bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Lateral Control Scheme for Autonomous Vehicle with Uneven Time Delays Induced by Vision Sensors
Authors: Liu Qi , Liu Yahui , Liu Congzhi , Chen Baiming , Zhang Wenhao , Li Liang , Ji Xuewu
Published: August 2018

Vision-based sensors are widely used in lateral control of autonomous vehicles, but the large computational cost of the visual algorithms often induces uneven time delays. In this paper, a hierarchical vision-based lateral control scheme is proposed, where the upper controller is designed by robust H∞-based linear quadratic regulator (LQR) algorithm to compensate sensor-induced delays, and the lower controller is based on logic threshold method, in order to achieve strong convergence of the steering angle. Firstly, the vehicle lateral model is built, and the nonlinear uncertainties induced by time delays are linearized with Taylor expansion. Secondly, the state space of the system is augmented to describe such uncertainties with polytopic inclusions, which is controlled by an H∞-based LQR controller with a low cost of online computation. Then, a lower controller is designed for the control of the steering motor. According to the results of the vehicle experiment as well as the hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experiment, the proposed control scheme shows good performance in vehicle’s lateral control task, and exhibits better robustness compared with a conventional LQR controller. The proposed control scheme provides a feasible solution for the lateral control of autonomous driving.
Scoping Review of Systems to Train Psychomotor Skills in Hearing Impaired Children
Authors: Peñeñory Victor M. , Manresa-Yee Cristina , Riquelme Inmaculada , Collazos Cesar A. , Fardoun Habib M.
Published: August 2018

Objectives: The aim of this work is to provide a scoping review to compile and classify the systems helping train and enhance psychomotor skills in hearing impaired (HI) children. Methods: Based on an exhaustive review on psychomotor deficits in HI children, the procedure used to carry out a scoping review was: select keywords and identify synonyms, select databases and prepare the queries using keywords, analyze the quality of the works found using the PEDro Scale, classify the works based on psychomotor competences, analyze the interactive systems (e.g., sensors), and the achieved results. Results: Thirteen works were found. These works used a variety of sensors and input devices such as cameras, contact sensors, touch screens, mouse and keyboard, tangible objects, haptic and virtual reality (VR) devices. Conclusions: From the research it was possible to contextualize the deficits and psychomotor problems of HI children that prevent their normal development. Additionally, from the analysis of different proposals of interactive systems addressed to this population, it was possible to establish the current state of the use of different technologies and how they contribute to psychomotor rehabilitation.
Accurate Indoor Localization Based on CSI and Visibility Graph
Authors: Wu Zhefu , Jiang Lei , Jiang Zhuangzhuang , Chen Bin , Liu Kai , Xuan Qi , Xiang Yun
Published: August 2018

Passive indoor localization techniques can have many important applications. They are nonintrusive and do not require users carrying measuring devices. Therefore, indoor localization techniques are widely used in many critical areas, such as security, logistics, healthcare, etc. However, because of the unpredictable indoor environment dynamics, the existing nonintrusive indoor localization techniques can be quite inaccurate, which greatly limits their real-world applications. To address those problems, in this work, we develop a channel state information (CSI) based indoor localization technique. Unlike the existing methods, we employ both the intra-subcarrier statistics features and the inter-subcarrier network features. Specifically, we make the following contributions: (1) we design a novel passive indoor localization algorithm which combines the statistics and network features; (2) we modify the visibility graph (VG) technique to build complex networks for the indoor localization applications; and (3) we demonstrate the effectiveness of our technique using real-world deployments. The experimental results show that our technique can achieve about 96% accuracy on average and is more than 9% better than the state-of-the-art techniques.
Gulf of Mexico Seafood Harvesters: Part 3. Potential Occupational Risk Reduction Measures
Authors: Myers Melvin L. , Durborow Robert M. , Kane Andrew S.
Published: August 2018

1. Background: Fishers face many occupational hazards that include a high risk of fatal and nonfatal injuries and a variety of adverse health effects. Our purpose is to provide an overview of potential countermeasures for the control of hazards that threaten the health and safety of Gulf of Mexico (GoM) fish harvesters. 2. Method: Search terms were used to identify relevant literature; two previous reviews regarding injuries and health risk factors also inform this review. 3. Results: Countermeasures against these hazards include winch guards, lifting devices, job redesign, non-slip decks and vessel stability controls as well as using personal flotation devices, wearing gloves and high-friction footwear, increasing sleep time and using vessel motion to assist lifting. Knowledge about secondary prevention (such as rescue, first aid and making mayday calls) is also important. Learning through experience is a crucial factor that incorporates other fishers’ experiences with innovations. Fatigue and lack of sleep contribute to vessel disasters and injury-related errors. 4. Conclusions: The prevention of injuries and diseases among GoM fishers depends on a combination of focusing on work-processes, instilling a broader safety culture, engineering controls, identifying and sharing fisher innovations, promoting fall overboard prevention and protection and providing culture-based incentives, training and narrative outreach.
Roma Representation in Danish Roma Policy and Public Discourse—A Critical Analysis
Authors: Lassen Olesen Charlotte , Eklund Karlsson Leena
Published: August 2018

Imagined stereotypes of Roma are prevailing across Europe and have an impact of discrimination and social exclusion of the Roma. In 2011, Denmark published their National Roma Inclusion Strategy as a response to the Europe 2020 Growth Strategy. This study analyses how the Roma are represented in the national policy and in ongoing discourse regarding Roma in newspaper articles published around the time of the publication of the Strategy. A critical discourse analysis was conducted, and the findings show that a profound stigmatization of the Roma was common and acceptable in both Danish nationalistic media discourse and in the paternalistic policy discourse. The Roma were represented as an alienated, non-empowered group in contrast to the majority population and lacking any useful qualities. There was a lack of Roma voices in both policy and newspapers. The discourses regarding Roma in Denmark are lacking both Roma influence and initiatives to change Roma conditions.
Examining the Relationship between Household Vehicle Ownership and Ridesharing Behaviors in the United States
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Yuming
Published: August 2018

To improve the sustainability and efficiency of transport systems, communities and government agencies throughout the United States (US) are looking for ways to reduce vehicle ownership and single-occupant trips by encouraging people to shift from driving to using more sustainable transport modes (such as ridesharing). Ridesharing is a cost-effective, sustainable and effective alternative transportation mode that is beneficial to the environment, the economy and society. Despite the potential effect of vehicle ownership on the adoption of ridesharing services, individuals’ ridesharing behaviors and the interdependencies between vehicle ownership and ridesharing usage are not well understood. This study aims to fill the gap by examining the associations between household vehicle ownership and the frequency and probability of ridesharing usage, and to estimate the effects of household vehicle ownership on individuals’ ridesharing usage in the US. We conducted zero-inflated negative binomial regression models using data from the 2017 National Household Travel Survey. The results show that, in general, one-vehicle reduction in households was significantly associated with a 7.9% increase in the frequency of ridesharing usage and a 23.0% increase in the probability of ridesharing usage. The effects of household vehicle ownership on the frequency of ridesharing usage are greater for those who live in areas with a higher population density than those living in areas with a lower population density. Young people, men, those who are unable to drive, individuals with high household income levels, and those who live in areas with rail service or a higher population density, tend to use ridesharing more frequently and are more likely to use it. These findings can be used as guides for planners or practitioners to better understand individuals’ ridesharing behaviors, and to identify policies and interventions to increase the potential of ridesharing usage, and to decrease household vehicle ownership, depending on different contextual features and demographic variables. Comprehensive strategies that limit vehicle ownership and address the increasing demand for ridesharing have the potential to improve the sustainability of transportation systems.
Agroecology in Mediterranean Europe: Genesis, State and Perspectives
Authors: Migliorini Paola , Gkisakis Vasileios , Gonzalvez Victor , Raigón Ma Dolores , Bàrberi Paolo
Published: August 2018

The Mediterranean agro-food systems need to be properly managed. A promising pathway is the transition towards more sustainable food systems through agroecology, which represents the ecology of food systems. In this paper, the state-of-the-art of agroecology is described for three representative euro-Mediterranean countries: Italy, Greece, and Spain. The analysis has been partly based on results of a dedicated literature search and partly on grey literature and expert knowledge. After an overview of the history of agroecology, targeted research and education, collective action (political and social), and some agroecological practices in the three countries are presented. These countries share a rather similar use of the term “agroecology”, but they differ regarding (i) the existence/extent of strong civil and social movements; (ii) the type of study/educational programmes, and the relative importance of different scientific disciplines and their evolution; (iii) the development of political support and legal frameworks; and (iv) the elaboration of concepts to rediscover traditional practices and apply new ones, often taken from the organic agriculture sector. Agroecology is an emerging concept for the Mediterranean agricultural sector, with huge potential due to the peculiar socio-cultural, bio-physical, and political-economic features of the region. To boost agroecology in Mediterranean Europe, better networking and engagement of different actors within a coherent institutional framework supporting the transition is strongly needed.
Regime-Switching Determinants for Spreads of Emerging Markets Sovereign Credit Default Swaps
Authors: Ma Jason , Deng Xiang , Ho Kung-Cheng , Tsai Sang-Bing
Published: August 2018

Using the Markov regime switching approach, we investigate the dependency of short term sovereign credit default swap (SCDS) spread changes on a nation’s country-specific fundamental factors, local, regional and macroeconomic global factors. We find that the significance of the determinants of SCDS spread changes differ across the two states of our regime-switching model. Specifically, in the good state, the weekly SCDS spread changes are mainly determined by local, regional and fundamental factors; whereas global variables have a stronger influence in the bad regime. In particular, US market returns play a dominant role in influencing the SCDS spread change in the bad state suggesting loss aversion and flight–to–quality behavior of investors. We then examine the cross-sectional differences of the above regime switching effect based on country-specific characters and find that the regime switching effect is associated with a nation’s country-specific characters such as openness, economic size and so forth.
Formulating and Optimizing a Novel Biochar-Based Fertilizer for Simultaneous Slow-Release of Nitrogen and Immobilization of Cadmium
Authors: Chen Lu , Chen Qincheng , Rao Pinhua , Yan Lili , Shakib Alghashm , Shen Guoqing
Published: August 2018

This study aimed to develop and optimize a novel biochar-based fertilizer composed of rice husk biochar and urea–hydrogen peroxide (UHP), which can simultaneously slowly release nitrogen and immobilize cadmium (Cd). Response surface methodology (RSM) was adopted to optimize the fertilizer formulation with the lowest nitrogen release rate. Under the optimized conditions, the cumulative nitrogen release rate of the biochar-based fertilizer was 17.63%, which was significantly lower than that of ordinary fertilizer. Elementary analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy proved that UHP attached to the porous structures of the biochar. The adsorption test showed that the adsorption of Cd onto biochar-based fertilizer quickly reached equilibrium with an equilibrium adsorbing quantity (Qe) of 6.3279 mg·g−1 with an initial concentration of 10 mg·L−1. Compared to original biochar, the Cd immobilization ability of biochar-based fertilizer was significantly better. The adsorption of Cd on biochar-based fertilizer is mainly based on a monolayer adsorption behavior. Finally, improved crop growth was demonstrated by pot experiments, which showed a significant increase in the biomass of cabbage. The concept and findings presented in this study may be used as references in developing a novel biochar-based fertilizer for simultaneously enhancing crop yield and reducing environmental risk.
Pro-Environmental Behaviour in Student Residences at Rhodes University, South Africa
Authors: Thondhlana Gladman , Hlatshwayo Thina N.
Published: August 2018

Human behaviour is at the centre of most environmental problems; hence, the promotion of pro-environmental behaviour is considered to be a pathway towards sustainability. Despite the availability of insights gained from pro-environmental behaviour studies, mainly from household and workplace settings, a key question remains—can these insights be applied in university residence settings? Within university campuses, student residences are a major entity in sustainability debates because they are major consumers of resources including paper, water and energy with severe repercussions for university budgets and the environment. Using a questionnaire survey, this study explores reported pro-environmental behaviour and its determinants at Rhodes University, South Africa. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics where relevant. The findings show a high level of heterogeneity in reported pro-environmental behaviour, attributed to a suite of internal and external factors. Internal dispositional factors seemed to constrain students from acting pro-environmentally. This study highlights the need to encourage environmental behaviour in university residence settings by supporting the antecedents of and getting rid of barriers to pro-environmental actions.
Development of a Program Definition Rating Index for the Performance Prediction of Construction Programs
Authors: Cha Yongwoon , Kim Jonghyeob , Hyun Chang-taek , Han Sangwon
Published: August 2018

Program management is the structured and strategic process of managing multiple projects at a high level to maximize benefits. The essentials of programs include high costs and long implementation periods, and thus, the negative impacts caused by the failure of program management are more significant and greater than that of a project. Therefore, to achieve high program performance, it is essential for program management to be well defined during the early stages. However, the existing research is mainly focused on the performance prediction methodologies for projects, while the research pertaining to programs has concentrated on identifying the qualitative critical success factors (CSFs). Thus, this study developed a methodology for predicting the program performance. Forty-five CSFs were identified herein from literature review and expert interviews, then grouped through factor analysis. In addition, the Program Definition Rating Index (PgDRI) was developed by calculating the weights of the proposed CSFs through structured equation modeling in order to evaluate the quantitative program performance. For validation, the PgDRI was applied to three in-progress cases, and the PgDRI scores were compared with the actual performance of each case. The PgDRI developed in this study can contribute to the body of knowledge pertaining to program management by quantifying the performance management of a program. In addition, the PgDRI can be utilized in the performance management of a program in terms of the cost and schedule by allowing practitioners to apply the PgDRI repeatedly to the major decision-making processes during the early stages of a program.
Morphological Precision Assessment of Reconstructed Surface Models for a Coral Atoll Lagoon
Authors: Wang Qi , Su Fenzhen , Zhang Yu , Jiang Huiping , Cheng Fei
Published: August 2018

In addition to remote-sensing monitoring, reconstructing morphologic surface models through interpolation is an effective means to reflect the geomorphological evolution, especially for the lagoons of coral atolls, which are underwater. However, which interpolation method is optimal for lagoon geomorphological reconstruction and how to assess the morphological precision have been unclear. To address the aforementioned problems, this study proposed a morphological precision index system including the root mean square error (RMSE) of the elevation, the change rate of the local slope shape (CRLSS), and the change rate of the local slope aspect (CRLSA), and introduced the spatial appraisal and valuation approach of environment and ecosystems (SAVEE). In detail, ordinary kriging (OK), inverse distance weighting (IDW), radial basis function (RBF), and local polynomial interpolation (LPI) were used to reconstruct the lagoon surface models of a typical coral atoll in South China Sea and the morphological precision of them were assessed, respectively. The results are as follows: (i) OK, IDW, and RBF exhibit the best performance in terms of RMSE (0.3584 m), CRLSS (51.43%), and CRLSA (43.29%), respectively, while with insufficiently robust when considering all three aspects; (ii) IDW, LPI, and RBF are suitable for lagoon slopes, lagoon bottoms, and patch reefs, respectively; (iii) The geomorphic decomposition scale is an important factor that affects the precision of geomorphologic reconstructions; and, (iv) This system and evaluation approach can more comprehensively consider the differences in multiple precision indices.
How Are Local Policies Promoting Older People’s Mobility? A Case Study
Authors: Santinha Gonçalo , Costa Catarina , Diogo Sara
Published: August 2018

Aging populations pose a challenge to many policy areas. Although the importance of the built environment on citizens’ mobility and quality of life has been widely acknowledged in the literature, research focusing on elderly people is relatively recent and still scarce namely in Portugal. This article aims at understanding how local stakeholders perceive the built environment and occupational activities targeted to the elderly. The article focuses on the municipality of Viseu, a medium-sized city located in the NUTSII Centro Region of Portugal, considered twice to be the best city to live in in Portugal. Document analysis and face-to-face semi-structured interviews of local stakeholders were conducted. Findings show that there is still a need to take further policy steps to allow older adults to be more active and to promote the neighbourhood’s walkability.
Spatial Agency: Creating New Opportunities for Sharing and Collaboration in Older People’s Cohousing
Authors: Hammond Mark
Published: August 2018

Older people’s cohousing enables individuals to share spaces, resources, activities, and knowledge to expand their capability to act in society. Despite the diverse social, economic, and ethical aims that inform the creation of every cohousing community, there is often a disconnect between the social discourse developed by cohousing groups and the architectural spaces they create. This is a consequence of the building development process in cohousing, in which groups of older people are tasked with making decisions with considerable spatial implications prior to any collaboration with an architect. The concept of “spatial agency” offers an alternative model for the creation of cohousing, in which the expansion of architectural practice beyond aesthetic and technical building design enables social and spatial considerations to be explored contemporaneously. This study uses a two-year design-research collaboration with a cohousing group in Manchester, UK, to test the opportunities and constraints posed by a “spatial agency” approach to cohousing. The collaboration demonstrated how spatial agency enables both the architect and cohouser to act more creatively through a mutual sharing of knowledge, and, in doing so, tests new opportunities of sharing that are currently outside the cohousing orthodoxy.
Maternal Immunity and the Natural History of Congenital Human Cytomegalovirus Infection
Authors: Britt William J.
Published: August 2018

Congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the most common viral infection of the developing fetus, and a significant cause of neurodevelopmental abnormalities in infants and children. Congenital HCMV infections account for an estimated 25% of all cases of hearing loss in the US. It has long been argued that maternal adaptive immune responses to HCMV can modify both the likelihood of intrauterine transmission of HCMV, and the severity of fetal infection and risk of long term sequelae in infected infants. Over the last two decades, multiple studies have challenged this paradigm, including findings that have demonstrated that the vast majority of infants with congenital HCMV infections in most populations are born to women with established immunity prior to conception. Furthermore, the incidence of clinically apparent congenital HCMV infection in infants born to immune and non-immune pregnant women appears to be similar. These findings from natural history studies have important implications for the design, development, and testing of prophylactic vaccines and biologics for this perinatal infection. This brief overview will provide a discussion of existing data from human natural history studies and animal models of congenital HCMV infections that have described the role of maternal immunity in the natural history of this perinatal infection.
Combination of Suicide and Cytokine Gene Therapies as Surgery Adjuvant for Canine Mammary Carcinoma
Authors: Finocchiaro Liliana M. E. , Spector Agustina I. M. , Agnetti Lucrecia , Arbe M. Florencia , Glikin Gerardo C.
Published: August 2018

The incidence of canine mammary carcinoma varies with age, breed, and spay status, being among the main tumors appearing in intact female dogs. Thirty-six canine mammary carcinoma patients received injections of canine interferon-β (cIFN-β) and HSV-thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV) carrying lipoplexes, into the tumor bed, immediately after surgery. Next, they started periodic subcutaneous injections of lipoplexes carrying a human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor and interleukin-2 mixed with allogeneic mammary carcinoma extracts. This combined strategy was safe and well tolerated. In addition, only two out of 26 patients treated with complete surgery developed a local relapse, and 0 out of 29 stage II and III patients displayed distant metastases, suggesting both local and systemic antitumor activities. The most encouraging result was the long survival times: 22 > 1 year (where 13 > 2 and 4 > 3 years), while maintaining a good quality of life. The preliminary results in five patients presenting with local disease, an additional HSV-tk/GCV plus cIFN-β gene treatment induced local antitumor activity, evidenced by four objective responses (one complete, three partial) and one stable disease. This successful outcome supports further studies to validate this approach not only for canine veterinary patients, but also for translation to human patients.
A Wideband Piezoelectric Energy Harvester Design by Using Multiple Non-Uniform Bimorphs
Authors: Keshmiri Alireza , Wu Nan
Published: August 2018

This paper presents an analytical approach for the development of a new wideband piezoelectric energy harvesting system. The proposed model is based on Adomian decomposition method to derive the dynamic response of the general non-uniform smart structures under external environmental excitations over a wide frequency domain efficiently harvesting the subsequent vibrational energy. The steady-state response of a nonlinearly tapered piezoelectric harvester subjected to harmonic base motion is obtained, and the higher potential electromechanical outputs compared with traditional uniform harvester are analytically derived. Afterward, a group of nonlinearly tapered cantilevers with the same volume and length but different taper ratios and surface bonded piezoelectric layers are assembled together in order to build a broadband piezoelectric energy harvester. Through numerical studies, it is proven that with the proposed non-uniform configuration, the new energy harvester design can function effectively and efficiently with high voltage output over a wide frequency range. The designed wideband harvester can automatically activate one of the non-uniform bimorphs to resonate at particular ambient vibration frequencies and eventually reach the maximum electromechanical output. Based on the proposed theoretical model, an optimum structural design for the wideband piezoelectric energy harvester in the required operational frequency range can be efficiently achieved.
Monitoring the Chloride Concentration in International Scheldt River Basin District Water Using a Low-Cost Multifunction Data Acquisition Board
Authors: Guedens Wanda J. , Reynders Monique , Van Vinckenroye Koen , Yperman Jan , Carleer Robert
Published: August 2018

In analytical chemistry laboratories, to gather in the shortest time as many data as possible with the utmost accuracy and precision, high throughput automated setups are indispensable. In the present study, to determine the chloride concentration in the international Scheldt river basin district, experiments are carried out utilizing a thermostatically controlled semi-automated setup. A novel ICT-based method is developed using a low-cost multifunction Data Acquisition Board (DAQ) controlled by a homebuilt LabVIEW™ program. Specifically, this approach enables a correlation between different parameters i.e., droplet volume, temperature, A/D voltage conversions. Here, processing experimental data of a potentiometric precipitation titration utilizing a silver nitrate standard solution as titrant in a manual burette equipped with a controllable electronic valve allows for a preliminary indication of the titration end point via the Virtual Instrument (VI) numerical first derivative tool in the LabVIEW software. The LabVIEW tool is compared with the well-known Gran method implemented in the LabVIEW program, emphasizing an accurate performance of the setup to determine the chloride concentration in fresh river water. We are confident that our findings are evidence of the versatile and powerful features of the LabVIEW controlled DAQ in the analytical chemistry laboratory.
An Optimal Model for Water Resources Risk Hedging Based on Water Option Trading
Authors: Yan Haibin , Zhong Ping-An , Chen Juan , Xu Bin , Wu Yenan , Zhu Feilin
Published: August 2018

The uncertainty of forecasted runoffs brings risks of water shortages to water users in the intake area of long-distance water transfer projects, and the uncertainty of spot market prices may cause them to buy water at high prices. In order to hedge these risks, this paper proposes a risk hedging model for decision-making in water option trading from the viewpoint of water users. With the objective of maximizing the expected revenue of water users, the proposed model was solved by an analytical method and an optimal water option strategy was obtained for the users. The proposed model is applied to an intake area of an inter-basin water transfer project in China. The results show that the proposed water option trading model can provide water users with an optimal option strategy. The optimal options trading strategy can effectively reduce the risk caused by the uncertainties of forecasted runoffs and water prices. We also explored the influence of the uncertainty degree of the forecasted runoffs and water price on the option trading strategy. The results show that the expected revenue of water users increases as the variances of the errors of forecasted runoffs and water prices increase.
Understanding the Main Causes of Runoff Change by Hydrological Modeling: A Case Study in Luanhe River Basin, North China
Authors: Zhang Ting , Wang Yixuan , Wang Bing , Feng Ping
Published: August 2018

In the traditional point of view, if there is a significant decreasing trend for a runoff time series, while no significant trend for a precipitation series is present, then an unreliable conclusion will be made that the land surface change is the main contributor to the runoff change. To test it, we selected four sub-watersheds in the Luanhe river basin as the study areas where land use has changed severely. We first detected the long-term rainfall and runoff trend by the Mann–Kendall test, Sen’s slope, and the moving average method, and found that the runoff had a decreasing trend at the 0.05 significance level, while the rainfall had no significant trend in all sub-watersheds. Then an orderly cluster analysis and moving T test method were used to detect the change point of the runoff series. We quantified the contributions of the land surface change and climate variability based on Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT), and the contribution of climate variability accounted for more than 50%, which implies that climate change is the main factor of runoff decrease in the study areas. To further test this, a trend analysis of a reconstructed annual runoff time series under undisturbed conditions has been done. The results showed that in some sub-watersheds, although rainfall series had no significant decreasing trend, the runoff series had significant downward trend. This can be explained by the nonlinear relationship between rainfall and runoff. This study came to a different conclusion from the common view, which observes that runoff decrease is mainly caused by land surface change if rainfall series lacks a significantly decreasing trend.
Localized photodeposition of catalysts using nanophotonic resonances in silicon photocathodes
Authors: Kontoleta Evgenia , Askes Sven H C , Lai Lai-Hung , Garnett Erik C
Published: August 2018

Nanostructured semiconductors feature resonant optical modes that confine light absorption in specific areas called “hot spots”. These areas can be used for localized extraction of the photogenerated charges, which in turn could drive chemical reactions for synthesis of catalytic materials. In this work, we use these nanophotonic hot spots in vertical silicon nanowires to locally deposit platinum nanoparticles in a photo-electrochemical system. The tapering angle of the silicon nanowires as well as the excitation wavelength are used to control the location of the hot spots together with the deposition sites of the platinum catalyst. A combination of finite difference time domain (FDTD) simulations with scanning electron microscopy image analysis showed a reasonable correlation between the simulated hot spots and the actual experimental localization and quantity of platinum atoms. This nanophotonic approach of driving chemical reactions at the nanoscale using the optical properties of the photo-electrode, can be very promising for the design of lithography-free and efficient hierarchical nanostructures for the generation of solar fuels.
Applications of organocatalysed visible-light photoredox reactions for medicinal chemistry
Authors: Bogdos Michael K , Pinard Emmanuel , Murphy John A
Published: August 2018

The focus of this review is to provide an overview of the field of organocatalysed photoredox chemistry relevant to synthetic medicinal chemistry. Photoredox transformations have been shown to enable key transformations that are important to the pharmaceutical industry. This type of chemistry has also demonstrated a high degree of sustainability, especially when organic dyes can be employed in place of often toxic and environmentally damaging transition metals. The sections are arranged according to the general class of the presented reactions and the value of these methods to medicinal chemistry is considered. An overview of the general characteristics of the photocatalysts as well as some electrochemical data is presented. In addition, the general reaction mechanisms for organocatalysed photoredox transformations are discussed and some individual mechanistic considerations are highlighted in the text when appropriate.
The Spatial Distribution of Satellite Galaxies Selected from Redshift Space
Authors: Ágústsson Ingólfur , Brainerd Tereasa G.
Published: August 2018

We investigate the spatial distribution of satellite galaxies using a mock redshift survey of the first Millennium Run simulation. The satellites were identified using common redshift space criteria, therefore the sample includes a large percentage of interlopers. The satellite locations are well fitted by a combination of a Navarro, Frenk and White (NFW) density profile and a power law. At fixed stellar mass, the NFW scale parameter, r

s
, for the satellite distribution of red hosts exceeds r

s
for the satellite distribution of blue hosts. In both cases, the dependence of r

s
on host stellar mass is well fitted by a power law. For the satellites of red hosts,

r

s

red

∝

(

M

*

/

M

⊙

)

0.71
±
0.05

, while for the satellites of blue hosts

r

s

blue

∝

(

M

*

/

M

⊙

)

0.48
±
0.07

. For hosts with stellar masses

M

*

≳
4
×

10

10

M

⊙

, the satellite distribution around blue hosts is more concentrated than is the satellite distribution around red hosts. The spatial distribution of the satellites of red hosts traces that of the hosts’ halos; however, the spatial distribution of the satellites of blue hosts is more concentrated than that of the hosts’ halos by a factor of ∼2. Our methodology is general, and applies to any analysis of satellites in a mock redshift survey. However, our conclusions necessarily depend upon the semi-analytic galaxy formation model that was adopted, and different galaxy formation models may yield different results.
Spectroscopic Investigation of a Reionized Galaxy Overdensity at z = 7
Authors: Castellano M. , Pentericci L. , Vanzella E. , Marchi F. , Fontana A. , Dayal P. , Ferrara A. , Hutter A. , Carniani S. , Cristiani S. , Dickinson M. , Gallerani S. , Giallongo E. , Giavalisco M. , Grazian A. , Maiolino R. , Merlin E. , Paris D. , Pilo S. , Santini P.
Published: August 2018

We present deep spectroscopic follow-up observations of the Bremer Deep Field (BDF), where the two z ∼ 7 bright Lyα emitters (LAE) BDF521 and BDF3299 were previously discovered by Vanzella et al. and where a factor of ∼3–4 overdensity of faint LBGs has been found by Castellano et al. We confirm a new bright Lyα emitter, BDF2195, at the same redshift of BDF521, z = 7.008 and at only ∼90 kpc physical distance from it, confirming that the BDF area is likely an overdense, reionized region. A quantitative assessment of the Lyα fraction shows that the number of detected bright emitters is much higher than the average found at z ∼ 7, suggesting a high Lyα transmission through the intergalactic medium. However, the line visibility from fainter galaxies is at odds with this finding, as no Lyα emission is found in any of the observed candidates with M
UV > −20.25. This discrepancy can be understood either if some mechanism prevents Lyα emission from fainter galaxies within the ionized bubbles from reaching the observer, or if faint galaxies are located outside the reionized area and bright LAEs are solely responsible for the creation of their own H ii regions. A thorough assessment of the nature of the BDF region and of its sources of re-ionizing radiation will be made possible by James Webb Space Telescope spectroscopic capabilities.
Horner Syndrome as a Rare Complication of Radiofrequency Tonsil Ablation
Authors: Topcu-Yilmaz Pinar , Kutluk Sedef , Onder Feyza
Published: August 2018

Horner syndrome is a rare but likely underdiagnosed complication of tonsillary surgery. The authors report the case of a 2.5-year-old boy who developed miosis and mild ptosis after radiofrequency tonsil ablation surgery. Pharmacologic testing with apraclonidine 0.5% eye drops confirmed left Horner syndrome. This case highlights the close anatomical relationship between the tonsils and cervical sympathetic trunk and draws attention to the occurrence of Horner syndrome after tonsillectomy.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2018;55:e14–e15.]
Surgical Management in Type 1 Monocular Elevation Deficiency
Authors: Ocak Osman Bulut , Inal Asli , Aygit Ebru Demet , Celik Selcen , Ocak Serap Yurttaser , Karabulut Gamze Ozturk , Gokyigit Birsen
Published: August 2018

Purpose:

To evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment in patients with type 1 monocular elevation deficiency.

Methods:

Patients who were diagnosed as having type 1 monocular elevation deficiency by forced duction test and exaggerated traction test between 2000 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Epidemiologic and clinical features of the patients were noted. The efficacy of ipsilateral inferior rectus recession to vertical misalignments and limitation of elevation were evaluated. The clinical features of the patients who did not achieve surgical success after inferior rectus recession were determined. The surgical and functional results of contralateral superior rectus recession were evaluated for patients who had residual hypotropia under inferior rectus recession.

Results:

Thirty-nine patients were included in the study. Preoperatively, vertical deviations were 20.53 ± 4.50 prism diopters (PD) for near and 22.21 ± 5.12 PD for distance. After inferior rectus recession, the amount of vertical deviation corrected was 15 ± 1.14 PD for near and 17.01 ± 2.00 PD for distance. Ten (25.64%) patients did not achieve surgical success (> 6 PD residual hypotropia). Nine patients (preoperative inferior rectus recession measurements = 28.77 ± 7.25 PD for near and 27 ± 7.44 PD for distance) underwent contralateral superior rectus recession as a second surgery. After contralateral superior rectus recession, 7 of 9 (77.78%) patients achieved surgical success. The limitation of elevation significantly improved after both surgeries (Wilcoxon test,
P
< .05). No diplopia or other complications after surgeries were reported.

Conclusions:

Inferior rectus recession is the first surgical option for patients with type 1 monocular elevation deficiency. Contralateral superior rectus recession is an effective alternative surgical treatment for residual hypotropia after ipsilateral inferior rectus recession.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2018;55(6):369–374.]
Rectal, axillary, and tympanic temperatures inneonates and infants with or without fever
Authors: Shagleb Asma , Saad Zinab , Sagher Fauzi
Published: August 2018

Objectives: To evaluate the agreement between temperature measured at the axilla or tympanic to rectum using standard techniques. Patients and Methods: We studied 50 neonates and 50 infants admitted to special care baby unit and Pediatric Gastroenterology Department with or without fever. Preterm, sick, malnourished neonates and uncooperative and crying infants were excluded from the study. Verbal consent from mothers was taken before the measurements. To adjust for rectal temperature, 0.55°C added to neonates and 0.65°C to infants' axillary temperature, 0.1°C to neonates, and 0.45°C to infants' tympanic membrane temperature. Results: There was a strong correlation (r) between 0.79 and 0.89 for axillary temperature with rectal temperature in neonates and infants, males and females, and for tympanic temperature with rectal in male infants. However, moderate correlation (r) was between 0.73 and 0.76 for tympanic temperature with rectal temperature in overall neonates and male and female infants. Axillary temperature missed 1% of pyrexia cases, whereas tympanic membrane measurements overestimate pyrexia in 5% of cases. Conclusion: It is safe reliable and convenient to use the axillary route for measurements of temperature in neonates and infants with or without fever.
A comparative study between experimental and theoretical buckling load for hollow steel column
Authors: Kashyap Sudhir Kumar , Kumar Sajal , Mallick Mousumi , Singh Rudra Pratap , Verma Manoranjan
Published: August 2018

Hollow mild steel columns of same outer diameter and length but different wall thickness show the buckling behavior in different manner in the fix-fix end condition. The behavior of the column is in good agreement with Rankine’s formula. Additionally, there is a very strong relation between actual buckling load and buckling load by Rankine’s formula. There is some difference between the theoretical and actual buckling load which may be due to geometrical defect, crack generation, chemical composition and formation of eccentricity. Columns show that the variation of differences between actual and theoretical buckling load with respect to wall thickness is parabolic in nature.Keywords: Hollow column, buckling load, compaction behavior, chemical composition, wall thickness
Cycle time reduction in manufacturing industry by designing a dedicated fixture: A case study
Authors: Lathashankar B , Ashritha G , Asma S , Shivam K , Nitesh K
Published: August 2018

The principal commercial requirement of any manufacturing system is directed towards a growth in productivity. One of the options for achieving higher productivity is reducing the cycle time. Cycle time comprises of the following time element: operation, loading/unloading, set-up and idleness. In this work a case study of a reputed construction equipment manufacturing company of India is considered where in it was observed that the demand for the 4Ton compactors remained unmet as there were no dedicated fixtures for the tack welding operation of those compactors. This welding work was being performed using hook and carrier by trial and error method. This led to inefficient utilization of man, machine, money and increase in manufacturing time. So there was a need to design the dedicated fixture so as to reduce the cycle time of tack welding operation. Benefits of this new fixture are twofold. It reduces setup time because it eliminates marking for each job, positioning by trial and error method and hence increases the productivity of 4Ton compactor. Also, usage of fixture calls for semiskilled labor instead of skilled labor, reducing labor cost for improved production rate.Keywords: Productivity, compactor, fixture, setup time, cycle time
AVALIAÇÃO DOS NÍVEIS DE POLUENTES ATMOSFÉRICOS NAS PRINCIPAIS VIAS DE TRÁFEGO DA CIDADE DE ÁGUAS CLARAS – DF
Authors: Oliveira Almeida Bruna , Benício de Carvalho Júnior Edson
Published: August 2018

Atualmente, há no mundo inteiro uma necessidade crescente de ações efetivas para a obtenção de uma melhoria na qualidade do ar ambiente, principalmente nos centros urbanos. A poluição do ar tornou-se um dos fatores que mais fortemente afetam a qualidade de vida da população, uma vez que ocasiona prejuízos à saúde humana e ao meio ambiente em gera. A elevada motorização, o transporte individual, os congestionamentos de grandes extensões nos horários de pico, a redução da velocidade média do trânsito nos corredores de tráfego, o maior gasto de combustível são questões que fazem parte da realidade dos centros urbanos. Esse é o caso da cidade de Águas Claras, onde a população quase triplicou em uma década. Esse rápido crescimento contribuiu para o agravamento de problemas relacionados ao tráfego de veículos. Nesse contexto, de aumento da emissão de poluentes gasosos em virtude do aumento do número de veículos, o presente trabalho avaliou os níveis de emissões atmosférica, devido ao tráfego veicular, nas principais vias da cidade de Águas Claras. Para tanto, o método utilizado foi sustentado em contagens volumétricas do tráfego de veículos para se estimar as emissões atmosféricas. Após a contagem e classificação do tráfego foi realizada uma avaliação qualitativa. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa bibliográfica para levantamento de dados em sites de organizações ligadas a pesquisas sobre preservação do meio ambiente, artigos, e inventários de emissão de gases. Foram utilizados valores dos fatores de emissão de monóxido de carbono (CO) para combustíveis fósseis. Cabe ressaltar que não existe um Monitoramento da Qualidade do Ar, na região analisada, por parte do órgão ambiental. Como resultado da contagem veicular foram verificados engarrafamentos significativos nos horários de pico nas principais vias da cidade. Além disso, verificou-se altas concentrações de CO provenientes do tráfego veicular sendo que quanto mais fluido o tráfego menor os níveis de emissão de CO por parte dos veículos. Cabe aqui uma ressalva de alerta para as autoridades, pois os dados indicam situação de potencial impacto à saúde das pessoas. Portanto, recomenda-se o monitoramento da qualidade do ar na região de forma a permitir a classificação dos níveis de qualidade do ar no intuito de prevenir situações graves que possam provocar riscos à saúde da população, principalmente nos meses de seca
FATORES QUE INFLUENCIAM NA ESCOLHA DO MODO DE TRANSPORTE NO MOVIMENTO PENDULAR PARA O PLANO PILOTO NO DISTRITO FEDERAL
Authors: Teixeira Jacobina Aires Pedro
Published: August 2018

Resumo
MELHORAMENTO DE SOLOS ATRAVÉS DA INCORPORAÇÃO DE FIBRAS RECICLADAS : FIBRA CERÂMICA E FIBRA PROMEX
Authors: Lopes Oliveira Fernanda , Alejandra Maria Gutiérrez Góngora Ivonne , Rafael Obando Ante Jaime
Published: August 2018

Por se tratar de um país ainda em desenvolvimento, o Brasil possui um grande parque siderúrgico, responsável por grande parte do seu PIB, no ano de 2014 a produção mineira atingiu o valor de US$ 40 bilhões, o que representou cerca de 5% do PIB Industrial do país. Outro setor primário de relevância para a economia Brasileira é o das indústrias têxteis, que ano a ano expandem suas atividades consideravelmente no território nacional. Os dois setores supracitados geram dentro dos seus processos industriais uma grande quantidade de resíduos de fibra têxtil e fibras cerâmicas, que na maioria das vezes não são reciclados ou descartados apropriadamente, gerando consideráveis problemas ambientais. Como alternativa para dar um uso apropriado às fibras descartadas, é proposta na presente pesquisa uma metodologia para o aproveitamento das fibras recicladas cerâmicas e têxtil, denominada de fibra PROMEX, no melhoramento de solos lateríticos, procurando dar aplicações ao compósito na engenharia geotécnica. Para efeitos de comparação foram misturadas fibras ao solo laterítico de Brasília em proporção de 0,5 % com relação à massa seca do solo, e comparando o efeito com um solo no estado natural. Na avaliação das mudanças nas propriedades mecânicas foram compactados corpos de prova cilíndricos através da metodologia mini-MCV de 50 mm de diâmetro, avaliando resistência à tração, resistência à compressão e da resistência ao cisalhamento em corpos de prova compactados segundo a metodologia Proctor. Dentro das principais conclusões da pesquisa foi possível estabelecer que a incorporação de fibras cerâmicas melhoram consideravelmente o comportamento mecânico do solo para tração e compressão, já a fibra PROMEX obteve melhor resultado pra ensaio de resistência ao cisalhamento