bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The structure and stabilization by boundary conditions of an annular flow of Kolmogorov type
Authors: Kornev Andrei A.
Published: July 2017

A system of Navier-Stokes equations with a right-hand side is considered in the case when the system approximately describes the motion of a thin layer of a viscous incompressible fluid in an annular domain under the action of external electromagnetic force. The problem possesses an unstable two-stream nonstationary main flow and a set of quasistationary solutions of vortex type for the tested range of parameters. A method of study of the general dynamic pattern is proposed in the paper. The method is based on the construction of control boundary conditions specified on the internal boundary of the annulus and providing the stabilization of considered unstable modes. The problem of boundary stabilization of the main and secondary flows is also solved numerically and we obtained that it is sufficient to take into account only a part of unstable modes in the construction of stabilizing conditions for the main flow. The method based on the partial stabilization of the main flow is first proposed for stabilization of secondary flows, which essentially simplifies the implementation of the algorithm. Formulations of the problems and numerical algorithms are presented.
A posterioriestimates for a coupled piezoelectric model
Authors: Langer Ulrich , Repin Sergey , Samrowski Tatiana
Published: July 2017

The paper is related to a coupled problem describing piezoelectric effects in an elastic body. For this problem, we deduce majorants of the distance between the exact solution and any approximation in the respective energy class of functions satisfying the boundary conditions. The majorants are fully computable and do not contain mesh dependent constants. They vanish if and only if an approximate solution coincides with the exact one and provide guaranteed upper bounds of errors in terms of the natural energy norm associated with the coupled problem studied.
The triviality condition for kernels of quadratic mappings and its application in optimization methods
Authors: Tret’yakov Aleksey , Tyrtyshnikov Eugene , Ustimenko Aleksey
Published: July 2017

The existence of a nonsingular matrix is proved for any space of square symmetric matrices with a trivial quadratic kernel. Some corollaries from this result are obtained for construction of solvers of nonlinear equations and problems of conditional optimization with a Jacobi matrix of incomplete rank based on the theory of p-regularity for p = 2. Some remarks for the case p ⩾ 3 are presented.
Cement Materials Based on Cellulosic Fibers for Plasters
Authors: Hospodarova Viola , Stevulova Nadezda , Junak Jozef , Geffert Anton , Kacik Frantisek , Briancin Jaroslav
Published: July 2017

This paper presents physical and mechanical properties of cementitious composites/plasters containing cellulosic fibers in portion 2.0% and 5.0% of filler replacement after 28 days of hardening. Cellulosic fibers (Greencel) originated from bleached wood pulp and unbleached waste paper used in this experimental work were characterized from the point of view cellulose structure. Experimental investigations reveal that adding cellulosic fibers reduces composites density (up to 8.2 %) in comparison with composites without any fibers. Moreover, the presence of wood pulp and recycled fibers in composites cause higher values of water absorbability than sample without fibers. Also, the decrease in compressive strength values for tested fiber cement plasters was observed (14.1 - 18.0 MPa) in comparison to reference sample (26.6 MPa). But the identified compressive strength values are in accordance with European standard (5 MPa) for plasters.
Comparison of the Intensity of Ventilation at Windows Exchange in the Room - Case Study
Authors: Kapalo Peter , Voznyak Orest
Published: July 2017

Doing the replacement of old wooden windows in a new plastic windows, in the old buildings, we get the great reducing of the building heat loss. Simpler maintenance and attendance of window is the next advantage. New windows are characterized by better tightness. The aim of the article is determination due to the performed experimental measurements, how much more are reduce the uncontrolled ventilation that is caused of the infiltration windows. In the article there is presented the experimental measurement of indoor air quality in the room in two phases. In the first phase there is the room installed by 55 year old wood window. In the second phase there is the same room installed by new plastic window. Due to the experimental measurement of indoor air quality it is calculated intensity of ventilation - infiltration. These results of ventilation intensity are reciprocally compared.
Property and Sovereignty: How to Tell the Difference
Authors: Ripstein Arthur
Published: July 2017

Property and sovereignty are often used as models for each other. Landowners are sometimes described as sovereign, the state’s territory sometimes described as its property. Both property and sovereignty involve authority relations: both an owner and a sovereign get to tell others what to do — at least within the scope of their ownership or sovereignty. My aim in this Article is to distinguish property and sovereignty from each other by focusing on what lies within the scope of each. I argue that much confusion and more than a little mischief occurs when they are assimilated to each other. The confusion can arise in both directions, either by supposing that property is a sort of stewardship, or that sovereignty is a large-scale form of ownership. One of the great achievements of modern (i.e., Kantian) political thought is recognizing the difference between them.
Numerical Study on the Secondary Air Performance of the Film Holes for the Combined Impingement and Film Cooled First Stage of High Pressure Gas Turbine Nozzle Guide Vane
Authors: Kukutla Pol Reddy , Prasad B.V.S.S.S
Published: July 2017

The present numerical investigation of Leading Edge (LE) Nozzle Guide Vane (NGV) is considered with five rows of impingement holes combined with five rows of film cooled for the secondary coolant flow path analysis. The coolant mass flow rate variations in all the LE rows of the film holes externally subjected to the hot main stream were obtained by making a three-dimensional computational analysis of NGV with a staggered array of film cooled rows. The experiments were carried out for the same NGV using Particle Image Velocimetry technique to determine the effused coolant jet exit velocity at the stagnation row of film holes as mentioned in reference [Kukutla PR, Prasad BVSSS. Secondary flow visualization on stagnation row of a combined impingement and film cooled high pressure gas turbine nozzle guide vane using PIV technique, J Visualization, 2017; DOI: 10.1007/s12650-017-0434-6]. In this paper, results are presented for three different mass flow rates ranges from 0.0037 kg/s to 0.0075 kg/s supplied at the Front Impingement Tube (FIT) plenum. And the mainstream velocity 6 m/s was maintained for all the three coolant mass flow rates. The secondary coolant flow distribution was performed from SH1 to SH5 row of film holes. Each row of a showerhead film hole exit coolant mass flow rate varied in proportion to the amount of coolant mass rates supplied at the FIT cooling channel. The corresponding minimum and maximum values and their film hole locations were altered. The same behaviour was continued for the coolant pressure drop and temperature rise from SH1 to SH5 row of film holes. Owing to the interaction between hot main stream and the coolant that effuses out of the film holes, occasional presence of hot gas ingestion was noticed for certain flow rates. This caused nonlinear distribution in mass flow, pressure drop and temperature rise. The minimum flow rate results estimate oxidation of NGV material near the film cooled hole. And the effect of hot gas ingestion on the ejected film cooled jet which would recommends effective oxidation resistant material which in turn leads to better durability of the NGV surface.
A pesquisa escolar a partir da sala de aula: Conceitos, atitudes e procedimentos
Authors: Blank Cintia Kath , Silva João Alberto da
Published: July 2017

Este trabalho objetiva compreender a atividade da pesquisa escolar a partir da perspectiva do letramento informacional. Participaram deste estudo sete docentes dos anos iniciais de duas escolas de ensino fundamental da cidade do Rio Grande/RS, integrantes do Programa Observatório Nacional da Educação – CAPES. A abordagem metodológica foi norteada pela Investigação-ação escolar, incluindo técnicas de Grupo focal, Planejamento cooperativo, observação nas escolas e Análise de Conteúdo. Compreende-se que as pesquisas desenvolvidas pelos estudantes possuem como foco as temáticas ligadas ao cotidiano; a divulgação de resultados é frequente e a principal dificuldade é a cultura escolar de reprodução de modelos prontos. Os dados analisados apontam que basicamente são praticadas buscas e não propriamente pesquisas, assim, embora as intenções das docentes sejam condizentes com uma visão construtivista, na prática este fato não se concretiza.
Adaptive electrothermal protection of power converters
Authors: Baraniuk R. A. , Todorenko V. A. , Bondarenko O. F.
Published: July 2017

Thermal management for power converters during normal operation and transient modes when electrical components are warmed up is an actual problem. This can be particularly important for converters with intermittent duty operation, e.g. power supplies for resistance welding. According to some research, nearly 60% of failures are temperature-induced, and for every 10°C temperature rise in operating environment the failure rate nearly doubles.
In this paper, thermal motion of state equations eigenvalue is analyzed. It is shown, that in semiconductor converters with an output smoothing filter it is appropriate to use thermal protection devices based on thermal normalization of the converter filter and, while for cases when short circuits are possible it is appropriate to use a soft start system with thermal adaptation for soft start time factor.
Based on these results, two systems of thermal protections operating for semiconductor power converters are introduced. Simulation of combined electromagnetic and thermal processes in buck converter operating with both thermal management systems in overlapping environments MATLAB/Simulink and PLECS showed the possibility to significantly reduce thermal shock on semiconductor components. Using the system of filter parameters normalization decreases the temperature of the crystal from 210°C to 85°C, using the adaptive soft start system decreases the temperature from 180°C to 80°C. The simulation results are confirmed by tests on real devices.
Imitator of signals for plan-position indicator «Picket»
Authors: Tsevuch I. V. , Sheik-Seikin A. N. , Sadchenko A. V. , Kushnirenko O. A. , Savchuk Yu. A.
Published: July 2017

The authors have developed a device for imitation of the signal-interference environment for radars, equipped with the plan-position indicator (PPI) «Picket», which does not require a PC for operation. Thanks to the use of the original method of forming marks from targets, it was possible to significantly reduce the amount of memory, required to store information about the scenario that reliably imitates the operation of the radar in real conditions. The device provides simultaneous operation of twelve indicators of a circular survey and is intended for equipping training centers for the training of air control operators.
Influence of variation of electrical parameters values of RGB LEDs on the radiation uniformity of LED displays at minimal luminosity grade
Authors: Veleschuk V. P. , Vlasenko O. I. , Vlasenko Z. K. , Shynkarenko V. V. , Kudryk Ya. Ya. , Sai P. O. , Borshch V. V.
Published: July 2017

The emission uniformity of LED chips in the entire range of brightness and colors is the problem in LED displays manufacture process. It was approved that at lowering brightness gradations appearing the radiation nonuniformity between LED chips, and the higher disorders will be seen on the lesser emission levels. The RGB LED chips, observed by us, were based on AlGaInP (red), In0.3Ga0.7N/GaN (green), and In0.2Ga0.8N/GaN (blue) and had nominal working current 20 mA. Analysis of the current-voltage characteristics and capacitance-voltage characteristics showed the presence of inhomogeneous semiconductor junctions and ohmic contacts in blue LEDs structures that are the source of possible irregularities in the final emission of LED displays. The variation of voltages (at current 10 mA) was 2.81—2.98 V for blue structures, and 1.9—2.0 V for red ones. Some of the blue structures had additional parasite current-flow mechanism at low current. Rise time and fall time of electroluminescence pulse of blue structures were measured. The shortest LED pulse time in LED displays is limited by duration of 6—8 ns. The quality of LED displays may be improved by implementing the preliminary control of LED chips in a narrower range of voltage variation at operating currents, or more narrow interval of I—V variation. This additional LEDs sorting will of course reduce the percentage of the total amount of light-emitting diodes, but may improve the image (video, photo) quality at translations by using a lower brightness gradations.
The association of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) with psoriatic disease: a prospective cohort study, systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Khan Samer R , Bano Arjola , Wakkee Marlies , Korevaar Tim I M , Franco Oscar H , Nijsten Tamar E C , Peeters Robin P , Chaker Layal
Published: July 2017

Objective

Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and psoriatic disease share auto-immunological components. Few studies have investigated the link between both, yielding inconclusive results.

Design

We assessed the association of AITD with psoriatic disease in a prospective cohort study and performed a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

8214 participants of the Rotterdam Study (RS) with thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPO-Abs), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and/or free thyroxine (FT4) measurements and information on psoriatic disease were included. We performed logistic and Cox regression analyses and a systematic literature search in several electronic databases on AITD and psoriatic disease. We pooled odds ratios (ORs) of included studies using the Mantel-Haenszel method, while adding RS data on prevalent psoriatic disease.

Results

Within the RS, we found no association between TPO-Ab positivity and psoriatic disease. There was a positive trend between TSH and prevalent psoriatic disease, and between FT4 and incident psoriatic disease, although not significant. Out of 1850 articles identified, seven were included in the systematic review and four in the meta-analysis. The risk of psoriatic disease (pooled OR) was 1.71 (confidence interval (CI): 1.27–2.31) for TPO-Ab positivity, 1.25 (CI: 1.14–1.37) for AITD and 1.34 (CI: 1.16–1.54) respectively, and 1.17 (CI: 1.03–1.32) for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.

Conclusions

Our meta-analysis suggests that TPO-Ab positivity, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism might be associated with prevalent psoriatic disease. However, there are only few studies with large heterogeneity regarding psoriatic disease definition and indication of publication bias. Additional prospective data are needed to assess the association of AITD with incident psoriatic disease.
Optimization of Hydrocarbon Production from Unconventional Shale Reservoirs using Numerical Modelling
Authors: J. Will  , S. Eckardt
Published: July 2017

The success of unconventional hydrocarbon extraction depends on the effective stimulation of reservoir rocks. Industry practice is to conduct a large number of field trials requiring high capital investment and long cycle-time. The workflow outlined in this paper, using best available reservoir data in combination with best available simulation models offer a cheaper and faster alternative approach for optimization of the complete design and for the improvement of production. Integrating subsurface characteristics, well completion, well operation, diagnostic and well performance analysis by using asset specific data, the development of an optimal completion design is possible. This results in the reduction of field trials, which is primarily necessary for achieving the optimal completion design. In addition, it provides valuable insights for further data acquisition to evaluate and forecast performance of the well. This paper introduces the workflow to model, calibrate and optimize the landing and orientation of the well including hydraulic fracturing stimulation design for naturally fractured unconventional shale reservoirs. For fracture simulation, the paper introduces an approach for parametric coupled hydro-mechanical 3D Finite Element (FEM) modeling, including non-linear material modeling of fracture propagation in sedimentary rocks. In order to calculate production out of the created fracture network, estimation of accessible connected hydrocarbons is calculated. For calibration and optimization purposes, automated sensitivity studies for uncertainty variations of the reservoir parameters as well as engineering and operational parameters are performed and are evaluated relative to the resulting Stimulated Reservoir Volume (SRV), Accessible Hydrocarbon initially in Place (AHCIIP) and Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR). The current version of this technology does not handle proppant transport and placement. Instead, assumptions are made for proppant acceptance in the fracture network and used in estimating the proppant accepting simulated rock volume, connected hydrocarbons, and hydrocarbon production. Further enhancement of the FEM workflow to capture 3D proppant transport and placement is under development and will be a major update in the upcoming hydraulic fracture simulator version.
Disability Hate Crime: The Overlooked Consequence of the Deinstitutionalization of Care
Authors: Šumskienė Eglė
Published: July 2017

Both disability hate crime and institutional violence are major violations of the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities. This article aims to discuss both forms of violence in the context of deinstitutionalization of care in the countries of Eastern and Central Europe1 and the prevailing high rates of discriminatory attitudes in this region.This paper follows a contextualized approach toward discrimination and invokes predominant attitudes in the societies of the region as one particular aspect of the general context. This approach helps to estimate the potential threats for residents of social care institutions to experience hate crime in the community.Residential care institutions are criticized for high rates of institutional violence; nevertheless, the transfer of residents to community care may expose them to hate crimes in the community. This aspect of deinstitutionalization neither appears on the public and political agenda, nor is it being analyzed by academia in the region. This paper draws attention to important consequences of deinstitutionalization, which possibly have been overlooked by the promoters of deinstitutionalization as well as by the disability policy makers in the region. This composes the originality and practical value of the paper.
Erythropoietin dose and survival of hemodialysis patients
Authors: Mohammadian Mahdi , Salehiniya Hamid , Khazaei Salman , Mohammadian-Hafshejani Abdollah
Published: July 2017

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known as a major health problem worldwide (Levey et al., 2007). The CKD is defined as a stage of disease in which the patient's kidney function is less than a half of normal capacity (2). If the kidney function is 10% to 15% less than the normal capacity, the patient has reached the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). At this stage, the kidney transplant or dialysis with hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis is necessary for patient's survival (Levey et al., 2002).
Research Priorities in Sudden Unexpected Infant Death: An International Consensus
Authors: Hauck Fern R. , McEntire Betty L. , Raven Leanne K. , Bates Francine L. , Lyus Lucy A. , Willett Alexis M. , Blair Peter S.
Published: July 2017

Despite the success of safe sleep campaigns and the progress in understanding risk factors, the rate of reduction in the cases of sudden infant death syndrome has now slowed and it remains a leading cause of postneonatal mortality in many developed countries. Strategic action is needed to tackle this problem and it is now vital to identify how the sudden infant death research community may best target its efforts. The Global Action and Prioritization of Sudden Infant Death Project was an international consensus process that aimed to define and direct future research by investigating the priorities of expert and lay members of the sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) community across countries. The aim was to identify which areas of research should be prioritized to reduce the number of SUID deaths globally. Scientific researchers, clinicians, counselors, educators, and SUID parents from 25 countries took part across 2 online surveys to identify potential research priorities. Workshops subsequently took place in the United Kingdom, United States, and Australia to reach consensus and 10 priority areas for research were established. Three main themes among the priorities emerged: (1) a better understanding of mechanisms underlying SUID, (2) ensuring best practice in data collection, management and sharing, and (3) a better understanding of target populations and more effective communication of risk. SUID is a global problem and this project provides the international SUID community with a list of shared research priorities to more effectively work toward explaining and reducing the number of sudden infant deaths.
Znaczenie nierówności dochodowych dla inwestycji w kapitał ludzki w latach 1970–2012
Authors: Bartak Jakub , Jabłoński Łukasz
Published: July 2017

The paper presents an empirical analysis of the importance of income inequality for human capital investment in various countries of the World between 1970 and 2012. The analysis was conducted with the estimation of regression parameters, with quantitative and qualitative measures of human capital investment as independent variables. With the analysis based on panel data, it was possible to control the calculations for individual countries, time and random effects. That is the contribution to the debate over the relations between income inequality and quantitative investment in human capital. Our calculations show a negative relationship between income inequality and quantitative measures of human capital investment. This negative relationship is resistant to the model’s specifications. However, the calculation results do not allow us to draw conclusions about the relationships between income inequality and a qualitative measure of human capital investment.
Etyka międzynarodowa a odpowiedzialność za ochronę
Authors: Kabat-Rudnicka Danuta
Published: July 2017

The article examines a new institution of international law that has taken shape since the beginning of the 21st century: the responsibility to protect. This responsibility is interpreted in the light of theories of international relations and international ethics. In the article, analytical and descriptive research methods have been applied. While the relatively new institution of the responsibility to protect has, due to its importance, gained fairly widespread acceptance in the international community, it has also been criticised as too difficult to implement. Nevertheless, it deserves our attention as the most radical programme legitimising actions taken under the auspices of the United Nations to protect the civilian population when it is facing threat.
Próba identyfikacji zakresu i zasad koncepcji dobrego rządzenia
Authors: Szumowski Witold
Published: July 2017

The paper analyses ways of understanding good governance. The first part examines a number of definitions of the concept of good governance developed by multilateral organizations, national institutions and scientists. This is followed by a discussion of the criticism of good governance. The final section offersa universal definition of good governance and its constituent principles.
Sherlock's “Brain-Attic”: Information Culture and the Liberal Professional Dilemma
Authors: Takanashi Kyoko
Published: July 2017

Situating Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories in the context of late Victorian information culture shows how Holmes's professionalism worries the line between information and knowledge, surveillance institutions and liberal society. Because of his information savvy, Holmes has often been considered a figure of surveillance. A closer look at the Holmes narratives, however, reveals that he occupies a more ambiguous place—while his surveillance techniques seem to align him with bureaucratic institutions, he asserts his independence from state institutions and acts as a liberal agent concerned with information sharing and the moral well-being of society. Holmes's cognitive process strikes a balance between data and narrative, allowing him to maintain a critical distance essential to his professionalism and liberalism.
But What about Love?
Authors: Fuss Diana
Published: July 2017

It is no criticism to note that Rita Felski's provocative, Frank, and spirited bookThe Limits of Critiqueis itself a work of critique, and a rhetorically powerful and persuasive one at that. While the hermeneutics of suspicion comes under considerable analytic pressure in the book, Felski does not hesitate to read for hidden meanings, tease out internal contradictions, or cast a skeptical eye on skepticism. Rather, she effectively engages in critique, without apology or embarrassment.
“Critique Is Ordinary”
Authors: Love Heather
Published: July 2017

In her scholarship and her editorship of the journal New Literary History, Rita Felski has played a central role in recent debates about reading methods in literary studies. Literary critics engaged in endless discussions about how to read may strike an odd note, since reading is the one thing everyone assumes we know how to do. But in the face of the defunding of the humanities, critics have been rethinking the epistemological and ethical grounds of the field and proposing new and often unfamiliar approaches. In her latest book, The Limits of Critique, Felski addresses this “legitimation crisis” by turning her attention to critique, that systematic and skeptical form of inquiry that, she argues, dominates the contemporary practice of literary criticism (5). Critique, associated since Immanuel Kant with the questioning of religious and other forms of dogma, has in her view become a new dogma, an obligatory “style of thinking” in the profession (2). Focusing on critique as “mood and method” (1), Felski follows Paul Ricoeur in considering the attitude of suspicion—detached, wary, vigilant—as the guarantee of scholarly rigor and the last refuge of oppositional thought. Felski has little patience with such high-flown claims. Her focus is on the limits of critique: she sees it as one approach among others, reminding her readers that suspicion is a professional habitus with established links to law, expertise, and bureaucracy. She does not wish to bury critique; rather, she wishes to “redescribe” it, to “offer a fresh slant on a familiar practice in the hope of getting a clearer sense of how and why critics read” (2). If the effect of this reframing is to deflate critique, Felski's ultimate goal in The Limits of Critique is to widen “the affective range of criticism”: “Why are we so hyperarticulate about our adversaries and so excruciatingly tongue-tied about our loves?” (13), she asks, and sets out to imagine a more generous criticism.
Integrity changes of cement sheath due to contamination by drilling fluid
Authors: Cheng Xiaowei , Liu Kaiqiang , Zhang Xingguo , Li Zaoyuan , Guo Xiaoyang
Published: July 2017

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction were used to explore the effects of drilling fluid contamination on the mechanical and porosity–permeability properties of cement stone. The experimental results showed that the mechanical and porosity–permeability properties deteriorated due to contamination by drilling fluid. The deterioration in properties was found to be more serious with an increase in drilling fluid content: for a drilling fluid content of 30%, mechanical properties were reduced by about 50% compared with those of pure cement stone, and porosity and permeability were increased by 7·9% and 0·369 millidarcy (3·6 × 10−12 cm2). SEM, EDS and TGA revealed that chemical incompatibility between drilling fluid additives and cement slurry is the main reason for contamination: the additives contain many functional groups that are not compatible with cement slurry (e.g. carboxylate (–COO−) and amide groups (–CONH2)). These additives easily generate a flocculation mechanism when in contact with cement slurry. They are adsorbed onto the surfaces of cement grains, thus coating the cement particles, reducing the hydration reaction rate and destroying development of the cement stone microstructure, leading to a reduction in strength and an increase in porosity and permeability.
Refined shear correction of polygonal plates with static loads
Authors: Lim Teik-Cheng
Published: July 2017

This paper establishes the shear correction factors of simply supported thick plates of pentagonal, hexagonal and other regular polygonal shapes that are uniformly loaded. By converting the Kirchhoff theory of the generic polygonal thin plates to the Reddy and Mindlin shear deformation models for thick plates, the shear correction factors of the thick polygonal Mindlin plates were obtained by benchmarking against the thick polygonal Reddy plates. Results show that the shear correction factor is a function of the dimensionless plate thickness, the Poisson's ratio of the plate material and the number of plate sides, and that simplification of the shear correction factors leads to the customary – and the lower bound – shear correction factor of 5/6. Comparison of the shear correction factors across the various polygonal plates shows that the shear correction factor increases with the number of plate edges, but the rate of increase then tapers off, asymptotically approaching the factor for a circular plate. The established semi-empirical model allows the shear correction factors of other regular thick polygonal plates to be estimated.
Fibre-reinforced polymer efficiency in square columns with different corner radii
Authors: Mostofinejad Davood , Ilia Elaheh , Mortazavi Nasrin
Published: July 2017

Confinement of concrete columns by means of externally bonded fibre-reinforced polymer composites is a well-established technique for strengthening purposes. The corner effect is one of the most important parameters affecting the polymer composite efficiency in confined square and rectangular columns. In this work, non-linear finite-element analysis was used to investigate the behaviour of polymer-composite-confined square columns considering the effect of the corner radius. To compare the efficiency of polymer confinement for different corner radii, column specimens with corner radius-to-side dimension ratios between 0 and 0·5 were modelled and analysed. The Tsai–Wu failure criterion was used to examine the behaviour of the polymer composite under biaxial stresses. The results showed that increasing the corner radius provided more uniformly distributed confining stresses and also increased the polymer composite rupture strain, which improved its efficiency in confinement. Based on the results, in specimens with sharper corners, the interaction of biaxial stresses, hoop tension and axial compression, according to the Tsai–Wu failure criterion, causes maximum stress at the section corners. This leads to premature rupture of the polymer composite at these parts, thus reducing the efficiency of the composite.
Renal Tubular Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Accelerate the Recovery of Established Renal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Dominguez Jesus H. , Liu Yunlong , Gao Hongyu , Dominguez James M. , Xie Danhui , Kelly K. J.
Published: July 2017

Ischemic renal injury is a complex syndrome; multiple cellular abnormalities cause accelerating cycles of inflammation, cellular damage, and sustained local ischemia. There is no single therapy that effectively resolves the renal damage after ischemia. However, infusions of normal adult rat renal cells have been a successful therapy in several rat renal failure models. The sustained broad renal benefit achieved by relatively few donor cells led to the hypothesis that extracellular vesicles (EV, largely exosomes) derived from these cells are the therapeutic effector in situ. We now show that EV from adult rat renal tubular cells significantly improved renal function when administered intravenously 24 and 48 hours after renal ischemia in rats. Additionally, EV treatment significantly improved renal tubular damage, 4-hydroxynanoneal adduct formation, neutrophil infiltration, fibrosis, and microvascular pruning. EV therapy also markedly reduced the large renal transcriptome drift observed after ischemia. These data show the potential utility of EV to limit severe renal ischemic injury after the occurrence.
Scientific and non-scientific information in the uptake of health information: The case of Ebola
Authors: Falade Bankole A. , Coultas Clare J.
Published: July 2017

The Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa (2013–2016) claimed over 10 000 lives in less than 18 months. Low levels of familiarity with the disease, ease of transmission, scale of infection, gruesomeness of symptoms, lack of cure and high fatality rate created a global panic. From the perspective of the social psychology of communication and content analysis, this study examines media coverage of the crisis in Africa with a view to unpacking the scientific and non-scientific information that may have framed public understanding of the disease. Findings show that accepting scientific advice was not unproblematic, because of the similarity of early symptoms with known diseases such as Lassa, dengue and malaria fevers. Cultural and religious actors and beliefs posed a paradox for believers as the public assimilated disease prevention information into existing norms and practices. Rumours and conspiracy theories about Western governments and pharmaceuticals also contributed to the rejection of the scientific explanation of its origin. Fear of the devastating effects of the disease and the lack of a cure led to the stigmatisation of the infected and treatment centres and ultimately to public revolts. Findings show the importance of non-scientific information and actors in matters of health and illness in Africa.

Significance: 

Scientific knowledge is not enough to change health behaviour. Non-scientific knowledge and actors, traditional and religious practices, rumours and conspiracy theories must all be factored into efforts to address behavioural change.
TRANSMISSÃO VERTICAL DO HIV: DIFICULDADE NA ADESÃO AO PRÉ-NATAL
Authors: Moreira dos Santos Sara , Santana Silva dos Santos Denise , Ferreira Bispo Tania Christiane , Nascimento Nunes Fabiane , Gama Passos Silva Lucas , Moniz Pacheco Lima Silas Ricarti
Published: July 2017

Objetivo: Averiguar nas produções científicas as dificuldades das mulheres HIV positivas em aderir o pré-natal. Metodologia: Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica de caráter descritiva e exploratória. A busca eletrônica dos artigos que atendiam aos critérios de inclusão foi realizada mediante consulta às bases de dados Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e Bases de Dados de Enfermagem (BDENF) e PUBMED, no período de 2005-2014. Resultados e discussão: Foram selecionadas 8 publicações, evidenciando que na literatura nos últimos dez anos há carência nas produções científicas no cenário da atenção básica, voltadas às dificuldades de mulheres HIV positivas em aderirem o pré-natal. A análise revela que diversos fatores como, aceitação da gravidez, descoberta tardia da gestação, dificuldade no acesso aos serviços de saúde e descontinuidade no pré-natal dificultam a adesão destas mulheres, interferindo diretamente no processo de prevenção da transmissão vertical do HIV. Considerações finais: Evidencia-se na literatura nos últimos dez anos carência nas produções científicas no cenário da atenção básica. Assim, espera-se que esta pesquisa possa contribuir para melhorar a qualidade do pré-natal no Brasil, a fim de captar e detectar precocemente as gestantes HIV positivas, intervindo de forma integral.
“Então eu posso dizer ‘eu’ na redação?”: da subjetividade na linguagem à autoria na argumentação escrita
Authors: Oliveira Giovane Fernandes
Published: July 2017

Este artigo busca responder à seguinte questão: em que medida o uso da primeira pessoa do discurso e a prática do plágio permitem falar em subjetividade na linguagem e autoria na argumentação escrita? Para tanto, recorre às noções de subjetividade (BENVENISTE, 2005; 2006) e autoria (SIMÕES et al., 2012) para analisar uma experiência docente em Língua Portuguesa na qual essas duas questões de linguagem se destacaram. O artigo conclui que o ensino de recursos linguísticos para expressar efeitos de objetividade e subjetividade, bem como para referir o dizer do outro, são conhecimentos necessários à constituição da autoria na argumentação escrita, pois implicam a dupla relação do aluno com o seu discurso e com o discurso do outro.
Psychological and economic self-sufficiency among low-income jobseekers with physical disability barriers
Authors: Hong Philip Young P. , Stokar Haley , Choi Sangmi
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this research is to investigate the process of psychological empowerment by way of examining the effects of perceived employment barrier on employment hope, and employment hope on economic self-sufficiency. A structural equation modeling analysis was used with a sample of 517 participants in a job readiness program of a community-based social service organization in Chicago. Results indicate that employment hope mediates the path between perceived barriers and economic self-sufficiency. Findings provide preliminary evidence to support an empowerment-based approach to rehabilitation, promoting self-sufficiency among people with physical disabilities using interventions that address employment barriers and employment hope.
A study on the prevalence of risk factors and presence of diabetic foot ulcers in T2DM patients in K. R. Hospital, Mysuru
Authors: S. Chandrashekar , Muralidhar Suraj
Published: July 2017

Background: India is one of the top ten diabetes mellitus (DM) countries. Thus, the aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of DFU risk factors and DFU prevalence among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.Methods: An epidemiological study was conducted on an outpatient basis in K. R. hospital, Mysuru. All T2DM participants were ≥ 18 years were included. Demographic and foot care behavior were assessed using minimum data sheet (MDS). Meanwhile, presence of risk factors was evaluated for neuropathy and presence of angiopathy was evaluated with ankle brachial index (ABI) by using a hand-held doppler both dorsal and posterior tibial.Results: At the end of study, 249 T2DM participants were enrolled. The prevalence of DFU risk factors was 55.4% (95% CI: 53.7% - 57.0%), and prevalence of DFU was 12% (95% CI: 10.3% - 13.6%).Conclusions: Even though the prevalence of DFU is high, identification associated factors for presence of risk and DFU has not been integrated into national guideline. Thus, preventive strategies should be introduced at early stage to prevent presence of risk and DFU.
Management of hemodynamically unstable patients with fracture pelvis Mafraq Hospital experience, UAE
Authors: Alkatary Mohammed , Miller Jody Robert , Al Ayoubi Fawzi
Published: July 2017

Background: Multidisciplinary team and multiple approaches were introduced to improve the outcome after significant pelvic trauma. In present study, we are evaluating our institutional management modalities for unstable patients with unstable pelvic fractures using angio-embolization, pelvic packing with or without angio-embolization and conservative management with surgical intensive care unit (SICU) admission.Methods: We reviewed 108 patients admitted with pelvic fractures from January 2013 to September 2014, 19 patients (17.5%) were hemodynamically unstable with pelvic fracture. Massive transfusion protocol was activated in all patients. FAST scan was done. Level 1 trauma CT for the responder and transient responder patients.Results: Out of 19 patients, 7 patients (36.8%) were good responders to resuscitation with maintaining of their hemoglobin stable, with no extravasation of dye, admitted to SICU for conservative management. 4 patients (21%) were responders with CT trauma revealed dye leak so they underwent angio-embolization, SICU admission. 8 patients (42.1%) were non-responders underwent preperitoneal packing, one of them had additional angio-embolization.Conclusions: Preperitoneal packing is an excellent choice for non-responder patients, while angio-embolization can be done for responder and transient responder patients with evident dye extravasation. This study needs more evaluation on a wider clinical scale.
Clinical profile of acute rheumatic fever patients attending a tertiary care hospital in eastern Bihar, India
Authors: Suman Shanker , Kumar Rakesh , Jyoti Divya , Agrawal Pramod Kumar , Parmar Vishal
Published: July 2017

Background: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a multisystem disease resulting from an autoimmune reaction to infection with group A beta haemolytic streptococcus. Acute rheumatic fever commonly occurs between 5-14 years of age.1 The major concern relating to acute rheumatic fever is often not the episode itself but the long-term consequences of damage to heart valves (Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) that often results from recurrent episodes of acute rheumatic fever. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continues to be a major public health problem and a common cause of morbidity and mortality in many parts of India.2Methods: 50 consecutive patients admitted with the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever in Medicine Department, Katihar Medical College and Hospital, Bihar, India were studied. A detailed clinical history of these patients including presenting symptoms were noted. Physical examination of all systems was done and a diagnosis of acte rheumatic fever was made according to WHO Criteria (2002-2003) for the diagnosis of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease (Based on the Revised Jones Criteria). Echocardiography of all 50 patients were done.Results: Mean age of patients diagnosed with ARF was 14.20±7.02 years. Out of 50 patients, 32 (64%) were female and 18 (36%) were male. Joint pain was the commonest presenting complain, 35 (70%) patients, followed by fever in 21 (42%) patients. Among Jones major manifestations 36 (72%) cases had carditis, 32 (64%) had arthritis, 6 (12%) had subcutaneous nodules, 5 (10%) had erythema marginatum and5(10%) had Sydenham’s chorea. In patients with carditis, 25 (69.44%) had mitral regurgitation (MR) only while 10 (27.77%) had MR with aortic regurgitation (AR) and 1 (2.77%) patient had organic tricuspid regurgitation (TR) with mitral regurgitation and aortic regurgitation. Out of 36 patients with carditis, 10 (27.77%) patients did not have any clinical evidence of carditis and were detected by echocardiography only.Conclusions: Commonest complain in patients with rheumatic fever was joint pain followed by fever. In patients with carditis, all had mitral regurgitation(MR), with 1/3rd of these patients having associated aortic regurgitation(AR). 1/3rd of patients with carditis were detected by echo only and therefore, echo should be included in diagnostic criteria for acute rheumatic fever. None of the patients who developed rheumatic fever was on penicillin prophylaxis.
Composição da avifauna do IFSULDEMINAS - Campus Inconfidentes
Authors: Passari Gustavo José , Souza Marcos Magalhães de , Manhães Marco Antônio
Published: July 2017

As aves desempenham diferentes funções ecossistêmicas, entretanto, ainda são escassos os estudos de diversidade em alguns lugares do país como o sul de Minas Gerais. Dessa forma, o objetivo deste estudo é obter informações sobre a avifauna do IFSULDEMINAS – Campus Inconfidentes. O estudo foi realizado no período de março de 2014 a agosto de 2015, totalizando 30 dias de observações em fragmentos de floresta estacional semidecidual montana, áreas abertas e alagadas no Campus da Fazenda Escola do IFSULDEMINAS, município de Inconfidentes, Minas Gerais. As espécies foram registradas por meio de observações diretas, vista armada e desarmada, com registro fotográfico. Foram identificadas 107 espécies de aves pertencentes a 38 famílias e a 20 ordens. As famílias mais representativas em números de espécies foram a Thraupidae com 14 espécies avistadas e a Tyrannidae com 13 espécies, que são frequentes pelo grande número de espécies que compõem essas famílias. Algumas das espécies encontradas constam da lista das espécies ameaçadas de extinção para o Estado de Minas Gerais, demonstrando a relevância da área para a avifauna.
Ischemia modified albumin as an early biomarker in diagnosing the late stages abortus in cows
Authors: Yokus Beran , Ercan Nazli , Fidancý Ulvi , Gün Mustafa
Published: July 2017

Nowadays, Ischemia Modified Albumin (IMA) has been regarded as an indicator for various maladies and complicated pregnancy in humans. Therefore, it is hypothesized that evaluation of the maternal serum IMA degrees can serve as an early detection of abortion in dairy cows. 252 Holstein cows’ serum samples were taken both in the 2nd and 6th months of their pregnancy. Twenty-two cattle were selected as a positive control group among the non aborted ones. Furthermore, blood samples from 20 non-pregnant cows were taken to identify the effects of physiological changes of pregnancy. IMA and Ischemia Modified Albumin Rate (IMAR) were markedly higher (p less than 0.01); and albumin was markedly lower (p less than 0.01) in aborted cows and healthy-pregnant cows compared with non-pregnant cows in both months. In aborted cows, IMA, IMAR and Oxidative stress index (OSI) degrees were found to be more increased than healthy pregnancies both in 2nd and 6th months of pregnancy; however, there were statistically significant only at 6th month (p less than 0.01). Total Oxidative Stress (TOS) levels were higher than healthy pregnancies. So, as a result of IMA which was caused by oxidative stress rising from hypoxia/ischemia could serve as an early bioindicator for miscarriage in cattle.
Development of species-specific PCR for the identification of three grouper fish species (Epinephelus septemfasciatus, E. bruneus and E. akaara)
Authors: Kim Yoo-Kyung , Lee Chi-Hoon , Lee Young-Don , Han Sang-Hyun
Published: July 2017

The aim of the study was to develop rapid, precise and species-specific method of the identification of three grouper species (Red-spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara; Longtooth grouper, E. bruneus; Seven-band grouper, E. septemfasciatus), by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) mediated molecular method. A common forward primer and three different species-specific primers were designed for all the three species from the fragment of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene. The species-specific amplification patterns showed three different bands of basepair length of had 344 bp (Red-spotted grouper), 262 bp (Longtooth grouper), and 130 bp (Seven-band grouper) which were available in the DNA samples isolated from each verified species, unknown collections, and even in mixed processed samples. Thus PCR assay provides reliable, simple, easy and low cost method for species identification of these three species of groupers.