compounds belonging to the Mn3Ga1−xSnxC (0 ≤x≤ 1) series shows a conformity with Vegard’s law, their magnetic and magnetocaloric properties behave differently from those of parent compounds Mn3GaC and Mn3SnC. A correlation between the observed magnetic properties and underlying magnetic and local structure suggests that replacing Ga atoms by larger atoms of Sn results in the formation of Ga-rich and Sn-rich clusters. As a result, even though the long range structure appears to be cubic, Mn atoms find themselves in two different local environments. The packing of these two different local structures into a single global structure induces tensile/compressive strains on the Mn6C functional unit and is responsible for the observed magnetic properties across the entire solid solution range.
High performance continuous-wave InP-based 2.1 μm superluminescent diode with InGaAsSb quantum well and cavity structure suppression
Authors: Wang Dongbo , Zhang Jinchuan , Hou Chuncai , Zhao Yue , Cheng Fengmin , Jia Xuefeng , Zhai Shenqiang , Zhuo Ning , Liu Junqi , Liu Fengqi , Wang Zhanguo
Published: October 2018

Broadband spectrum electrically pumped InP-based superluminescent diodes with high output power in continuous-wave (CW) mode are reported. The optimized active region and high quality of quantum wells are guaranteed for controlling the wavelength and acquiring large mode gain. Three kinds of cavity structures were designed to provide strong suppression of reflections allowing strong amplified spontaneous emission without any sign of lasing modes. All device spectrums are centered around 2.1 μm, and at low injection current, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the widest spectrum is 99 nm. After the optimization of the waveguide structure for higher output power, the maximum CW output power is lifted up to 30 mW with the two lobe far field pattern in a single output facet at 300 K and still the FWHM of 41 nm. This work is of great importance to pave the way for demonstrating compact and efficient light sources based on InP material systems. Considering the InP material compatibility with the mature device fabrication process, especially the buried heterostructure, device characteristics would be better improved and be more promising for applications.
Resonance scattering of an extraordinary wave by a cylindrical density depletion in a magnetoplasma
Authors: Ivoninsky Alexander V. , Kudrin Alexander V.
Published: October 2018

Scattering of a normally incident extraordinary (Z mode) wave by a cylindrical density depletion aligned with an external static magnetic field in a magnetoplasma is studied. This problem is of importance for wave diagnostics of plasma density irregularities that can be formed under natural conditions of near-Earth space or during the modification of the ionosphere by high-power radio waves. The emphasis is placed on the behavior of scattering characteristics of the density depletion in the case where the frequency of the incident plane wave coincides with one of the resonant frequencies of such a plasma structure. The field patterns observed in the resonance scattering regimes are calculated and analyzed. The results obtained can be helpful in understanding the basic properties of resonance scattering of electromagnetic waves from the field-aligned density irregularities and planning the related ionospheric and laboratory experiments.
Determining priority of access to physiotherapy at Victorian community health services
Authors: Brown Alison M. C. , Pirotta Marie
Published: October 2018

Prioritisation of clients requesting physiotherapy in Victorian community health services has occurred in the absence of a uniform evidence-based prioritisation process. The effect of the varying prioritisation procedures on client outcomes is unknown. This two-part study sought to answer two questions: what are the current prioritisation practices? And what is the evidence for prioritisation? Staff of Victorian community health services offering physiotherapy (n = 67) were sent a structured questionnaire regarding their prioritisation practices. The questionnaire data revealed a wide range of poorly defined criteria and methods of assessment for prioritisation. The evidence for prioritisation and the use of specific prioritisation criteria were examined via a literature search. The literature suggested the use of acute severe pain, interference with activities of daily living and falls as indicators of need for priority service. The lack of uniformity found in determining priority of access reflects the complexity of determining need and the lack of research and validated tools to assist decision making. Further research into prioritisation criteria is required to determine their validity and if their use in a prioritisation tool would actually improve outcomes for clients.

What is known about the topic?
Although there is some research on medical prioritisation of clients awaiting surgery little is known about prioritisation practices in allied health in general and physiotherapy in particular. There is also little known about client outcomes when clients are either not prioritised or have been incorrectly prioritised. The literature provides expert opinion on the potential usefulness of prioritisation criteria in determining client need.

What does this paper add?
This paper highlights the discrepancy between the various poorly defined and complex physiotherapy prioritisation practices that occurred in Victorian Community Health Services at the time of the study and the literature regarding the assessment of need. The underpinning evidence base for uniform prioritisation criteria is explored. Further research is required into the risks and effect on client outcomes of prioritisation.

What are the implications for practitioners?
Although practitioners, in the absence of any guidelines, have developed their own prioritisation protocols, the Victorian Department of Health has recently mandated the use of a uniform community health prioritisation procedure for physiotherapy and other allied health services, developed from the findings of this research. This study provides practitioners with an understanding of the evidence base for prioritisation criteria and approaches for assessing criteria in practice.
Hidden costs associated with the universal application of risk management in maternity care
Authors: McIntyre Meredith J. , Chapman Ysanne , Francis Karen
Published: October 2018

This paper presents a critical analysis of risk management in maternity care and the hidden costs associated with the practice in healthy women. Issues of quality and safety are driving an increased emphasis by health services on risk management in maternity care. Medical risk in pregnancy is known to benefit 15% or less of all pregnancies. Risk management applied to the remaining 85% of healthy women results in the management of risk in the absence of risk. The health cost to mothers and babies and the economic burden on the overall health system of serious morbidity has been omitted from calculations comparing costs of uncomplicated caesarean birth and uncomplicated vaginal birth. The understanding that elective caesarean birth is cost-neutral when compared to a normal vaginal birth has misled practitioners and contributed to over use of the practice. For the purpose of informing the direction of maternity service policy it is necessary to expose the effect the overuse of medical intervention has on the overall capacity of the healthcare system to absorb the increasing demand for operating theatre resources in the absence of clinical need. What is known about this topic? Australia is experiencing an increase in unexplained caesarean section births in healthy populations of women at a time when risk management is an accepted practice in maternity care irrespective of clinical need. The effect of this increase on health services has been cushioned in the belief that caesarean section is cost neutral when compared with uncomplicated vaginal birth. What does this paper add? This article shows that caesarean section is not cost neutral when compared with uncomplicated vaginal birth. Hidden costs in terms of serious morbidity affecting women’s future health and fertility associated with caesarean delivery in the absence of medical risk need to be calculated into the overall cost burden. Practitioners have been misled in this regard, thereby contributing to overuse of the practice. What are the implications for practitioners? The importance of changing the index measurement of safety and quality of maternity care to include serious morbidity following unexplained caesarean section birth rates and normal births.
Nature and frequency of services provided by child and family health nurses in Australia: results of a national survey
Authors: Schmied Virginia , Fowler Cathrine , Rossiter Chris , Homer Caroline , Kruske Sue , The CHoRUS team
Published: October 2018

Objective
Australia has a system of universal child and family health (CFH) nursing services providing primary health services from birth to school entry. Herein, we report on the findings of the first national survey of CFH nurses, including the ages and circumstances of children and families seen by CFH nurses and the nature and frequency of the services provided by these nurses across Australia.

Methods
A national survey of CFH nurses was conducted.

Results
In all, 1098 CFH nurses responded to the survey. Over 60% were engaged in delivering primary prevention services from a universal platform. Overall, 82.8% reported that their service made first contact with families within 2 weeks of birth, usually in the home (80.7%). The proportion of respondents providing regular support to families decreased as the child aged. Services were primarily health centre based, although 25% reported providing services in other locations (parks, preschools).The timing and location of first contact, the frequency of ongoing services and the composition of families seen by nurses varied across Australian jurisdictions. Nurses identified time constraints as the key barrier to the delivery of comprehensive services.

Conclusions
CFH nurses play an important role in supporting families across Australia. The impact of differences in the CFH nursing provision across Australia requires further investigation.

What is known about the topic?
Countries that offer universal well child health services demonstrate better child health and developmental outcomes than countries that do not. Australian jurisdictions offer free, universal child and family health (CFH) nursing services from birth to school entry.

What does this paper add?
This paper provides nation-wide data on the nature of work undertaken by CFH nurses offering universal care. Across Australia, there are differences in the timing and location of first contact, the frequency of ongoing services and the range of families seen by nurses.

What are the implications for practitioners?
The impact for families of the variation in CFH nursing services offered across Australia is not known. Further research is required to investigate the outcomes of the service provision variations identified in the present study.
A successful application of the embryo rescue technique as a model for studying crosses between Salix viminalis and Populus species
Authors: Bagniewska-Zadworna Agnieszka , Zenkteler Maciej , Zenkteler Elzbieta , Wojciechowicz Maria K. , Barakat Abdelali , Carlson John E.
Published: October 2018

Embryos and plants from the crosses Salix viminalis L. as the female parent and Populus alba L., P. violascens Dode or P. tremula L. as the male parent were obtained by in vitro embryo rescue technique. F1 intergeneric progeny were obtained by overcoming post-zygotic barriers caused by the deficiency of endosperm as nutritive tissue during the first stage of embryo development. Ovules containing immature heart-stage embryos as well as early cotyledonary embryos were isolated and rescued in modified 1/2 MS medium supplemented with 3% sucrose to ensure maturity. Seedlings were cultured under in vitro conditions in 1/2 MS medium that contained 0.2 mg l–1 naphtaleneacetic acid and plantlets after rooting were transferred first into pots and subsequently to the experimental field in the Botanical Garden in Poznań, Poland. After 2 years, the putative hybrid nature of the plants was checked by analysing morphological characters and molecular markers. Scanning electron microscopy, flow cytometry and random amplification of polymorphic DNA screening of individuals confirmed the hybrid nature of the S. viminalis × P. alba and S. viminalis × P. violascens progeny and of 25% of the analysed plants from the cross S. viminalis × P. tremula. This study showed the feasibility of overcoming pre- and post-fertilisation barriers to achieve intergeneric hybrids between species from two genera of Salicaceae. The in vitro system to produce hybrids with characters of both parents could be of great importance for increasing biomass production. This study also opens new opportunities to improve other traits in trees, such as resistance to pathogens inherited from one parent.
Effective Monofunctional Azaphthalocyanine Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Zimcik Petr , Miletin Miroslav , Novakova Veronika , Kopecky Kamil , Nejedla Marcela , Stara Vendula , Sedlackova Katerina
Published: October 2018

In this work we present a rational design of the active part of third generation photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy based on phthalocyanine and an azaphthalocyanine core. The preferred zinc complexes of the AAAB type that contain bulky tert-butylsulfanyl substituents (A) and one carboxy group (B) have been synthesized by statistical condensation and fully characterized. The tetramerization was performed using magnesium(ii) butoxide followed by demetalation and insertion of ZnII. Compound 1 synthesized from 4,5-bis(tert-butylsulfanyl)phthalonitrile (A) and 2,3-dicyanoquinoxaline-6-carboxylic acid (B) exerted very promising photophysical properties (Q-band absorption at 726 nm, ϵ = 140000 M–1 cm–1), which allowed strong absorption of light at long wavelengths where the penetration of the light through human tissues is deeper. The very high singlet oxygen quantum yield of 1 (ΦΔ = 0.80) assures efficient photosensitization. As a result of bulky peripheral substituents, compound 1 shows good solubility in organic solvents with a low degree of aggregation, which makes it potentially viable for non-complicated modification. One carboxy group in the final structure of 1 allows simple binding to possible carriers. This compound is suitable for binding to targeting moieties to form the highly active part of a third-generation photosensitizer.
Silicon Analogues of Polyfluorene as Materials for Organic Electronics
Authors: Wong Wallace W. H. , Hooper Joel F. , Holmes Andrew B.
Published: October 2018

Poly(dibenzosilole)s have been increasingly reported as an alternative to polyfluorene in organic electronic materials. Poly(dibenzosilole)s show similar optical properties to polyfluorene, but with improved resistance to oxidation and thermal stability. Several poly(dibenzosilole)s and their co-polymers have been incorporated into organic electronic devices, such as light emitting diodes and solar cells. These materials have shown improved performance over their polyfluorene-based counterparts.
Multi-wavelength Optical Imaging of Human Tumour Xenografts
Authors: Wang Wei , Cameron Arlin G. , Wendt Juliet A. , Mawad Michel E. , Ke Shi
Published: October 2018

In vivo optical imaging methods have become a cornerstone of pre-clinical cancer research. Genetically modified cells with fluorescent or bioluminescent reporters allow researchers to non-invasively study tumour proliferation and biochemistry over time. Target-specific fluorescent probes may be used to reveal specific tumour properties such as growth patterns, neovasculature formation, and compartmental probe absorbance. Herein, we demonstrate the simultaneous optical imaging of these tumour properties in a human neuroblastoma model. We used luciferase-positive cancer cells, a neovasculature specific fluorescent probe, and a fluorescent tumour cell target-specific agent, in conjunction with X-ray/CT for anatomical localization. These experiments revealed a detailed map of the tumour progression and biological interactions with imaging agents within the tumour.
Raman Spectroscopic Imaging of Cholesterol and Docosahexaenoic Acid Distribution in the Retinal Rod Outer Segment
Authors: Schultz Zachary D.
Published: October 2018

Raman vibrational spectroscopic imaging was performed on retinal rod cells isolated from bullfrogs (Rana catesbeiana). The Raman spectra enable determination of the lipid and protein rich rod outer segment (ROS) from the nucleus and inner segment of the cell. Peak fitting analysis of spectra obtained from individual rod photoreceptor cells show characteristic vibrational modes that can be associated with cholesterol and docosahexaenoic acid-containing lipids. These results provide direct observations of biomolecular gradients in the rod photoreceptor cells, which, thus far, have been based on indirect detergent extracts and histochemical analysis with indicators such as filipin. The detected biomolecules are associated with regulation of the integral membrane protein rhodopsin, and methods capable of direct observation of these biomolecules offer new routes to exploring their role in the regulation of cellular processes.
Higher Order Acenes and Fused Acenes with Near-infrared Absorption and Emission
Authors: Sun Zhe , Wu Jishan
Published: October 2018

Higher order acenes and fused acenes represent two outstanding classes of building blocks to achieve near-infrared absorbing and emitting materials. Appropriate chemical modification and functionalization will lead to significant improvements in solubility and stability, thus making their applications practically possible. This short review summarizes the recent developments of the two types of polycyclic aromatic compounds mentioned above based on their physical and optical properties including absorption, emission, quantum yield, solubility, and stability.
Molecular Imaging of Red Blood Cells by Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Wood Bayden R. , Stoddart Paul R. , McNaughton Donald
Published: October 2018

Raman spectroscopy allows visualization of 2D and 3D chemical distributions at high spatial resolution in a wide range of samples. It is insensitive to water, which makes it particularly attractive for applications in the biological sciences. At the same time, technical advances have allowed the laser excitation power to be reduced on thermally sensitive samples, without sacrificing acquisition times. This review highlights the analytical and diagnostic potential of Raman imaging techniques by reference to recent studies of red blood cells. In the case of red blood cells infected with low-pigmented forms of the malaria parasite, molecular images reveal sub-micron-inclusions of haemozoin, which suggests that the technique has potential for early-stage diagnosis of the disease.