bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assembling a magnetometer for measuring the magnetic propertiesof iron oxide microparticles in the classroom laboratory
Authors: Araújo Jefferson F. D. F. , Pereira João M. B. , Bruno Antônio C.
Published: May 2019

A compact magnetometer, simple enough to be assembled and used by physics instructional laboratory students, is presented. The assembled magnetometer can measure the magnetic response of materials due to an applied field generated by permanent magnets. Along with the permanent magnets, the magnetometer consists of two Hall effect-based sensors, a wall-adapter dc power supply to bias the sensors, a handheld digital voltmeter, and a plastic ruler. Here, a project-based exercise is described, where the objectives are as follows: (i) assemble the magnetometer, (ii) measure the magnetic response of the iron oxide microparticle sample, and (iii) obtain the magnetization of the sample from the measurements.
Longitudinal Quadriceps Strength Recovery After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Hamstring Autograft: Patients Stratified by Preoperative Quadriceps Strength Deficit
Authors: Ueda Yuya , Matsushita Takehiko , Shibata Yohei , Takiguchi Kohei , Kida Akihiro , Araki Daisuke , Kanzaki Noriyuki , Hoshino Yuichi , Ono Rei , Sakai Yoshitada , Kuroda Ryosuke
Published: May 2019

Context:Some studies have discussed postoperative quadriceps strength recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, the effect of preoperative quadriceps strength deficit on longitudinal postoperative quadriceps strength recovery after ACLR with hamstring autograft is unknown.Objective:To reveal the longitudinal postoperative quadriceps strength recovery after ACLR with hamstring autograft among patient groups stratified by preoperative quadriceps strength deficit.Design:Retrospective cohort study.Setting:Single center.Patients:In total, 420 patients (222 men and 218 women; age at the time of surgery 23.1 [8.9] y) who underwent ipsilateral ACLR with hamstring autograft and completed knee function tests preoperatively and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively were included in this study.Intervention:The authors measured quadriceps strength at 60°/s, tested 1-leg hop performance (distance and anxiety), and calculated the quadriceps strength index (QSI) and limb symmetry index for 1-leg hop distance. Patients were divided into the following 4 groups according to their preoperative QSI: >80% (Excellent group), 80% to 60% (Good group), 60% to 40% (Moderate group), and ≤40% (Poor group).Main Outcome Measures:Postoperative QSI at 3, 6, and 12 months and 1-leg hop performance at 12 months after the surgery.Results:The Excellent group had the highest postoperative QSI at all periods. Based on the 1-leg hop performance, the Poor group had the lowest limb symmetry index and significantly greater anxiety during jump performance in comparison with the Excellent and Good groups.Conclusion:The present study shows a longitudinal recovery process and the average postoperative quadriceps strength after ACLR with hamstring autograft in patient groups stratified by preoperative QSI. The results indicate that the difference in preoperative QSI affects not only the longitudinal postoperative QSI recovery but also high-level 1-leg hop performance after ACLR using hamstring autograft.
No Relationship Between Preoperative and Early Postoperative Strength After ACL Reconstruction
Authors: Mariani Pier Paolo , Laudani Luca , Rocchi Jacopo E. , Giombini Arrigo , Macaluso Andrea
Published: May 2019

Context: All rehabilitative programs before anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery, which are focused on recovery of proprioception and muscular strength, are defined as prehabilitation. While it has shown that prehabilitation positively affects the overall outcome after ACL reconstruction, it is still controversial whether preoperatively enhancing quadriceps strength has some beneficial effect on postoperative strength, mainly during the first period. Objective: To determine whether there is any relationship between preoperative and early postoperative quadriceps strength. Design: Case control. Setting: University research laboratory. Participants: Fifty-nine males (18–33 y; age: 23.69 [0.71] y) who underwent ACL reconstruction with patellar-tendon autograft were examined the day before surgery, and at 60 and 90 days after surgery. Main Outcome Measures: The limb symmetry index (LSI) was quantified for maximal voluntary isometric contraction of the knee extensor muscles and of the knee flexor muscles at 90° joint angle. A k-means analysis was performed on either quadriceps or hamstrings LSI before surgery to classify the patients in high and low preoperative LSI clusters. Differences in postoperative LSI were then evaluated between the high and low preoperative LSI clusters. Results: Following surgery, there were no differences in the quadriceps LSI between patients with high and low preoperative quadriceps LSI. Sixty days after surgery, the hamstrings LSI was higher in patients with high than low preoperative hamstrings LSI (84.0 [13.0]% vs 75.4 [15.9]%; P < .05). Conclusions: Findings suggest that quadriceps strength deficit is related to the ACL injury and increases further after the reconstruction without any correlation between the preoperative and postoperative values. Therefore, it appears that there is no need to delay surgery in order to increase the preoperative quadriceps strength before surgery.
The Beighton Score and Injury in Dancers: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Armstrong Ross
Published: May 2019

Context:Joint hypermobility has a high prevalence in dancers and may be associated with injury and performance.Objectives:To investigate whether total Beighton score can predict injury and to determine the relationship between joint hypermobility and injury, and to report injury demographics.Design:A prospective cohort injury study.Setting:Edge Hill University dance injury clinic.Participants:Eighty-two dancers (62 females, 20 males).Main Outcome Measures:Joint hypermobility via the Beighton score ≥4 with lumbar flexion included and removed.Results:A total of 61 dancers were classified as hypermobile, which was reduced to 50 dancers with lumbar flexion removed. A significant difference existed between pooled total days injured in hypermobile dancers and nonhypermobile dancers with lumbar flexion included (P = .02) and removed (P = .03). No significant differences existed for total Beighton score between injured and noninjured groups with lumbar flexion included (P = .11) and removed (P = .13). Total Beighton score was a weak predictor of total days injured (r2 = .06,P = .51). In total, 47 injuries occurred in 34 dancers, and pooled injury rate was 1.03 injuries/1000 hours. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.83 for male dancers with lumbar flexion removed, which was considered diagnostic for injury.Conclusions:The Beighton score can be utilized to identify dancers who may develop injury. Clinicians should consider the role of lumbar flexion in total Beighton score when identifying those dancers at risk of injury. Different injury thresholds in female and male dancers may aid injury management.
Reliability of Knee Flexion–Extension Lyapunov Exponent in People With and Without Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency
Authors: Nazary-Moghadam Salman , Salavati Mahyar , Esteki Ali , Akhbari Behnam , Keyhani Sohrab , Zeinalzadeh Afsaneh
Published: May 2019

Objectives: The current study assessed the intrasession and intersession reliability of the knee flexion–extension Lyapunov exponent in patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and healthy individuals. Study Design: University research laboratory. Methods: Kinematic data were collected in 14 patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency and 14 healthy individuals walked on a treadmill at a self-selected, low, and high speed, with and without cognitive load. The intraclass correlation coefficient, standard error of measurement, minimal metrically detectable change, and percentage of coefficient of variation were calculated to assess the reliability. Results: The knee flexion–extension Lyapunov exponent had high intrasession reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from .83 to .98. In addition, the intersession intraclass correlation coefficient values of these measurements ranged from .35 to .85 regardless of group, gait speed, and dual tasking. In general, relative and absolute reliability were higher in the patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency than in the healthy individuals. Conclusions: Although knee flexion–extension Lyapunov exponent demonstrates good intrasession reliability, its low intersession reliability indicates that changes of these measurements between different days should be interpreted with caution.
“Putting Blinders on”: Ethnic Minority Female PE Teachers’ Identity Struggles Negotiating Racialized Discourses
Authors: Simon Mara , Azzarito Laura
Published: May 2019

Background: Ethnic minority physical education teachers who work in predominantly White schools may face multiple forms of marginalization due to racialized discourses of White normativity. In addition, the intersection of whiteness and hegemonic masculinity embedded within physical education may result in an “othering” of teachers who are located outside the accepted norms of their schools.Purpose: The authors examined the embodied identities of ethnic minority female physical education teachers who work in predominantly White schools to identify how whiteness informs their sense of self.Methods: This study utilized narrative-based semistructured and conversational interviews and photo elicitation as the methods for visual narrative inquiry.Results: Participants not only enacted color-blind discourses to make their racialized identities invisible, but also experienced identity struggles in their effort to negotiate hypervisibility as minorities within their schools.Discussion: The identity struggle of racialized self-representations in White schools represents how multiple marginalizing factors prevent ethnic minorities from overtly expressing their authentic selves.
“The Education System is Broken:” The Influence of a Sociocultural Foundations Class on the Perspectives and Practices of Physical Education Preservice Teachers
Authors: Lynch Shrehan , Curtner-Smith Matthew D.
Published: May 2019

The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of one sociocultural foundations class taught by Florence, a teacher educator, on the perspectives and practices of two physical education preservice teachers (PTs), Michael and Bob. Within a narrative inquiry approach, data sources were nonparticipant observation, intraviews, conversations, exit slips, digital interactions, responses to three fictional physical education teaching scenarios, a fictional curriculum outline, three stimulated recall interviews, documents, and various forms of visual data. Theoretical thematic analysis was employed to work with and make sense of the data. Findings indicated that both PTs faced frustration and discomfort during class. Nevertheless, the class resonated and raised the PTs’ critical awareness of sociocultural issues related to physical education. Key reasons for the apparent success of the class were the deinstitutionalizing pedagogical methods employed by Florence and Florence’s “problem-posing” education which prompted the PTs to question their perspectives and assumptions about society and culture.
Influence of Occupational Socialization on Elementary Physical Education Teachers’ Beliefs and Curricula
Authors: Prior Laura , Curtner-Smith Matthew
Published: May 2019

Purpose: Most research examining the effects of socialization on physical education teachers’ curricula is dated, has been incidental, and conducted in secondary schools. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of occupational socialization on the curricula delivered by elementary teachers. Methods: Participants were 10 teachers. Data were collected with six qualitative techniques and analyzed by employing standard interpretive methods. Findings and Discussion: Three groups of teachers were identified. These were nonteachers, conservatives, and progressives. The curricula they delivered varied greatly in terms of pedagogies and quality. Each teacher group was closely aligned to orientations for teaching and coaching, and these orientations were forged by the teachers’ socialization profiles. Conclusions: The findings provided clues as to how the cycle of poor and nonteaching might be broken in U.S. elementary schools. In addition, these findings served to potentially modify occupational socialization theory pertaining to physical education.
Vanishing Bering Sea ice poses climate puzzle
Authors: Cornwall Warren
Published: May 2019

For second winter in a row, ice cover shrinks to lowest levels seen in at least 4 decades.
Technology Feature | Epitranscriptomics: RNA revisited
Authors: Schubert Charlotte
Published: May 2019

RNA is not a “plain” molecule–it is replete with various chemical modifications. Just how many types of modifications exist, where they are located, and what they do is becoming clearer, as researchers hone the tools to examine such questions at the transcriptome-wide level.
Exploitation and extraction
The Mountain That Eats Men
Ander Izagirre; transl., Tim Gutteridge
Zed Books, 2019. 239 pp.
Authors: Hudson-Edwards Karen
Published: May 2019

A journalist reveals the human cost of modern mining through the vivid story of a young Bolivian mine worker
Putting sugars under strain
Authors: Pohl Nicola
Published: May 2019

Adding strain to sugars enables synthesis of natural products and unusual oligosaccharides
Absolute structure, at the nanoscale
Authors: Xu Hongyi , Zou Xiaodong
Published: May 2019

The chirality of a tiny organic crystal is determined with electron diffraction
Accelerating exhumation in the Eocene North American Cordilleran hinterland: Implications from detrital zircon (U-Th)/(He-Pb) double dating
Authors: Canada Andrew S. , Cassel Elizabeth J. , Stockli Daniel F. , Smith M. Elliot , Jicha Brian R. , Singer Brad S.
Published: May 2019

Basins in orogenic hinterlands are directly coupled to crustal thickening and extension through landscape processes and preserve records of deformation that are unavailable in footwall rocks. Following prolonged late Mesozoic–early Cenozoic crustal thickening and plateau construction, the hinterland of the Sevier orogen of western North America underwent late Cenozoic extension and formation of metamorphic core complexes. While the North American Cordillera is one of Earth’s best-studied orogens, estimates for the spatial and temporal patterns of initial extensional faulting differ greatly and thus limit understanding of potential drivers for deformation. We employed (U-Th)/(He-Pb) double dating of detrital zircon and (U-Th)/He thermochronology of detrital apatite from precisely dated Paleogene terrestrial strata to quantify the timing and magnitude of exhumation and explore the linkages between tectonic unroofing and basin evolution in northeastern Nevada. We determined sediment provenance and lag time evolution (i.e., the time between cooling and deposition, which is a measure of upper-crustal exhumation) during an 8 m.y. time span of deposition within the Eocene Elko Basin. Fluvial strata deposited between 49 and 45 Ma yielded Precambrian (U-Th)/He zircon cooling ages (ZHe) with 105–740 m.y. lag times dominated by unreset detrital ages, suggesting limited exhumation and Proterozoic through early Eocene sediment burial (<4–6 km) across the region. Minimum nonvolcanic detrital ZHe lag times decreased to <100 m.y. in 45–43 Ma strata and to <10 m.y. in 43–41 Ma strata, illustrating progressive and rapid hinterland unroofing in Eocene time. Detrital apatite (U-Th)/He ages present in ca. 44 and 39 Ma strata record Eocene cooling ages with 1–20 m.y. lag times. These data reflect acceleration of basement exhumation rates by >1 km/m.y., indicative of rapid, large-magnitude extensional faulting and metamorphic core complex formation. Contemporaneous with this acceleration of hinterland exhumation, syntectonic freshwater lakes developed in the hanging wall of the Ruby Mountains–East Humboldt Range metamorphic core complex at ca. 43 Ma. Volcanism driven by Farallon slab removal migrated southward across northeastern Nevada, resulting in voluminous rhyolitic eruptions at 41.5 and 40.1 Ma, and marking the abrupt end of fluvial and lacustrine deposition across much of the Elko Basin. Thermal and rheologic weakening of the lithosphere and/or partial slab removal likely initiated extensional deformation, rapidly unroofing deeper crustal levels. We attribute the observed acceleration in exhumation, expansion of sedimentary basins, and migrating volcanism across the middle Eocene to record the thermal and isostatic effects of Farallon slab rollback and subsequent removal of the lowermost mantle lithosphere.
Paediatric heart transplantation: an update
Authors: Reinhardt Zdenka
Published: May 2019

Heart transplantation is a standard treatment for selected paediatric patients with end-stage heart disease. With improvement in surgical techniques, organ procurement and preservation strategies, immunosuppressive drugs, and more sophisticated monitoring strategies, survival following transplantation has increased over time. However, rejection, infection, renal failure, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease and post-transplant cardiac allograft vasculopathy still preclude long-term survival. Therefore, continued multidisciplinary scientific efforts are needed for future gains. This review focuses on the current status, outcomes and ongoing challenges including patient selection, indications and contraindications, national and international survivals, post-transplant complications and quality of life.
The prevalence of mild-to-moderate distress in patients with end-stage renal disease: results from a patient survey using the emotion thermometers in four hospital Trusts in the West Midlands, UK
Authors: Damery Sarah , Brown Celia , Sein Kim , Nicholas Johann , Baharani Jyoti , Combes Gill
Published: May 2019

Objectives

To assess the prevalence of mild-to-moderate distress in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and determine the association between distress and patient characteristics.

Design

Cross-sectional survey using emotion thermometer and distress thermometer problem list.

Setting

Renal units in four hospital Trusts in the West Midlands, UK.

Participants

Adult patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease who were: (1) On prerenal replacement therapy. (2) On dialysis for less than 2 years. (3) On dialysis for 2 years or more (4) With a functioning transplant.

Outcomes

The prevalence of mild-to-moderate distress, and the incidence of distress thermometer problems and patient support needs.

Results

In total, 1040/3730 surveys were returned (27.9%). A third of survey respondents met the criteria for mild-to-moderate distress (n=346; 33.3%). Prevalence was highest in patients on dialysis for 2 years or more (n=109/300; 36.3%) and lowest in transplant patients (n=118/404; 29.2%). Prevalence was significantly higher in younger versus older patients (χ2=14.33; p=0.0008), in women versus men (χ2=6.63; p=0.01) and in black and minority ethnic patients versus patients of white ethnicity (χ2=10.36; p=0.013). Over 40% of patients (n=141) reported needing support. More than 95% of patients reported physical problems and 91.9% reported at least one emotional problem.

Conclusions

Mild-to-moderate distress is common in patients with ESRD, and there may be substantial unmet support needs. Regular screening could help identify patients whose distress may otherwise remain undetected. Further research into differences in distress prevalence over time and at specific transitional points across the renal disease pathway is needed, as is work to determine how best to support patients requiring help.
Experimental investigation of global backward erosion and suffusion of soils in embankment dams
Authors: Douglas Kurt J. , Fell Robin , Peirson William L. , Studholme Hamish
Published: May 2019

Many embankment dams constructed with a core of nonplastic or very low plasticity silt–sand–gravel (typically of glacial, fluvioglacial or alluvial origin) have experienced internal erosion. This has often expressed itself with the development of sinkholes or with intermittent episodes of increased leakage, which then reduces. In this investigation 22 soil samples with gradations representing the range of the soils used in embankment dam cores have been tested in the laboratory. All 22 soils tested were shown to be internally unstable with particle movement within the soil after placement. Some soils exhibited global backward erosion (GBE), others suffusion, and some internal instability but with no erosion from the sample, indicating self-filtering. The internal erosion process was very rapid for suffusive soils, typically occurring within minutes of test commencement, and at a gradient of 1. For soils subject to GBE and no-erosion soils, the internal movement of particles continued for weeks and months, and re-activated when the overall gradient was increased. For GBE, the erosion process occurred over a range of gradients. A method for predicting the amount of erosion and the erosion mechanism based on the gradation of the soil has been developed that is related to the ability of the soil to self-filter.
Collisions on local roads: model development and policy level scenario analysis
Authors: Farhan Ali , Kattan Lina , Tay Richard
Published: May 2019

The problem of collisions on local roads has received little specific attention despite the considerable number of such collisions that occur each year. First part of this study identifies the factors that influence local road collision frequency at traffic analysis zone (TAZ) level with a particular focus on the planning and policy related variables. The City of Calgary is used as a case study, where we focus on the impacts of land use, demographic characteristics, and travel characteristics. We also investigate the effects of some key transportation planning parameters for which there have been very limited studies, including the number of personal and commercial trips and the employment numbers in various categories. This study examines the impact of the number of trips made by automobile versus more sustainable transport modes like transit, walking, and biking for personal travel. It also examines the impact of commercial truck movement on the number of collisions on local roads in a TAZ. The impact of transit-oriented development zone initiatives is explored, as is the relationship between the predominant land use type (e.g., residential, commercial, industrial) and the number of collisions on local roads. In the second part, collision prediction models were linked with regional transportation model (RTM), which is calibrated and modeled in EMME. Since the choice of transportation mode is explicitly modeled through utility functions in the RTM, the proposed approach will allow us to do scenario analysis for planning and policy level issues proactively such as impact on local collisions due to change in fuel price, parking cost, transit headway, and transit fare. Results showed that property damage only (PDO) and fatal and injury (FI) collisions decreased by 13% and 6%, respectively, when fuel price was doubled. It was also observed that PDO and FI collisions decreased by 8% and 5%, respectively, when parking cost was doubled. PDO and FI collisions decreased by 7% and 4%, respectively, when transit headway was reduced to half. When transit fare was reduced to half, PDO and FI collisions decreased by 5% and 2%, respectively. PDO and FI collisions decreased by 10% and 5%, respectively, when transit fare was set to zero. These scenario analyses demonstrate how the impact of transportation planning or policy level issues on the collision count on local roads can be incorporated in our proposed model.
American Ginseng and Asian Ginseng Intervention in Diet-Induced Obese Mice: Metabolomics Reveals Distinct Metabolic Profiles
Authors: Zhang Wen-Song , Pan An , Yang Liu , Cai Yuan-Yuan , Liu Bao-Lin , Li Ping , Qi Lian-Wen , Li Jing , Liu Qun
Published: May 2019

American ginseng and Asian ginseng, which occupy prominent positions in the list of best-selling natural products in the West and East, are suitable for different indications in the traditional pharmacological uses. Currently, the effects of American ginseng and Asian ginseng in the protection against metabolic dysfunction and the differences between them are still unknown. Herein, an untargeted metabolomics based on liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) was determined. The serum metabolomics and dynamic feces metabolomics revealed significant metabolic distinction between American ginseng and Asian ginseng in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. The results show that American ginseng and Asian ginseng alleviate glucose and lipid metabolism disorder in DIO mice. A total of 45 differential metabolites were confirmed between the drug-naïve and American ginseng group, and 32 metabolites were confirmed between the drug-naïve and Asian ginseng group. Metabolic pathways analysis shows that these two ginsengs treatment dynamic rectifies metabolic disorder in DIO mice mainly via regulating linoleic acids metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid. Moreover, American ginseng’s specific function in monitoring the carnitines and taurine/hypotaurine metabolism might make it more effective in meliorating lipids metabolism disorder than Asian ginseng.
β-Lapachone Regulates Obesity through Modulating Thermogenesis in Brown Adipose Tissue and Adipocytes: Role of AMPK Signaling Pathway
Authors: Kwak Hyun Jeong , Jeong Mi-Young , Um Jae-Young , Park Jinbong
Published: May 2019

Activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) has been proposed as a promising target against obesity due to its increased capacity for thermogenesis. In this study, we explored the effect of [Formula: see text]-Lapachone ([Formula: see text]L), a compound obtained from the bark of the lapacho tree, against obesity. In vivo administration of [Formula: see text]L into either high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese C57BL6 mice and genetically obese Lepr[Formula: see text] mice prevented body weight gain, which was associated with tissue weight loss of white adipose tissue (WAT). In addition, [Formula: see text]L elevated thermogenic proteins including uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and mitochondrial count in BAT and human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). [Formula: see text]L also induced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, subsequent upregulation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and UCP1, and these effects were diminished by AMPK inhibitor compound C, suggesting that AMPK underlies the effects of [Formula: see text]L. Mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways participated in the thermogenesis of [Formula: see text]L, specifically p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) were activated by [Formula: see text]L treatment in hAMSCs. Additionally, inhibitors of p38/JNK/ERK1/2 abrogated the activity of [Formula: see text]L. Taken together, [Formula: see text]L exerts anti-obese effects by inducing thermogenesis mediated by AMPK signaling pathway, suggesting that [Formula: see text]L may have a potential therapeutic implication of obesity. Taken together, [Formula: see text]L exerts anti-obese effects by not only inducing thermogenesis on brown adipocytes but also inducing the browning of white adipocytes. The anti-obese effect of [Formula: see text]L is mediated by AMPK signaling pathway, suggesting that [Formula: see text]L may have potential therapeutic implication of obesity.
Evaluation of State-of-the-Art Paraphrase Identification and Its Application to Automatic Plagiarism Detection
Authors: Altheneyan Alaa , Menai Mohamed El Bachir
Published: May 2019

Paraphrase identification is a natural language processing (NLP) problem that involves the determination of whether two text segments have the same meaning. Various NLP applications rely on a solution to this problem, including automatic plagiarism detection, text summarization, machine translation (MT), and question answering. The methods for identifying paraphrases found in the literature fall into two main classes: similarity-based methods and classification methods. This paper presents a critical study and an evaluation of existing methods for paraphrase identification and its application to automatic plagiarism detection. It presents the classes of paraphrase phenomena, the main methods, and the sets of features used by each particular method. All the methods and features used are discussed and enumerated in a table for easy comparison. Their performances on benchmark corpora are also discussed and compared via tables. Automatic plagiarism detection is presented as an application of paraphrase identification. The performances on benchmark corpora of existing plagiarism detection systems able to detect paraphrases are compared and discussed. The main outcome of this study is the identification of word overlap, structural representations, and MT measures as feature subsets that lead to the best performance results for support vector machines in both paraphrase identification and plagiarism detection on corpora. The performance results achieved by deep learning techniques highlight that these techniques are the most promising research direction in this field.
Rectilinear Steiner Tree Construction Techniques Using PB-SAT-Based Methodology
Authors: Kundu Sudeshna , Roy Suchismita , Mukherjee Shyamapada
Published: May 2019

Rectilinear Steiner Tree (RST) construction is a fundamental problem in very large scale integration (VLSI) physical design. Its applications include placement and routing in VLSI physical design automation (PDA) where wire length and timing estimations for signal nets are obtained. In this paper, a pseudo-Boolean satisfiability (PB-SAT)-based approach is presented to solve rectilinear Steiner tree problem. But large nets are a bottleneck for any SAT-based approach. Hence, to deal with large nets, a region-partitioning-based algorithm is taken into consideration, which eventually achieves a reasonable running time. Furthermore, a clustering-based approach is also explored to improve the partitioning of nets by identifying clusters and then applying a heuristic-based approach to get the minimum wire length for each set of the clusters. Experimental results obtained by these techniques show that the proposed algorithm can solve the RST problem very effectively even on large circuits and it outperforms the widely used RST algorithm FLUTE with 3[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]to 9[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]speedups.
An Elephant Herding Optimization Algorithm-Based Static Switched Filter Compensation Scheme for Power Quality Improvement in Smart Grid
Authors: Kuchibhatla S. Mani , Padmavathi D. , Rao R. Srinivasa
Published: May 2019

Power quality (PQ) issue is referred to as any problem that exposes in the voltage and current or in frequency value that causes a malfunction of protection devices or maloperation of the system. The improvement of the PQ is important at the load side when the production processes get more complicated and require a bigger liability level. An Elephant Herding Optimization (EHO) algorithm is presented for improving the PQ and reducing the harmonic distortion using the Static Switched Filter Compensation (SSFC) in Photovoltaic (PV) interconnected wind energy conversion system (WECS). The novelty of the proposed system is enhancing the performance of the grid-connected hybrid energy system such as stabilizing the voltage, reducing the power loss and mitigating the harmonic distortion using the SSFC. Here, the proposed controller is used to optimize the control pulses for SSFC. The SSFC and voltage-source converters with smart dynamic controllers are emerging as stabilization and power filtering equipment to improve the PQ. The proposed method has implemented in MATLAB/Simulink platform and their performances are evaluated and contrasted with the existing technologies such as Bat algorithm (BA) and Firefly algorithm (FA) techniques.
Recursive strategy for decomposing Betti tables of complete intersections
Authors: Gibbons Courtney R. , Huben Robert , Stone Branden
Published: May 2019

In the spirit of Boij–Söderberg theory, we introduce a recursive decomposition algorithm for the Betti diagram of a complete intersection using the diagram of a complete intersection defined by a subset of the original generators. This alternative algorithm is the main tool that we use to investigate stability and compatibility of the Boij–Söderberg decompositions of related diagrams; indeed, when the biggest generating degree is sufficiently large, the alternative algorithm produces the Boij–Söderberg decomposition. We also provide a detailed analysis of the Boij–Söderberg decomposition for Betti diagrams of codimension four complete intersections where the largest generating degree satisfies the size condition.
On Prüfer-like properties of Leavitt path algebras
Authors: Esin Songül , Kanuni Müge , Koç Ayten , Radler Katherine , Rangaswamy Kulumani M.
Published: May 2019

Prüfer domains and subclasses of integral domains such as Dedekind domains admit characterizations by means of the properties of their ideal lattices. Interestingly, a Leavitt path algebra [Formula: see text], in spite of being noncommutative and possessing plenty of zero divisors, seems to have its ideal lattices possess the characterizing properties of these special domains. In [The multiplicative ideal theory of Leavitt path algebras, J. Algebra 487 (2017) 173–199], it was shown that the ideals of [Formula: see text] satisfy the distributive law, a property of Prüfer domains and that [Formula: see text] is a multiplication ring, a property of Dedekind domains. In this paper, we first show that [Formula: see text] satisfies two more characterizing properties of Prüfer domains which are the ideal versions of two theorems in Elementary Number Theory, namely, for positive integers [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. We also show that [Formula: see text] satisfies a characterizing property of almost Dedekind domains in terms of the ideals whose radicals are prime ideals. Finally, we give necessary and sufficient conditions under which [Formula: see text] satisfies another important characterizing property of almost Dedekind domains, namely, the cancellative property of its nonzero ideals.
The set of strong torsion elements of a module over a noncommutative ring
Authors: Farzi-safarabadi A. , Beyranvand R.
Published: May 2019

Let [Formula: see text] be an arbitrary ring and [Formula: see text] be a nonzero right [Formula: see text]-module. In this paper, we introduce the set [Formula: see text], for some nonzero ideal [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] of strong torsion elements of [Formula: see text] and the properties of this set are investigated. In particular, we are interested when [Formula: see text] is a submodule of [Formula: see text] and when it is a union of prime submodules of [Formula: see text].
Trace of powers of representations of finite quantum groups
Authors: Baraquin Isabelle
Published: May 2019

In this paper, we study (asymptotic) properties of the ∗-distribution of irreducible characters of finite quantum groups. We proceed in two steps, first examining the representation theory to determine irreducible representations and their powers, then we study the ∗-distribution of their trace with respect to the Haar measure. For the Sekine family, we look at the asymptotic distribution (as the dimension of the algebra goes to infinity).
Comparison of Fuzzy and Crisp Versions of an AHP and TOPSIS Model for Nontraditional Manufacturing Process Ranking Decision
Authors: Yurdakul Mustafa , İç Yusuf Tansel
Published: May 2019

Nontraditional manufacturing processes (NTMPs) are especially preferred when it is necessary to machine very small and delicate parts, obtain complex shapes or process very hard and high strength materials. New NTMPs are developed continually and the total number of NTMPs being used in the machining industry is increasing so that ranking and selection of the most proper NTMP requires multi-level and systematic models. [M. Yurdakul and C. Cogun, Development of a multi-attribute selection procedure for non-traditional machining processes, Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. J. Eng. Manuf.217 (2003) 993–1009] developed such an NTMP ranking model. The developed NTMP ranking model in [M. Yurdakul and C. Cogun, Development of a multi-attribute selection procedure for non-traditional machining processes, Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. J. Eng. Manuf.217 (2003) 993–1009] had a two-level structure and used crisp Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) together to rank feasible NTMPs. This study aims to replace crisp (nonfuzzy) versions of the AHP and TOPSIS with the fuzzy ones. Application of the fuzzy NTMP ranking model is illustrated and its results are compared with the ones obtained in [M. Yurdakul and C. Cogun, Development of a multi-attribute selection procedure for non-traditional machining processes, Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. J. Eng. Manuf.217 (2003) 993–1009] to evaluate the significance of the differences in ranking results. The comparisons show that using fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS approaches instead of the crisp ones in the ranking model provided considerable ranking differences. The fuzzy NTMP ranking model is studied furthermore in the paper by updating the NTMP list and fine-tuning fuzzy weights of the pertinent attributes.
A New Hybrid Method for Optimizing Vendor-Managed Inventory Model
Authors: Teimoori Shima , Attar Seyedeh Fatemeh , Pasandideh Seyed Hamid Reza
Published: May 2019

This research proposes an effective procedure that is considered in exact solution methods category for solving a nonlinear model of single-manufacturer multi-retailer with multi-product supply chain which uses vendor-managed inventory (VMI) policy. The objective is to maximize total profit for the vendor while satisfying retailers’ benefit under the various operational constraints. Since most of the time there are defective goods in each delivery, this model investigates the inspection and screening process in which imperfect quality items are rejected and the retailers may encounter the shortage at the end of each cycle. Due to complexity and nonlinearity of the model, in the first step genetic algorithm (GA) is used to generate a suitable solution. Then barrier algorithm with applying the steepest descent method (GA/barrier) is developed to further optimize the solution acquired by GA and to achieve the more efficient solutions concluding the wholesale and retail prices of items, replenishment cycles and backlogging rates as decision variables. At the end, the efficiency of GA/barrier and GA algorithms are compared together in a numerical example. The results show that GA/barrier algorithm is able to provide significantly more efficient solutions comparing to GA.
Novel axially-substituted silicon phthalocyanines with pH-modulated fluorescence ON/OFF switching properties
Authors: Şahin Belgin , Ongun Merve Zeyrek , Topal Sevinc Zehra , Gürek Ayşe Gül , Atilla Devrim
Published: May 2019

Two novel axially-substituted asymmetric silicon (IV) phthalocyanines, the first one substituted with both polyethylene glycol and indomethacin groups (Pc1) and second one substituted with both polyethylene glycol and mefenamic acid groups (Pc2) have been designed and synthesized for the purpose of pH sensing examinations. Their absorption and fluorescence emission-based spectral properties were investigated in chloroform, tetrahydrofuran and toluene. The pH-sensing properties of Pc1 and Pc2 were examined in detail by using UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies in tetrahydrofuran. The effects of the substituents on the spectroscopic properties and pH-sensing behavior of these silicon phthalocyanines were revealed. Pc1 didn’t show a pH response; however, Pc2 exhibited a signal increase from pH 5.40 to 0.37 (turn on) and a drastic quenching when pH went from 0.37 to 5.40 (turn off). The protonation/deprotonation stage of the NH group of Pc2 presented fluorescence-based “on-off” type molecular switch properties.
A2 and A2B2 Benzoporphyrins as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Kumar Siddhartha , Webre Whitney , Schaffner Jacob , Islam Sheikh M. S. , D’Souza Francis , Wang Hong
Published: May 2019

The first example of A2B2 tetrabenzoporphyrin (KW-4) was synthesized, characterized and evaluated as a sensitizer for dye-sensitized solar cells. UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed red-shifted and broadened absorption spectra of A2B2 tetrabenzoporphyrin as compared with its A2 dibenzo- and A2B2 dibenzoporphyrin analogues, which is a desired feature of dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells. DFT calculations also indicate favorable electron density distribution on the HOMO and LUMO of KW-4. However, the power conversion efficiency of the solar cell based on tetrabenzoporphyrin KW-4 displayed inferior performance than that of the solar cell based on A2 dibenzoporphyrin KW-2. The lower performance of the KW-4 cell was ascribed to two factors: the low lying LUMO energy level leading to less efficient electron injection and the “flat geometry” of the dye on TiO2surface facilitating charge recombination and decreasing dye loading. The investigation of anchoring group effect suggests that the acrylic acid group is a better anchoring group than pentadienyl carboxylic acid.
Clam-shaped cyclam-functionalized porphyrin for electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide
Authors: Tawil Sumana , Seelajaroen Hathaichanok , Petsom Amorn , Sariciftci Niyazi Serdar , Thamyongkit Patchanita
Published: May 2019

A clam-shaped molecule comprising a Zn(II)-porphyrin and a Zn(II)-cyclam is synthesized and characterized. Its electrochemical behavior and catalytic activity for homogeneous electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO[Formula: see text] are investigated by cyclic voltammetry and compared with those of Zn(II)-meso-tetraphenylporphyrin and Zn(II)-cyclam. Under N2-saturated conditions, cyclic voltammetry of the featured complex has characteristics of its two constituents, but under CO2-saturated conditions, the target compound exhibits significant current enhancement. Iterative reduction under electrochemical conditions indicated the target compound has improved stability relative to Zn(II)-cyclam. Controlled potential electrolysis demonstrates that, without addition of water, methane (CH[Formula: see text] is the only detectable product with 1% Faradaic efficiency (FE). The formation of CH4 is not observed under the catalysis of the Zn(II)-porphyrin benchmark compound, indicating that the CO2-capturing function of the Zn(II)-cyclam unit contributes to the catalysis. Upon addition of 3% v/v water, the electrochemical reduction of CO2 in the presence of the target compound gives carbon monoxide (CO) with 28% FE. Dominance of CO formation under these conditions suggests enhancement of proton-coupled reduction. Integrated action of these Zn(II)-porphyrin and Zn(II)-cyclam units offers a notable example of a molecular catalytic system where the cyclam ring captures and brings CO2 into the proximity of the porphyrin catalysis center.
Photophysical and photochemical properties of newly synthesized zinc(II) and chloroindium(III) phthalocyanines substituted with 3,5-bis (trifluoromethyl)phenoxy groups
Authors: Ahmetali Erem , Atmaca Göknur Yaşa , Karaoğlu Hande Pekbelgin , Erdoğmuş Ali , Koçak Makbule Burkut
Published: May 2019

4,5-bis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)phthalonitrile (1) and its complexes, namely 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy] phthalocyaninato zinc(II) (2) and 2,3,9,-10,16,17,23,24-octakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]phthalocyaninato indium(III) (3) are synthesized and characterized. Aggregation of the phthalocyanines was studied in tetrahydrofuran in different concentrations. Photochemical and photophysical properties of 2 and 3 in THF were investigated. A comparison between the photophysicochemical parameters of 2 and 3 yielded that 3 is a better photosensitizer than 2. The fluorescence quantum yields (ΦF) and 1O2 formation ([Formula: see text] for compound 3 are 0.016 and 0.84, respectively. The values for compound 2 are 0.135 and 0.54, respectively. The values of indium and zinc phthalocyanines (2 and 3) could be classified as photosensitizers in the photocatalytic applications such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer.
(Aminophenyl)porphyrins as precursors for the synthesis of porphyrin-modified siloxanes
Authors: Almeida José , Fortună Maria E. , Pricop Lucia , Lobiuc Andrei , Leite Andreia , Silva André M. N. , Monteiro Rodrigo P. , Rangel Maria , Harabagiu Valeria , Silva Ana M. G.
Published: May 2019

The present research reports the efficient synthesis of mono- and di-(aminophenyl)porphyrins and their metalation with Zn(II) using microwave irradiation. The subsequent reaction of amino-functionalized porphyrins with siloxane moieties bearing epoxy or carboxyl functional groups provided four new porphyrin-modified siloxanes. The structure of the resulting derivatives was established by 1H-NMR and MALDI-TOF-MS. The optical properties of the porphyrin chromophores were preserved, as proven by comparing the absorption and emission spectra of the initial porphyrins to those of the porphyrin-modified siloxanes.
Electrochemical Properties of Supercapacitors Using Boron Nitrogen Double-Doped Carbon Nanotubes as Conductive Additive
Authors: Hu Hao , Sun Xiaogang , Chen Wei , Wang Jie , Li Xu , Huang Yapan , Wei Chengcheng , Liang Guodong
Published: May 2019

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were doped by ammonium borate as the sources of nitrogen and boron. Under the protection of Ar gas, boron-nitrogen doped CNTs were prepared through nitriding and boronization at high temperature. It is a conductive additive. Then, the obtained CNTs were mixed with activated carbon (AC), SP, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and cellulose fiber to prepare electrodes. With all the materials, a symmetric electric double-layer supercapacitor (EDLC) was assembled. Next, the materials and electrodes were also characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The factors, chemical connections, and specific surface area of the CNTs were analyzed by X-ray energy spectrum analysis (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), as well as a specific surface area and porosimetry analyzer (BET). In addition, the electrochemical performances of electric double-layer capacitors were tested with the help of cyclic voltammetry, constant-current charging and discharging, and so on. From the results, we can make a conclusion, that is, both B and N atoms were added into the CNTs and formed bonds successfully with carbon atoms mutually. Besides, the specific surface area is about 1.5 times than that of the CNT. When the charge/discharge current density reaches 50[Formula: see text]mA/g, we can find that the mass specific capacitance of the capacitor can run up to 32.19[Formula: see text]F/g. Also, we observe that the maximum power density is close to 220[Formula: see text]W/kg (700[Formula: see text]mA/g), and the energy density can arrive 9.31[Formula: see text]Wh/kg (50[Formula: see text]mA/g). Based on the impedance test, the electrodes are characterized with low impedance. After 2000 cycles, the boron-nitrogen doped double-layer capacitors maintain a capacitance retention ratio of above 95%. Its power density can still achieve 220[Formula: see text]W/kg when the energy density keeps at 3.46[Formula: see text]Wh/kg. In other words, the electrochemical performance functions of the electric double-layer capacitors are enhanced while the CNTs serve as the electrodes.