bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactive Molecular Graphics for Augmented Reality Using HoloLens
Authors: Müller Christoph , Krone Michael , Huber Markus , Biener Verena , Herr Dominik , Koch Steffen , Reina Guido , Weiskopf Daniel , Ertl Thomas
Published: June 2018

Immersive technologies like stereo rendering, virtual reality, or augmented reality (AR) are often used in the field of molecular visualisation. Modern, comparably lightweight and affordable AR headsets like Microsoft’s HoloLens open up new possibilities for immersive analytics in molecular visualisation. A crucial factor for a comprehensive analysis of molecular data in AR is the rendering speed. HoloLens, however, has limited hardware capabilities due to requirements like battery life, fanless cooling and weight. Consequently, insights from best practises for powerful desktop hardware may not be transferable. Therefore, we evaluate the capabilities of the HoloLens hardware for modern, GPU-enabled, high-quality rendering methods for the space-filling model commonly used in molecular visualisation. We also assess the scalability for large molecular data sets. Based on the results, we discuss ideas and possibilities for immersive molecular analytics. Besides more obvious benefits like the stereoscopic rendering offered by the device, this specifically includes natural user interfaces that use physical navigation instead of the traditional virtual one. Furthermore, we consider different scenarios for such an immersive system, ranging from educational use to collaborative scenarios.
An Overview of Segmentation Algorithms for the Analysis of Anomalies on Medical Images
Authors: Kumar Subbiahpillai Neelakantapillai , Fred Alfred Lenin , Varghese Paul Sebastin
Published: June 2018

Human disease identification from the scanned body parts helps medical practitioners make the right decision in lesser time. Image segmentation plays a vital role in automated diagnosis for the delineation of anatomical organs and anomalies. There are many variants of segmentation algorithms used by current researchers, whereas there is no universal algorithm for all medical images. This paper classifies some of the widely used medical image segmentation algorithms based on their evolution, and the features of each generation are also discussed. The comparative analysis of segmentation algorithms is done based on characteristics like spatial consideration, region continuity, computation complexity, selection of parameters, noise immunity, accuracy, and computation time. Finally, in this work, some of the typical segmentation algorithms are implemented on real-time datasets using Matlab 2010 software, and the outcome of this work will be an aid for the researchers in medical image processing.
Fabrication and characterization of chitosan coated human hair reinforced phytagel modified soy protein-based green composite
Authors: Deepmala Km , Jain Naman , Singh Vinay Kumar , Chauhan Sakshi
Published: June 2018

In the present investigation, human hair reinforced soy protein isolate (SPI)-based green composites modified with 40 wt.% phytagel and 12.5 wt.% glycerol were developed. Characterization of the prepared composites was done through water absorption, tensile test, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Composites having 2 wt.% of human hair fiber gave the optimum results for the tensile test. At 2 wt.% of human hair composition maximum tensile strength 17.23 MPa was obtained whereas the tensile strength of neat SPI was 8.54 MPa. SEM images show the interfacial bonding between human hair fiber and SPI resin and gave the clear explanation of the change in tensile strength and water absorption %. Chitosan coating was applied to fabricated composites to reduce water uptake. Chitosan coated sample showed considerable improvement in tensile strength, water uptake and glass transition temperature.
Survivable Virtual Optical Network Coordinated Mapping with Local Backup
Authors: Ren Danping , Wang Wei , Hu Jinhua , Zhao Jijun
Published: June 2018

Survivable virtual optical network (VON) mapping is researched to overcome the ossification of current network architectures. In this paper, we study the survivable VON mapping problem in elastic optical network (EON) with the objective of minimizing the average resource consumption of VON request. We propose a protective algorithm, namely, coordinated mapping algorithm based on minimum spanning tree (CMST), to provide the dedicated protection against the single physical link failure. In CMST, for virtual node mapping, we not only consider the resources constraint but also the node degree constraint. For virtual link mapping, we adopt the coordinated mapping method for part of the virtual nodes and virtual links. And we provide the backup path for the minimum spanning tree link of virtual topology to reduce the resource consumption. Simulation results showed that CMST can reduce the VON request blocking probability and average network resource consumption. And it can increase the revenue of physical network.
Reduction of PAPR in FBMC System Using Different Reduction Techniques
Authors: Kumar Arun , Rathore Hemant
Published: June 2018

In this research study, different Peak Average Power Ratio (PAPR) based reduction techniques, namely, A-Law companding, µ-Law companding, Clipping & Filtering and Clipping are analyzed for Filter Band Multi-Carrier (FBMC) with different transmission systems such as Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), 64-QPSK and 64-Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. It is estimated that the PAPR reduction can benefit by using clipping technique in FBMC.
A Stage-Theoretical Account of Diachronic Identity
Authors: Baber H. E.
Published: June 2018

Diachronic identity is understood as an identity holding between something existing at one time and something existing at another time. On the stage view, however, ordinary objects are instantaneous stages that do not exist at other times so diachronic identity is, at best, problematic.

On account proposed here a name does not, as Sider and others suggest, denote a stage concurrent with its utterance. Rather, at any time, t, a name of an ordinary object designates a stage-at-t as its primary referent and refers indeterminately over it and all and only those stages counterpart-related to it—its reference class at t. At any time, t, a at t1
is the same object as b at t2
iff for every stage x counterpart-related to a’s stage-at t and every stage y counterpart-related to b’s stage-at-t, x=y. Diachronic identity statements, therefore, assert strict identities—between concurrent stages. Ordinarily names select the same reference classes at every time so, in ordinary cases, identity statements are not ‘occasional’.

In fission cases names select different reference classes at different times. Where a becomes b and c, at any pre-fission time ‘a’, ‘b’, and ‘c’ have same the primary referent and so select the same reference class—therefore, before fission b is the same object as c. At any post-fission time ‘b’ and ‘c’ select different reference classes—so after fission b is not the same object as c.

Identity is not occasional but, in extraordinary cases, identity statements are—because reference is.
Self-Organizing Map Classification of the Extremely Low-Frequency Magnetic Field Produced by Typical Tablet Computers
Authors: Brodić Darko , Amelio Alessia , Draganov Ivo R.
Published: June 2018

In this paper, the extremely low frequency magnetic field produced by the tablet computers is explored. The measurement of the tablet computers’ magnetic field is performed by using a measuring geometry previously proposed for the laptop computers. The experiment is conducted on five Android tablet computers. The measured values of the magnetic field are compared to the widely accepted TCO safety standard. Then, the results are classified by the Self-Organizing Map method in order to create different levels of safety or danger concerning the magnetic field to which tablet computer users are exposed. Furthermore, a brief comparison of the obtained magnetic field levels with the ones from typical laptops is performed. At the end, a practical suggestion on how to avoid the high exposure to the low frequency magnetic field emitted by the tablet computers is given.
Controlling the phase of optical nonlinearity with plasmonic metasurfaces
Authors: Chen Shumei , Li Guixin , Cheah Kok Wai , Zentgraf Thomas , Zhang Shuang
Published: June 2018

Metasurfaces are ultrathin structured surfaces that are capable of manipulating the propagation of light in an arbitrary manner. It has been endowed with various functionalities ranging from imaging to holography. In contrast to linear optical processes, the control of wave propagation and diffraction over nonlinear optical processes such as harmonic generations had been much more limited until recently, when the concept of metasurfaces was extended from linear optics to the nonlinear optical regime for manipulating the generation of harmonic signals in an unprecedented level. The key to this recent development lies in the local control over the phase and/or the amplitude of nonlinear polarizability. This new development has led to an array of interesting optical phenomena and nonlinear optical devices that went beyond what had been achieved with traditional nonlinear optical elements. In this review, we summarize the latest progress in controlling the local phase of nonlinearity with plasmonic metasurfaces, with a focus on nonlinear geometric Berry phase and wavefront engineering, and various device applications with nonlinear metasurfaces.
Directional surface plasmon-coupled emission of tilted-tip enhanced spectroscopy
Authors: Meng Lingyan , Yang Zhilin
Published: June 2018

Understanding the spatial radiation pattern in tip-enhanced spectroscopy (TES) is crucial for plasmon-enhanced spectroscopy, chemical analysis and biochemical sensing. Although the TES technique has many excellent advantages, there is still room for improvement in terms of detection sensitivity. In this paper, we theoretically demonstrate the tip-tilted TES configuration featuring high directivity by using side illumination-collection condition. Taking full advantage of the characteristic of high directional emission ascribed to the far-field interference between localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) and surface plasmon polariton (SPP) modes, the collection efficiency of TES signals can be largely improved, greatly boosting the detection sensitivity of TES technology. Our theoretical results not only provide a deep understanding of the underlying physical mechanism of the directional surface plasmon-coupled emission of TES, but also serves as a promising guide for the rational construction of a highly efficient TES platform at the single molecular level.
Crystal structure of 2-((E)-((4-((E)-1-(hydroxyimino)ethyl)phenyl)iminio)methyl)-5-methoxyphenolate, C16H16N2O3
Authors: Li Peng-Peng , Ma Jin-Xia , Li Qing-Lin , Zhao Ji-Xing , Zhao Li
Published: June 2018

C16H16N2O3, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 8.7904(7) Å, b = 12.0808(11) Å, c = 14.3999(11) Å, α = 68.001(8)°, β = 81.114(6)°, γ = 83.933(7)°, Z = 4, V = 1398.9(2) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0658, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1827, T = 290.83(10) K.
Synthesis and crystal structure of bis{((E)-((4-((E)-1-(methoxyimino)ethyl)phenyl)imino)methyl)-2-naphtholato-κ2
N,O}nickel(II), C40H34N4NiO4
Authors: Ma Jin-Xia , Li Qing-Lin , Li Peng-Peng , Zhao Ji-Xing , Zhao Li
Published: June 2018

C40H34N4NiO4, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 21.443(7) Å, b = 13.862(5) Å, c = 11.733(4) Å, β = 103.690(5)°, Z = 4, V = 3388(2) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0484, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1411, T = 296(2) K.
Synthesis and crystal structure of 2,2′-ethylenedioxybis(benzimide)-2,2′-bis[O-(1-propyloxyamide)]oxime-4,4′,6,6′-tetrachlorodiphenol, C36H34Cl4N4O8
Authors: Ren Zong-Li , Wei Zhi-Li , Wang Lan , Ma Jian-Chun , Dong Wen-Kui
Published: June 2018

C36H34Cl4N4O8, monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 33.048(10) Å, b = 6.4688(7) Å, c = 24.301(7) Å, β = 133.30(5)°, Z = 4, V = 3781(3) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0477, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1016, T = 293(2) K.
Synthesis and crystal structure of 1,3-bis[(3,4-dicyano)phenoxy]-4,6-dinitro-benzene, C22H8N6O6
Authors: Aljuhani Ateyatallah , Said Musa A. , Hughes David L. , Cammidge Andrew N.
Published: June 2018

C22H8N6O6, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 15.3939(6) Å, b = 7.3053(3) Å, c = 16.8282(6) Å, β = 91.567(3)°, V = 1891.74(13) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0510, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0867, T = 140(2) K.
Validation of crill measurements in a high-yield pulp refining process for improved fines material control
Authors: Lundberg Mathias , Norgren Magnus , Edlund Håkan
Published: June 2018

In high-yield pulp (HYP) refining, fine material is created by peeling action on the fibre surface. This fine material is usually characterized using conventional camera technology and image analysis. The smallest particles, the crill, also created in the refining process are too small to be visible in a camera image, and are therefore measured using light sources in the UV and IR wavelength spectrum. This research sought to determine whether the crill could be characterized in the presence of large fines material in a HYP refining process, and the results indicated that the larger fines material had little impact. In addition, the variation in crill measurements declined as the fibre treatment increased and remained low and stable during an extended period. Due to the great need to monitor and control pulp processes using rapid online measurements, cost-reduction actions at mills running close to specification targets put high demands on the measuring devices characterizing the production. The outcome of this study enables the use of the crill method to improve our knowledge of fibre treatment and its contribution to fibre adhesion in complex refining processes. Finally, combining conventional camera technology and the crill method could improve the overall fines material control.
Optical properties of monolayer BeC under an external electric field: A DFT approach
Authors: Chowdhury Suman , Jana Debnarayan
Published: June 2018

BeC, a two-dimensional hypercoordinated nanostructure carbon compound, has been the focus of the nanoworld because of its high value of dynamical stability, in-plane stiffness, carrier mobility and the existence of band gap. In this work, we have explored the electronic and the optical properties of this material under the influence of static external perpendicular electric field within the framework of density functional theory. Under the influence of a uniform electric field, the band gap changes within the meV range. The electron energy loss function study reveals that this material has optical band gaps which remain constant irrespective of the applied electric field strength. The optical property also exhibits interesting features when the applied field strength is within 0.4–0.5 V/Å. We have also tried to explain the optical data from the respective band structures and thus paving the way to understand qualitatively the signature of the optical anisotropy from the birefringence study.
Students’ Attitude Towards Arabic Language Varieties: The Case of the Fuṣḥā Arabic
Authors: Husein Alhassan Abdur-Rahim
Published: June 2018

Arabic speaking countries live in diglossic communities. This is where two or more varieties of a language are used by the same speech community. This paper examines students’ attitude towards Arabic language varieties. It focuses mainly on Egyptian students’ attitude towards the fuṣḥā on one hand and the Egyptian Arabic (EA) variety on the other. A survey of fifty university students from the American University in Cairo and Ain Shams University, Cairo was conducted using the questionnaire instrument. The data was analysed descriptively. The study reveals that Egyptian students have a slightly positive attitude towards the fuṣḥā Arabic. Notwithstanding, they tend to exhibit positive affective and behavioural tendencies towards EA. Based on this, the study proposes that language planners and for that matter, Arab states should adopt a vibrant ‘status planning’, whereby fuṣḥā is properly recognized and widely used in official and state institutions and functions.
Irony and Culture in Feminist Educational Writings: Wollstonecraft, Macaulay, Edgeworth
Authors: Antal Eva
Published: June 2018

The context of the present paper is given by my research on philosophy of female education and the questions of female culture in the 18th and 19th centuries in England. I have been studying not only works of educationalist and philosophical concerns, but also literary works such as the education romans and utopias written in the related period. Female writings - either literary-utopian or educational-philosophical - seemingly rely on the framework and theoretical background of wellknown male works so that they should present a critical and ironical reading while also raise the questions of social solidarity and (e)quality in individual education. I will mainly highlight the strategies of feminist rhetoric, taking my textual examples from Mary Wollstonecraft’s anti- Rousseau A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792), while I also refer to two of her contemporaries, Catherine Macaulay’s and Maria Edgeworth’s educational writings.
Toxic chemical compound detection by terahertz spectroscopy: a review
Authors: Yang Liu , Guo Tengxiao , Zhang Xu , Cao Shuya , Ding Xuequan
Published: June 2018

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is a rapidly emerging technology in the field of analytical chemistry. THz spectroscopy shows substantial scientific potential given that numerous absorption and emission molecular lines of interest in the chemical sciences belong to this spectral region. This article focuses on the current research progress on the detection of harmful gases, pesticides, antibiotics, toxic chemical compounds, and drugs of abuse by THz spectroscopy. The article also analyzes the key factors used for the detection of toxic chemical compounds by THz spectroscopy.
Abschreckung und Dialogbereitschaft – der Paradigmenwechsel der NATO seit 2014
Authors: Felde Rainer Meyer zum
Published: June 2018

Kurzfassung:

Die NATO war für zwei Jahrzehnte primär eine politische Allianz, die Russland als Partnerstaat ansah. Mit der Annexion der Krim durch Russland sowie der hybriden Aggression gegen die Ost-Ukraine hat sich ein Paradigmenwechsel vollzogen, bei dem es darum geht, einerseits Verteidigungsfähigkeit herzustellen, andererseits aber auch die Dialogbereitschaft zu erhalten. Der Beitrag zeichnet den Weg der NATO seither nach und befasst sich mit der Frage, was der Paradigmenwechsel der NATO – an dessen Zustandekommen die Bundesregierung maßgebend beteiligt war – für die deutsche Sicherheitspolitik und die Bundeswehr bedeutet. Dabei wird vor allem auf die Zusagen Deutschlands eingegangen, ambitionierte NATO-Fähigkeitenziele zu erfüllen und das Verteidigungsinvestitionsversprechen von Wales einzuhalten. Außerdem wird Deutschlands Rolle als Rahmennation behandelt. Abschließend werden weitergehende Perspektiven einer wieder stärker an Abschreckung und Bündnisverteidigung orientierten NATO aufgezeigt.
„Wenn Soldaten marschieren, ist es zu spät“ – Abschreckung 2.0 im Zeitalter hybrider Konflikte
Authors: Bittner Lukas
Published: June 2018

Kurzfassung:

Die Formen der politischen Auseinandersetzungen sind laufend Veränderungen unterworfen. Carl von Clausewitz hat dies in seinem berühmten Bild des Chamäleons für den Wandel des Krieges charakterisiert. Konflikte zwischen Staaten werden heute hybrid und unterhalb der völkerrechtlich relevanten Schwelle für internationale bewaffnete Auseinandersetzungen ausgetragen. In der Folge muss sich auch die Sicherheitspolitik darauf ausrichten und das Verteidigungsdispositiv neu definieren. Abschreckung in Zeiten hybrider Konflikte heißt auch, über die militärische Komponente hinaus Maßnahmen zu entwickeln. Wenn Soldaten in Marsch gesetzt werden, um Territorien zu besetzen, ist der Konflikt in der letzten Phase. Dann ist es bereits zu spät für eine Reaktion, da zuvor die notwendigen politischen Fakten geschaffen wurden. Sicherheitspolitik muss daher hybriden Konflikten bereits im nicht-militärischen Raum wirksam begegnen.
„Agile Abschreckung“ gegen Bedrohungen aus dem Cyber Raum – Optionen für deutsche Politik
Authors: Krüger Philipp S.
Published: June 2018

Kurzfassung:

Wie kann effektive Deutsche Cyberabschreckung aussehen? Dieser Artikel stellt die ersten Ergebnisse eines neuen Cyberabschreckungsmodells vor, genannt „Agile Cyberabschreckung“, das auf interdisziplinärer Forschung am ISPK basiert. Danach eröffnen Cyber-Operationen einen völlig neuen Weg in der Verteilung von Macht. Grundsätzlich dafür ist der spezielle virtuelle (technologische) Charakter der operativen Domäne „Cyber“. Die beschriebene Agile Cyberabschreckung adressiert die spezifischen Cyber-Verwundbarkeiten einer „Cyber-Mittel-Macht“ wie Deutschland und schlägt vier Abschreckungsoptionen vor.
Discurso sobre el populismo en México. Un estudio socio-pragmático
Authors: Treviño María Eugenia Flores , Bonfiglio José María Infante
Published: June 2018

Populismo es un término que ha devenido moda en el discurso político contemporáneo, después de que algunos lo creían desaparecido. El término es aún de uso impreciso y se utiliza en diversas realidades discursivas, las que a su vez remiten a diferentes mundos objetivos: ideologías políticas, movimientos y agrupaciones políticas, estilos discursivos y programas de acción política y modos de obrar, tanto en los regímenes autoritarios como democráticos. Una primera parte de este trabajo se destina a un intento de despejar esta selva semántica y tratar de ubicar el uso de los conceptos en su nivel adecuado, buscando definir los componentes que permiten caracterizar a un discurso populista. En alguna de las aproximaciones del populismo éste ha sido caracterizado como ideología, lo que también se analiza.

En un segundo momento se estudian las perspectivas del análisis del discurso político, poniendo énfasis en la práctica de la cortesía y la descortesía en las manifestaciones concretas del discurso sobre el populismo, donde aparece como una forma particular de lograr adhesión afectiva, recurriendo a la construcción de una imagen social del otro o del destinatario favorable o positiva, en oposición al diferente u opuesto. Se analizan discursos de diferentes políticos del hemisferio occidental, tomados de los medios de comunicación, donde se busca ubicar los elementos populistas y el contexto en el que tienen o tuvieron lugar, tratando de analizar los efectos de ese discurso. Se toma en cuenta que en los debates políticos de cualquier escenario alrededor del populismo son más las expresiones de agresividad verbal y descortesía que las derivadas de una actitud de cortesía.
Jet Flow Control Using Semi-Circular Corrugated Tab
Authors: Kumar K Sathish , Chidambaram Senthilkumar
Published: June 2018

This investigation aims to present the jet mixing characteristics and thrust variations of the subsonic jet employed with plain triangular tab and semi-circular corrugated tab by numerical simulation. A triangular tab with semi-circular corrugations is used in this regard at the exit plane of a convergent nozzle, to study the behavior of the jet and its structure. The near jet flow field is studied for different Mach numbers of 0.6, 0.8 and 1, and the comparisons were done for the jet employed with plain triangular tab. To validate the numerical results, experimental validation is carried out for 0.6 Mach jet. The thrust and the potential core length of any jet depend mainly on the percentage of blockage ratio. Since the relationship between the thrust and blockage ratio is such that, the blockage ratio increases, the thrust and the potential core length decreases and vice-versa. The blockage ratio is kept 8.27 % for both the corrugated and plain triangular tabs. From the results, it is found that the Potential core length of the free jet is cut down to 66 % by the jet employed with plain triangular tab, whereas it is 64.5 % for the corrugated tab enabled jet. It is also concluded that the corrugated tab enhances the thrust by 4.43 % for the same blockage ratio and increases potential core length by 3.33 % when compared with the plain triangular tab. This increase in thrust is there by an added advantage of this investigation.
DFT Studies of Single Lithium Adsorption on Coronene
Authors: Harismah Kun , Mirzaei Mahmoud , Moradi Reza
Published: June 2018

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to study the adsorption of neutral and cationic forms of single lithium (Li) on representative original and each of oxygen/sulfur-terminated coronene monolayer surfaces. First, the monolayers of coronene structures were prepared. Next, Li/Li+ adsorptions were investigated on the surfaces of the already optimised coronene models. The results indicate that the singular coronene models can be considered as appropriate surfaces for Li/Li+ adsorption, with stronger Li+ adsorption. Localisations of LI/Li+ species were carefully examined at the central carbon zone of the monolayer surface; however, only one model showed discrepancy by getting localised at the monolayer edge. Energy levels and distribution patters for the molecular orbitals indicate the effects of atomic terminations and Li/Li+ adsorptions, in which the singular and Li+-adsorbed models reveal identical results. Atomic-scale nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) properties were also evaluated, with the results indicating that the atomic properties can determine the major electronic properties for applying the coronene structure for specific applications.
Chronique du livre
Authors: Joyal André
Published: June 2018

Filion, Louis-Jacques, (sous la dir.) Croissance et soutiens à la croissance d’entreprise, Montréal, Les Éditions JFD inc., 2015, 325 p.

Filion, Louis-Jacques, La croissance d’entreprise : vision, agilité et doigté, Montréal, Les Éditions JFD inc., 2015, 126 p.

Messseghem, Karim et Olivier Torrès, Les grands auteurs en entrepreneuriat et PME, Cormelles-le-Royal, Éditions ems Coll. Management et Société, 2015, 491 p.
‘Designer babies’ almost thirty years on
Authors: Handyside Alan H
Published: June 2018

The first pregnancies and live births following in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), formerly known as preimplantation genetic diagnosis, were reported in 1990, almost 30 years ago, in several couples at risk of X-linked inherited conditions, which typically only affect boys inheriting the X chromosome with the affected gene from their carrier mothers. At that time, it was only possible to identify the sex of the embryo by amplifying a Y-linked repeat sequence in single cells biopsied at cleavage stages and avoid the transfer of males, half of which would be affected. The extensive publicity surrounding these cases and the perceived risk of using IVF and PGT for desirable characteristics not related to health, such as sex selection, led to the epithet of ‘designer babies’ which continues to resonate to this day. Here, I briefly reflect on how the technology of PGT has evolved over the decades and whether it deserves this reputation. With efficient methods for whole genome amplification and the genomic revolution, we now have highly accurate universal tests that combine marker-based diagnosis of almost any monogenic disorder with the detection of aneuploidy. PGT is now clinically well established and is likely to remain a valuable alternative for couples at risk of having affected children.
Comparison of Collaborative Versus Single-Site Quality Improvement to Reduce NICU Length of Stay
Authors: Lee Henry C. , Bennett Mihoko V. , Crockett Margaret , Crowe Ruth , Gwiazdowski Steven G. , Keller Heather , Kurtin Paul , Kuzniewicz Michael , Mazzeo Ann Marie , Schulman Joseph , Nisbet Courtney C. , Sharek Paul J.
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND:

There is unexplained variation in length of stay (LOS) across NICUs, suggesting that there may be practices that can optimize LOS.

METHODS:

Three groups of NICUs in the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative were followed: (1) collaborative centers participating in an 18-month collaborative quality improvement project to optimize LOS for preterm infants; (2) individual centers aiming to optimize LOS; and (3) nonparticipants. Our aim in the collaborative project was to decrease postmenstrual age (PMA) at discharge for infants born between 27 + 0 and <32 weeks’ gestational age by 3 days. A secondary outcome was “early discharge,” the proportion of infants discharged from the hospital before 36 + 5 weeks’ PMA. The balancing measure of readmissions within 72 hours was tracked for the collaborative group.

RESULTS:

From 2013 to 2015, 8917 infants were cared for in 20 collaborative NICUs, 19 individual project NICUs, and 71 nonparticipants. In the collaborative group, the PMA at discharge decreased from 37.8 to 37.5 weeks (P = .02), and early discharge increased from 31.6% to 41.9% (P = .006). The individual project group had no significant change. Nonparticipants had a decrease in PMA from 37.5 to 37.3 weeks (P = .01) but no significant change in early discharge (39.8% to 43.6%; P = .24). There was no significant change in readmissions over time in the collaborative group.

CONCLUSIONS:

A structured collaborative project that was focused on optimizing LOS led to a 3-day decrease in LOS and was more effective than individualized quality improvement efforts.
An International Comparison of Death Classification at 22 to 25 Weeks’ Gestational Age
Authors: Smith Lucy K. , Morisaki Naho , Morken Nils-Halvdan , Gissler Mika , Deb-Rinker Paromita , Rouleau Jocelyn , Hakansson Stellan , Kramer Michael R. , Kramer Michael S.
Published: June 2018

OBJECTIVES:

To explore international differences in the classification of births at extremely low gestation and the subsequent impact on the calculation of survival rates.

METHODS:

We used national data on births at 22 to 25 weeks’ gestation from the United States (2014; n = 11 144), Canada (2009–2014; n = 5668), the United Kingdom (2014–2015; n = 2992), Norway (2010–2014; n = 409), Finland (2010–2015; n = 348), Sweden (2011–2014; n = 489), and Japan (2014–2015; n = 2288) to compare neonatal survival rates using different denominators: all births, births alive at the onset of labor, live births, live births surviving to 1 hour, and live births surviving to 24 hours.

RESULTS:

For births at 22 weeks’ gestation, neonatal survival rates for which we used live births as the denominator varied from 3.7% to 56.7% among the 7 countries. This variation decreased when the denominator was changed to include stillbirths (ie, all births [1.8%–22.3%] and fetuses alive at the onset of labor [3.7%–38.2%]) or exclude early deaths and limited to births surviving at least 12 hours (50.0%–77.8%). Similar trends were seen for infants born at 23 weeks’ gestation. Variation diminished considerably at 24 and 25 weeks’ gestation.

CONCLUSIONS:

International variation in neonatal survival rates at 22 to 23 weeks’ gestation diminished considerably when including stillbirths in the denominator, revealing the variation arises in part from differences in the proportion of births reported as live births, which itself is closely connected to the provision of active care.
Agronomic benefits of long-term trials
Authors: Jolánkai M. , Tarnawa Á. , Nyárai H. F. , Szentpétery Z. , Kassai M. K.
Published: June 2018

Long-term trials are established in order to explore and observe plant and soil interrelationships in situ. Long-term trials can be described as live instruments providing ceteris paribus conditions in temporal sequences.

This review provides an introduction to major long-term trials in Hungary and in other parts of the world. It gives a brief summary of the origins of plant nutritional research, beginning with some data from Homer and the willow tree experiment of van Helmont, as well as the discovery of physiological processes by von Liebig, Lawes and Boussingault. The most profound long-term trials, like the Orto Botanico in Padova, the Linné Garden in Uppsala and the Broadbalk in Rothamsted are presented in the paper.

The agronomic, educational and scientific benefits of the major Hungarian long-term trials are also discussed, from Westsik (1929) to Martonvásár and the National Plant Nutrition Trials (OMTK) set up in 1963. There is a list of experimental sites giving information on the most important recent long-term trial locations and their activities.
Improvement of the sequential extraction procedure based on supercritical CO2 and subcritical H2O solvents for the estimation of the environmentally mobile potentially toxic element fractions of sediments and soils
Authors: Takács Anita , Kovács Katalin , Halász Gábor , Győri Zoltán , Fekete Ilona , Heltai György , Horváth Márk
Published: June 2018

The estimation of environmental risk caused by pollution with potentially toxic elements (PTE) is usually carried out using the (3+1) step sequential extraction procedure suggested in 1993 by the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR). In the 1st step the water-soluble, exchangeable and carbonate-bound element content is extracted with acetic acid. In 2002 a fractionation procedure based on the application of supercritical CO2, subcritical H2O and of a mixture of subcritical H2O/CO2 was proposed, which allowed the water-soluble and carbonatebound element contents to be extracted separately from sediment or soil samples weighed into the preparative column of a supercritical fluid extractor and diluted with quartz sand in a mass ratio of 1:20. The aim of the present study was to develop a new reduced-size column construction with which this dilution rate could be decreased to 1:2. A kinetic study was performed to determine the extraction time necessary for samples with different carbonate contents and the extracted element contents were compared to the results of the BCR sequential procedure on the same samples. It was established that fractionation using the reduced-size column may be a rapid way to obtain more reliable information on the easily mobilizable (watersoluble and carbonate-bound) PTE content of soils and sediments than was previously available to supplement BCR fractionation.
Impact of fertilization on the mineral nutrition and yield of Salix triandra x Salix viminalis and Robinia pseudoacacia L. bioenergy crops
Authors: Simon László , Szabó Béla , Vincze György , Szabó Miklós , Koncz József
Published: June 2018

Willow was cultivated as an energy crop in a field experiment. The brown forest soil was treated with an inorganic fertilizer (ammonium nitrate−AN: 100 kg ha-1) or with various organic or mineral soil amendments (municipal biocompost–MBC: 20 t ha−1; municipal sewage sludge compost–MSSC: 15 t ha−1; rhyolite tuff–RT: 30 t ha−1; willow ash−WA: 600 kg ha−1), or their combinations (AN+MBC; AN+RT; AN+WA, MSSC+WA) in four replications. Nineteen months after the soil treatments the macroelement-rich amendments (MBC, MSSC) enhanced the harvested fresh shoot yield most significantly (up to 41% as compared to the untreated control), and also the shoot diameter and shoot height of the willow plants. Most of the treatments enhanced the uptake of N (9.8-23.5%) and K in willow leaves, but the concentrations of P, Mg, Ca, Fe and Zn in the leaves were reduced. The toxic element (As, Cd, Pb) accumulation of willow shoots was negligible.

In a 4-year field experiment the effects of the mineral fertilizers AN and AN+calcium-magnesium carbonate (CMC) were studied on the mineral nutrition of the leaves and wood yield of black locust trees cultivated as an energy crop. The brown forest soil was treated with 300 kg ha−1 annual doses of these fertilizers as top-dressing in June 2009, May 2010 and May 2011. Both fertilizers caused a three to four times increase in the nitrate content of the upper soil soon after their application in June. By the end of the vegetation period (in December) the nitrate concentration in the soil was similar to that in the control plots. The nitrogen content of the leaf stalks (petioles) and leaves, however, was only slightly higher in the treated plots. As a trend, fertilization increased the phosphorus and reduced the calcium uptake in the leaf stalks and leaves, while the magnesium content was not influenced. In March 2012, when the whole trees were harvested, 22% or 28% higher aboveground fresh shoot weight was detected in the AN or AN+CMC treatments than in the control.
Precise estimates of gaming-related harm should guide regulation of gaming
Authors: Starcevic Vladan , Billieux Joël
Published: June 2018

Regulation of gaming is largely based on the perception of gaming-related harm. This perception varies from one country to another and does not necessarily correspond to the real gaming-related harm. It is argued that there is a crucial need to define and assess domains of this harm in order to introduce policies that regulate gaming. Such policies would ideally be targeted at individuals at risk for problematic gaming and would be based more on educational efforts than on restrictive measures. The role of gaming industry in the regulation of gaming would depend on the more precise estimates of gaming-related harm.
A Longitudinal Pathway for Clinical Educators: a Case Study
Authors: Rodrigues Veena , Player Emily , Brooke Peter , Massey Hannah
Published: June 2018

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. It is increasingly being recognised that medical education research and scholarship are essential if we are to provide innovative, research-informed teaching to medical students. Developing a discrete pathway for the professional development of clinical educators side by side with clinical training would enable such training to be offered to high caliber candidates. However, the challenges faced by clinical educators trying to deliver both the clinical and educational components of their training to a high standard must not be underestimated. In addition, employing institutions need to consider and agree criteria for career progression of these clinical academics. Identifying a mentor who can guide professional development is crucial, particularly in the early stages.
Implementation of formative assessment and its effectiveness in undergraduate medical education: an experience at a Caribbean Medical School
Authors: Arja Sateesh Babu , Acharya Yogesh , Alezaireg Sabah , Ilavarasan Vishnupriyan , Ala Samprith , Arja Sireesha Bala
Published: June 2018

This article was migrated. The article was marked as recommended. Background:Two types of assessments used in the medical education are summative and formative assessments. Summative assessments evaluate a student's learning progress and typically provide concrete grades or pass/fail decisions. The main purpose of the formative assessments is to provide the feedback and improve the learning behavior of the students. However, it is less known about the impact of the formative assessments on overall student's performance in summative assessments. This study is intended to study the effects after the implementation of formal formative assessments on students overall performance in summative assessments or any changes in the total grade point average in a Caribbean Medical School which is a low resource context.Materials and Methods:A longitudinal cohort study was conducted among the basic sciences students at AUSOM in May 2017. The study was supported by quantitative data, quantitative and qualitative questionnaires to address the objectives of the study. Data collected and analyzed with Stata (Stata 15).Results:58, among 67 total students took part in the study. The mean grade point average (GPA) with and without formative assessment was 2.83 (SD±.624745) and 2.29 (SD±.76575) respectively. There was a significant improvement in the overall GPA after the introduction of the formative assessments t (58) = 0.000567, p < .001.Conclusion:There was a significant improvement in the student's academic performance after the implementation of formative assessments. Formative assessments consolidate the learning and reinforce the learning behavior. It is necessary that formative assessments should be incorporated into the regular assessment system for the optimal educational output.
Flowering period and fruit quality of peach trees selections and cultivars in the metropolitan region of Curitiba
Authors: Alves Giselda , Gelain Jhulia , Vidal Gloria Soriano , Nesi Cristiano Nunes , Mio Louise Larissa May De , Biasi Luiz Antonio
Published: June 2018

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the flowering period and the physicochemical characteristics of peaches, aiming to find those most promising for the diversification of the peach crop in the Metropolitan Region of Curitiba, Paraná State. We evaluated 8 selections and three cultivars in Porto Amazonas and 10 cultivars in Araucaria for flowering period, fruit set, diameter and height of fruit, average fruit weight, the skin color, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), ratio SS/ TA, hydrogen potential (pH). The flowering period occurred between late June and late September ranging from 16 to 25 days. The fruit set rate was greater than 50% for ‘Cascata 1513’, ‘Cascata 1429’, ‘Cascata 1577’, ‘Cascata 1743’ and for all cultivars in Araucaria. There were significant differences for the other variables assessed. It was concluded that in Araucária, ‘Charme’ and ‘Chimarrita’ are good planting options, have the same duration of the cycle (111 days), being ‘Charme’ a little later. Besides these, ‘Douradão’ and ‘Rubimel’ have good fruit size, moderate acidity and best SS/TA ratio, being earlier than the previous ones. ‘PS 25399’ is the earliest and showed reddish epidermis and great consumer interest. In Porto Amazonas, selections and cultivars tested produced little fruit of small size, being required more studies to be recommended in these area.
Slurry improvement by vacuum preloading and electro-osmosis
Authors: Li Xiaobing , Zhao Ran , Fu Hongtao , Wang Jun , Cai Yuanqiang , Hu Xiuqing , Zhou Jie , Hai Jun
Published: June 2018

Vacuum preloading–electro-osmosis is one of the most useful ground improvement methods for soft soil but is not widely used in practical engineering because of its high power consumption and poor electro-osmotic efficiency in the later stages. To overcome these drawbacks, a new method – vacuum preloading with stepped-voltage electro-osmosis – is proposed in this paper. Five laboratory tests were performed on dredged slurry. The results showed that an appropriate stepped-voltage method is not only better than the general combined method but also requires less power and results in less electrode corrosion. For different initial voltages, the results indicated that an appropriate increase in the initial voltage significantly increased the water discharge; however, a higher initial voltage did not further improve the dredged slurry and led to increased energy consumption.
Consistency limits and compaction characteristics of clay soils containing rubber waste
Authors: Soltani Amin , Deng An , Taheri Abbas , Sridharan Asuri
Published: June 2018

The aim of the study reported in this paper was to develop practical correlative models capable of predicting the compaction characteristics of clay soils blended with rubber from waste vehicle tyres. Four different clay soils, ranging from intermediate to high plasticity, were adopted for the test programme and each was blended with four different percentages of ground rubber waste. The test programme consisted of cone penetration (consistency limits) and standard Proctor compaction tests. As a result of ground rubber inclusion, the consistency limits and compaction characteristics all exhibited a linear decreasing trend with increase in rubber content. The rate of decrease, however, was greater for the high-plasticity clays. Simple correlative models, linking the compaction characteristics to the consistency limits, were suggested and validated by statistical techniques. The proposed models provide a practical procedure towards predicting the compaction characteristics of ground rubber–clay blends without the hurdles of conducting laboratory compaction tests, and thus can be implemented in practice for preliminary assessments.
A physics-informed semi-empirical probabilistic model for the settlement of shallow-founded structures on liquefiable ground
Authors: Bullock Z. , Karimi Z. , Dashti S. , Porter K. , Liel A. B. , Franke K. W.
Published: June 2018

This paper presents a predictive model for the settlement of shallow-founded structures on liquefiable ground during earthquakes. The model is based on the results of an extensive fully coupled, three-dimensional numerical parametric study of soil–structure systems, validated with centrifuge experiments as well as a database of case history observations. The results of the numerical study provided insight into the relative importance and influence of each input parameter and the functional form of the predictive model for a structure's permanent settlement. The case history database helped validate and refine the predictive model, accounting for complexities of the ground motion and site conditions in the field. Non-linear regression and latent variable analysis were used to develop model coefficients. The uncertainty around model estimates was modelled by a lognormal distribution. An additional logistic model was provided to estimate the probability of insignificant settlement (defined as less than 1 cm). The proposed probabilistic procedure considers variations in site conditions as well as the presence and properties of a building in three dimensions. By including the case history database in its validation and adjustment, the model captures all mechanisms of settlement below the foundation, including volumetric and deviatoric strains as well as ejecta. The total uncertainty around its predictions is rigorously characterised, which is a necessary step before the benefits of performance-based seismic design can be realised in the evaluation and mitigation of the liquefaction hazard.
Frost-resistance mechanism of multi-scale PFRC based on NMR
Authors: Liang Ninghui , Miao Qingxu , Liu Xinrong , Zhong Yang
Published: June 2018

In order to explore the frost-resistance mechanism of multi-scale polypropylene-fibre-reinforced concrete (PFRC), the mass loss rate and relative dynamic elastic modulus variation curves of concretes made with different sizes of polypropylene (PP) fibre were analysed based on the fast freeze–thaw cycle test. Nuclear magnetic resonance testing and scanning electron microscopy were carried out to study the micropore structure of the PFRCs. The results showed that the multi-scale PFRC had excellent frost resistance. Compared with plain concrete, the concretes mixed with coarse and fine PP fibres showed a 0·242–0·427% improvement in porosity, with 75·68–84·00% of pores of radius less than 100 nm. When the total PP fibre content was held constant, but the amount of fine fibre was larger and the fibre diameter was smaller, the improvements in concrete micropore structure and spalling resistance were more obvious. For the multi-scale PFRCs studied, it was found that three sizes of fibres formed a better holistic network system as the fibres supported and complemented each other. The micropore structure and frost resistance of the concrete were improved significantly, while the cracking resistance and toughness of the specimens were adequate.