bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Self‐Management Assessment Scale: Development and psychometric testing of a screening instrument for person‐centred guidance and self‐management support
Authors: Öberg Ulrika , Hörnsten Åsa , Isaksson Ulf
Published: December 2018

Aim

To develop and psychometrically test the Self‐Management Assessment Scale (SMASc), a screening instrument for person‐centred guidance and self‐management support of persons with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Background

T2D is a common and globally increasing chronic condition. Improved self‐management is a vital and integral component of diabetes care to prevent complications from poorly managed diabetes. For diabetes nurses to better understand persons with diabetes experienced challenges and needs regarding self‐management and further for persons with T2D to take an active role in managing their condition, an instrument measuring this is needed.

Design

Instrument development and psychometric testing of the content and construct validity, factor structure and reliability.

Method

The SMASc was psychometric tested on a sample of participants (September 2017–November 2017) with a confirmed diagnosis of T2D (N = 104).

Results

Psychometric findings were satisfactory and supported the scale´s reliability. Cronbach's alpha, CVI and goodness‐of‐fit were acceptable.

Conclusion

Self‐Management Assessment Scale is a short validated screening instrument, which can indicate possible barriers for self‐management that ought to be approached during the conversation between the person with T2D and the primary healthcare nurses. Therefore, it is a promising instrument to be used to facilitate person‐centred guidance and to improve self‐management of people living with T2D.
Periconception weight management in the Women, Infants, and Children program
Authors: Gilmore L. A. , Augustyn M. , Gross S. M. , Vallo P. M. , Paige D. M. , Redman L. M.
Published: December 2018

Introduction

Reproductive age women, particularly low‐income and minority women, are at risk for obesity. As an integral service provider for these women, the US Department of Agriculture Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children is uniquely positioned to refine its focus and efforts.

Methods

Strategies for accomplishing this goal include identifying pregnant, inter‐partum and post‐partum women in need of targeted patient‐centred services including education, counselling and support to address weight loss or appropriate gestational weight gain.

Results

These services may include calorie‐controlled diets, behavioural strategies, alternative methods of education delivery and extending post‐partum benefits. Implementation of these strategies is feasible through collaboration with related government subsidized programs and reallocation of funds, staff and other resources.

Conclusions

Given the magnitude of the problem and the adverse outcomes that obesity has on health and quality of life, Women, Infants, and Children can more positively impact the lives of our most vulnerable families, which face an obesogenic environment.
Moisture‐resistant and strength retention properties of supercritical CO2‐processed thermoplastic starch modified by polyvinyl alcohol with varying degrees of polymerization
Authors: Sun Liang‐Shuang , Wang Da‐wei , Peng Xuan‐long , Runt James , Huang Chao‐ming , Huang Kuo‐Shien , Yeh Jen‐taut
Published: December 2018

The ease of melt‐processing, moisture‐resistance, and tensile retention properties of scCO2 and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)–modified thermoplastic starch (scCO2TPSxPVAay) materials were explored in this investigation. These characteristics were considerably improved by PVA modification particularly with decreasing PVA degree of polymerization (DP). The intensities of O―H stretching bands of scCO2TPSxPVAay were considerably larger, and peak location of O―H stretching bands were significantly smaller than those of the corresponding TPSxPVAay and reduced gradually with the decrease in PVA's DP. The ΔH of melting and diffraction peaks of Vh‐type crystals for conditioned TPSxPVAay and scCO2TPSxPVAay were considerably smaller than those of corresponding TPS and TPSxPVAay aged for the same time period and gradually reduced in intensity with decreasing PVA's DP. Possible reasons accounting for the considerably improved melt processing, moisture resistance, tensile retention, and retrogradation of scCO2TPSxPVAay with decreasing PVA's DP are proposed.
Comparative study of single‐layer graphene and single‐walled carbon nanotube‐filled epoxy nanocomposites based on mechanical and thermal properties
Authors: Zakaria Muhammad Razlan , Abdul Kudus Muhammad Helmi , Md Akil Hazizan , Thirmizir Mohd Zharif Mohd , Abdul Malik Muhammad Fadhirul Izwan , Othman Muhammad Bisyrul Hafi , Ullah Faheem , Javed Fatima
Published: December 2018

Single layer graphene (SLG) and single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) were chosen as a candidate to reinforce epoxy resin due to their extraordinary intrinsic properties. In this paper, the comparison of SLG and SWCNT on epoxy nanocomposites has been investigated based on their mechanical and thermal properties. First, the SLG and SWCNT were characterized by extreme high‐resolution field emission scanning electron microscope, high‐resolution transmission electron microscope, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The mechanical and thermal properties of both epoxy nanocomposites were investigated at different weight percentages of filler loading (i.e., 0.1–0.5%). The results indicated that the SWCNT‐filled epoxy nanocomposites have higher mechanical properties, but slightly lower thermal properties as compared with the SLG filled epoxy nanocomposites. The tensile strength, fracture toughness and thermal conductivity of the SLG filled epoxy nanocomposites improved up to 7, 14, and 35%, respectively, and the SWCNT filled epoxy nanocomposites improved up to 10, 21, and 26%, respectively. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E1840–E1849, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Immobilization of [MoO2(acac)2] on surface of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles: A heterogeneous and reusable catalyst for olefin epoxidation reactions
Authors: Ghanbari Resketi Farzane , Salehi Samie , Bahramian Bahram , Mirzaee Mahdi
Published: December 2018

A new heterogeneous catalyst was prepared by grafting [MoO2(acac)2] on the hydroxyapatite (HAP) nanoparticle surfaces. The resulting catalyst, [MoO2(acac)]@HAP, was characterized by the powder X‐ray diffraction, FT‐IR spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma/atomic emission spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray analysis, thermogravimetery analysis, and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The results obtained confirmed that the catalyst could be successfully used for the efficient epoxidation of olefins with tert‐butyl hydrogen peroxide in 1,2‐dichloroethane as the solvent. This heterogeneous catalyst could be reused for several times without a significant loss in its catalytic activity and with no significant reduction in the reaction yield. This novel material showed a great catalytic performance, and the reactions carried out using this catalyst showed a good‐to‐excellent yield, high purity of the desired products, and a short reaction time.
Carbocation stability as predictor for electrophilic addition of HCl to chlorinated ethenes and propenes in the gas phase
Authors: Zahl Maria G. , Sæthre Leif J. , Thomas T. Darrah , Børve Knut J.
Published: December 2018

Electrophilic addition of halo acids to alkenes is commonly discussed in terms of the stability of the corresponding carbocation intermediate. In solution, this may be rationalized by reference to Hammond's postulate. The corresponding gas‐phase reaction takes place via a concerted mechanism without the formation of a cationic intermediate. Still, the series ethene, propene, and 2‐methylpropene show excellent correlation between proton affinities (PA) and gas‐phase activation energies for the addition of halo acids, with the activation energy decreasing linearly with increasing PA. Thus, PA presents itself as a potential predictor of reactivity also in the gas phase. To explore this possibility, we have performed high‐level calculations of cation stability (as reflected in PA) and activation energy for addition of HCl (Ea) for 12 chlorinated ethenes and propenes. Contrary to the hypothesis, for the present set of substrates, the correlation between PA and Ea is weak, and moreover, for subsets such as the series ethene, 1,2‐dichloroethene, and tetrachloroethene, Ea increases with increasing PA. An alternative approach of correlating Ea to carbon 1s ionization energies rather than PA shows moderately higher correlation overall and much better correlation within subsets of compounds that share the same number of chlorines attached to the carbon subject to electrophilic attack/core ionization.
Controlling of reactive species in atmospheric Ar bubble discharge by adding N2/O2a
Authors: Zhou Xiong‐Feng , Wang Wen‐Chun , Yang De‐Zheng , Liang Jian‐Ping , Zhao Zi‐Lu , Yuan Hao
Published: December 2018

An underwater Ar bubble discharge is excited by nanosecond pulsed power, and the effects of adding N2/O2 in Ar discharge on products are investigated. This work focus on regulating species concentration in plasma activated water (PAW), and then seeking specific concentrations for future application. The optical emission spectra (OES) and colorimetric chemical probes are used to diagnose and measure active species in plasma region or liquid phase. The H2O2 energy yield with Ar bubble can be up to 3.04 g kWh−1. The emission intensity characteristics of Ar (4p‐4s), OH (A‐X), Hα, and O (3p‐3s) in plasma region, and the concentrations of H2O2, , and in liquid are investigated with adding varying N2/O2 proportion in Ar bubble discharge.
Initial severity‐dependent longitudinal model with application to a randomized controlled trial of women with depression
Authors: Kim Seonjin , Cho Hyunkeun Ryan , Zhang Xianyang
Published: December 2018

The assessment of initial severity of a disease is arguably one of the most important factors in identifying appropriate therapies. In this paper, we propose an initial severity‐dependent longitudinal model to account for the influence of the initial severity of a disease on the posttreatment severity and the efficacy of medical treatments. The proposed model has the flexibility of nonparametric modeling, as it allows coefficients to vary with the initial severity of the disease. It also provides attractive and practical patient‐specific interpretation of initial severity‐dependent coefficients. As a result, the proposed model enables patient‐specific modeling and treatment recommendations consistent with the assessment of the patient's initial severity, and thus, it can be used as a decision support tool for clinicians. A new empirical likelihood approach is employed for efficient estimation and statistical inference about the initial severity‐dependent coefficients. In contrast to the literature on marginal regression models, the proposed estimation procedure allows nuisance parameters associated with the working correlation matrix and the error variances to vary smoothly with the initial severity. The effectiveness of the proposed procedure is demonstrated via simulation studies. We further apply the proposed method by analyzing a data set arising from a randomized controlled trial of women with depression and discover an interesting phenomenon; antidepressant medication intervention is effective for patients with moderate or severe depression, whereas psychotherapy intervention using manual‐guided cognitive behavior therapy is effective for patients with a severe case of depression.
Zinc Cobalt Sulfide Microspheres as a High‐Performance Electrode Material for Supercapacitors
Authors: Gao Xueyan , Chang Qin , Hong Juan , Long Dayang , Jin Guizhen , Xiao Xuxian
Published: December 2018

Fast charging/discharging rate, sustained cycle life, and high power density are irreplaceable virtues of supercapacitors (SCs), and these merits can be achieved by selecting suitable active materials and designing the rational microstructure. In this work, zinc cobalt sulfde (ZCS) microspheres have been synthesized by a simple two‐step method involving an ethylene glycol (EG) mediated solvothermal approach and subsequent sulfidation treatment. The formation mechanism of the microspheres is also proposed in detail by analyzing the time‐dependent SEM observations. Compared to ZCS nanosheets, ZCS microspheres achieve better electrochemical storage performance due to their satisfactory mesoporous feature, conductivity, and effective transport/diffusion paths for ions and electrons. When used as the electrode material of supercapacitor, ZCS microspheres not only obtain a large specific capacitance of 1516 F g−1 (211 mAh g−1) at 1 A g−1 with good rate capability of 1080 F g−1 (150 mAh g−1) at 10 A g−1, but also exhibit exceptional cycling stability with a capacitance reduced 6% of the initial specific capacitance at 10 A g−1 after 4000 cycles. An asymmetric supercapacitor using ZCS microspheres as the cathode and activated carbon (AC) as the anode is assembled, which achieves high specific capacitance (489.3 F g−1), energy density (152.9 Wh kg−1), and power density (750 W kg−1) at 1 A g−1 with the capacitance retention of 79% at 5 A g−1 after 2000 cycles. This work illustrates the promising application potential of the ZCS microspheres as the electrode material for electrochemical capacitors.
Efficient Antibacterial and Low Cytotoxic Potential of Silver Nanoparticles Produced Instantaneously Using Dimeric Gallate
Authors: Kumar Krishan , Saran Mukesh , Yadav Lalit , Shyamlal Bharti Rajesh Kumar , Mathur Manas , Bagaria Ashima , Chaudhary Sandeep
Published: December 2018

This study reports the instantaneous synthesis of stable silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at room temperature using a digallate (DG) derivative linked through hydrophilic oxyethylene spacer. The DG derivative was synthesized using standard ester coupling reaction and employed for the production of AgNPs. The Digallate acted as a very strong reducing and stabilizing agent as it reduced Ag ions in an aqueous media into Ag nanoparticles (DG‐AgNPs) instantaneously at room temperature. The DG‐AgNPs were characterized by UV/Vis, XPS, XRD, HR‐TEM, SEM, AFM, DLS and zeta potential measurements and were evaluated for their antibacterial potential against four different strains (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptomyces griseus and Bacillus subtilis). It demonstrated strong inhibitory activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 4.0‐6.0 μg/ml against all the tested bacterial strains. Optical density (OD) measurements and live/dead cell staining assay revealed significant antibacterial action of DG‐AgNPs. The MTT based cytotoxicity, cellular morphology and nuclear staining analysis of NIH 3T3 cells (fibroblasts) suggested DG‐AgNPs to be relatively safe as it did not reveal any growth inhibition for the optimized antibacterial concentrations. Concisely, relatively non‐toxic AgNPs have been produced rapidly at room temperature using dimeric gallate and suggested as effective and promising antibacterial agent for pharmaceutical applications.
Novel SrCo0.9W0.1O3‐δ Hollow Fiber Ceramic Membrane with Enhanced Oxygen Delivery Performance and CO2 Resistance Ability
Authors: Yang Dong , Han Ning , Han Dezhi , Meng Bo , Wang Guangjian , Liu Shaomin
Published: December 2018

The development of the CO2‐resistant mixed ionic‐electronic conducting membranes can significantly expand their application into many CO2 involved processes, such as the oxy‐combustion process and green chemical synthesis in membrane reactors. In this work, the SrCo0.9W0.1O3‐δ (SCW) hollow fiber membranes were fabricated via a combined phase inversion and sintering method. The oxygen permeation flux of 4.18 mL min−1 cm−2 was achieved at 950 °C when pure He was used as sweep gas, while this flux can be further improved by 20.81% after Ag modification of outside membrane surface. Furthermore, the oxygen permeation behavior under CO2 in the sweep gas and surface morphology has been investigated. The oxygen permeation flux experienced a slight decline, then reached a plateau at 2.44 mL min−1 cm−2 during permeation evaluation of 70–100 hours at 900 °C when swept by 10% CO2‐containing gas mixture of 100 mL min−1. More interestingly, the oxygen permeation flux only exhibited 9.44% decrease of the original flux value after switching the sweeping gas back to He, which can be attributed to the formation of the porous layer on the inside surface of membrane. The porous layer would reduce the membrane thickness, meanwhile supply more inside membrane surface area, facilitating the oxygen permeation.
Binding Features of {M(3d)(cbdc)2} Blocks (M(3d)=VIVO, CuII; cbdc2–=Dianion of Cyclobutane‐1,1‐Dicarboxylic Acid) in Formation of Heterometallic Structures with d‐Metal Cations
Authors: Bazhina Evgeniya S. , Gogoleva Natalia V. , Aleksandrov Grigory G. , Kiskin Mikhail A. , Efimov Nikolay N. , Bogomyakov Artem S. , Ugolkova Elena A. , Minin Vadim V. , Sidorov Alexey A. , Eremenko Igor L.
Published: December 2018

Compounds containing bis‐chelate dianionic blocks {M(3d)(cbdc)2}2– (M(3d)=VIVO, CuII) with cations VO2+ and Cu2+ chelated by two anions of dicarboxylic acid have been prepared as crystals when aqueous solutions of vanadyl sulfate VOSO4⋅3H2O or copper sulfate CuSO4⋅5H2O have been allowed to react with sulfates of d‐metals (MnII, CoII, NiII, ZnII, and CdII) and barium salt of cyclobutane‐1,1‐dicarboxylic acid (H2cbdc=C4H6(CO2H)2) in the 1:1:2 ratio. The nature of the M(3d) metal center has been found to influence on the structure of the heterometallic compounds formed. 1D polymers [M(VO)(cbdc)2(EtOH)2(H2O)3]n (M=Mn (1), Co (2), Ni (3)), molecular dinuclear complex [Zn(VO)(cbdc)2(H2O)5]⋅H2O (4), and 1D polymer {[Cd(VO)(cbdc)2(H2O)5]⋅H2O}n (5) are formed when M(3d)=VIVO, whereas in the case of the bis‐chelate block with the CuII atom, ionic compounds [M(H2O)6][Cu(cbdc)2(H2O)] (M=Mn (6), Co (7), Ni (8), Zn (9)) and 2D polymer {[CdCu(cbdc)2(H2O)2]⋅2H2O}n have been synthesized. The isolation of paramagnetic centers in compounds 1–10 is confirmed by magnetic measurements and EPR spectroscopy.
Regulating Lithium Nucleation via CNTs Modifying Carbon Cloth Film for Stable Li Metal Anode
Authors: Liu Fanfan , Xu Rui , Hu Zexun , Ye Shufen , Zeng Sifan , Yao Yu , Li Siqi , Yu Yan
Published: December 2018

Li metal is demonstrated as one of the most promising anode materials for high energy density batteries. However, uncontrollable Li dendrite growth and repeated growth of solid electrolyte interface during the charge/discharge process lead to safety issues and capacity decay, preventing its practical application. To address these issues, an effective strategy is to realize uniform Li nucleation. Here, a stable lithium–scaffold composite electrode (CC/CNT@Li) is designed by melting of lithium metal into 3D interconnected lithiophilic carbon nanotube (CNT) on a porous carbon cloth (CC). The 3D interconnected CNTs successfully change the lithiophobic CC into lithiophilic nature, reducing the polarization of the electrode, ensuring homogenous Li nucleation and continuous smooth Li plating. The CNTs on the surface of CC provide adequate Li nucleation sites and reduce the areal current density to avoid Li dendrite growth. The 3D porous structure of CC/CNT offers enough free room for buffering the huge volume change during Li plating/stripping. The CC/CNT@Li composite anode exhibits dendrite‐free morphology and superior cycling performances over 500 h with low voltage hysteresis of 18, 23, and 71 mV at the current density of 1, 2, and 5 mA cm−2, respectively.
Resonant Energy Transfer can Trigger Multiexciton Recombination in Dense Quantum Dot Ensembles
Authors: Rafipoor Mona , Koll Rieke , Merkl Jan‐Philip , Fruhner Lisa Sarah , Weller Horst , Lange Holger
Published: December 2018

Core/shell quantum dots/quantum rods are nanocrystals with typical application scenarios as ensembles. Resonance energy transfer is a possible process between adjacent nanocrystals. Highly excited nanocrystals can also relax energy by multiexciton recombination, competing against the energy transfer. The two processes have different dependencies and can be convolved, resulting in collective properties different from the superposition of the individual nanocrystals. A platform to study the interplay of energy transfer and multiexciton recombination is presented. CdSe/CdS quantum dot/quantum rods encapsulated in amphiphilic micelles with an interparticle distance control by spacer ligands are used for time‐resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption experiments. At exciton populations around one, the ensemble starts to be in a state where energy transfer can trigger multiexciton Auger recombination, altering the collective dynamics.
Metalloporphyrin Complex‐Based Nanosonosensitizers for Deep‐Tissue Tumor Theranostics by Noninvasive Sonodynamic Therapy
Authors: Ma Aiqing , Chen Huaqing , Cui Yanhong , Luo Zhenyu , Liang Ruijing , Wu Zhihao , Chen Ze , Yin Ting , Ni Jun , Zheng Mingbin , Cai Lintao
Published: December 2018

Metal complexes are widely used as anticancer drugs, while the severe side effects of traditional chemotherapy require new therapeutic modalities. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) provides a significantly noninvasive ultrasound (US) treatment approach by activating sonosensitizers and initiating reactive oxygen species (ROS) to damage malignant tissues. In this work, three metal 4‐methylphenylporphyrin (TTP) complexes (MnTTP, ZnTTP, and TiOTTP) are synthesized and encapsulated with human serum albumin (HSA) to form novel nanosonosensitizers. These nanosonosensitizers generate abundant singlet oxygen (1O2) under US irradiation, and importantly show excellent US‐activatable abilities with deep‐tissue depths up to 11 cm. Compared to ZnTTP‐HSA and TiOTTP‐HSA, MnTTP‐HSA exhibits the strongest ROS‐activatable behavior due to the lowest highest occupied molecular orbital−lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap energy by density functional theory. It is also effective for deep‐tissue photoacoustic/magnetic resonance dual‐modal imaging to trace the accumulation of nanoparticles in tumors. Moreover, MnTTP‐HSA intriguingly achieves high SDT efficiency for simultaneously suppressing the growth of bilateral tumors away from ultrasound source in mice. This work develops a deep‐tissue imaging‐guided SDT strategy through well‐defined metalloporphyrin nanocomplexes and paves a new way for highly efficient noninvasive SDT treatments of malignant tumors.
Sub‐5 nm Metal Nanogaps: Physical Properties, Fabrication Methods, and Device Applications
Authors: Yang Yang , Gu Changzhi , Li Junjie
Published: December 2018

Sub‐5 nm metal nanogaps have attracted widespread attention in physics, chemistry, material sciences, and biology due to their physical properties, including great plasmon‐enhanced effects in light–matter interactions and charge tunneling, Coulomb blockade, and the Kondo effect under an electrical stimulus. These properties especially meet the needs of many cutting‐edge devices, such as sensing, optical, molecular, and electronic devices. However, fabricating sub‐5 nm nanogaps is still challenging at the present, and scaled and reliable fabrication, improved addressability, and multifunction integration are desired for further applications in commercial devices. The aim of this work is to provide a comprehensive overview of sub‐5 nm nanogaps and to present recent advancements in metal nanogaps, including their physical properties, fabrication methods, and device applications, with the ultimate aim to further inspire scientists and engineers in their research.
Optoregulated Drug Release from an Engineered Living Material: Self‐Replenishing Drug Depots for Long‐Term, Light‐Regulated Delivery
Authors: Sankaran Shrikrishnan , Becker Judith , Wittmann Christoph , del Campo Aránzazu
Published: December 2018

On‐demand and long‐term delivery of drugs are common requirements in many therapeutic applications, not easy to be solved with available smart polymers for drug encapsulation. This work presents a fundamentally different concept to address such scenarios using a self‐replenishing and optogenetically controlled living material. It consists of a hydrogel containing an active endotoxin‐free Escherichia coli strain. The bacteria are metabolically and optogenetically engineered to secrete the antimicrobial and antitumoral drug deoxyviolacein in a light‐regulated manner. The permeable hydrogel matrix sustains a viable and functional bacterial population and permits diffusion and delivery of the synthesized drug to the surrounding medium at quantities regulated by light dose. Using a focused light beam, the site for synthesis and delivery of the drug can be freely defined. The living material is shown to maintain considerable levels of drug production and release for at least 42 days. These results prove the potential and flexibility that living materials containing engineered bacteria can offer for advanced therapeutic applications.
A Big Data and machine learning approach for network monitoring and security
Authors: Maccari Leonardo , Passerini Andrea
Published: December 2018

In the last decade the performances of 802.11 (Wi‐Fi) devices skyrocketed. Today it is possible to realize gigabit wireless links spanning across kilometers at a fraction of the cost of the wired equivalent. In the same period, mesh network evolved from being experimental tools confined into university labs, to systems running in several real world scenarios. Mesh networks can now provide city‐wide coverage and can compete on the market of Internet access. Yet, being wireless distributed networks, mesh networks are still hard to maintain and monitor. This paper explains how today we can perform monitoring, anomaly detection and root cause analysis in mesh networks using Big Data techniques. It first describes the architecture of a modern mesh network, it justifies the use of Big Data techniques and provides a design for the storage and analysis of Big Data produced by a large‐scale mesh network. While proposing a generic infrastructure, we focus on its application in the security domain.
Experimental Investigations and Multiscale Modeling to Study the Effect of Sulfur Content on Formability of 16MnCr5 Alloy Steel
Authors: Qayyum Faisal , Guk Sergey , Kawalla Rudolf , Prahl Ulrich
Published: December 2018

Addition of Sulfur to iron alloys improves the machinability of the components but reduces the formability. In this research, effect of varying Sulfur content from 0.008% to 0.03% in 16MnCr5 alloy steel on the formability of this steel grade by employing different formability tests is carried out. Tensile testing, transverse extrusion testing, expansion testing, and compression testing of normalized and non‐normalized samples is carried out to investigate the deformation behavior. Numerical simulation model is developed on commercial FEM software ABAQUS using realistic material data and load history to get information about the distribution and evolution of strains and stresses in the samples for different formability test conditions. The ABAQUS Simulations results are compared with experimental observations and are found to be in agreement with less than 7% error. The maximum local strain distribution of the transverse extrusion test is used as a boundary condition to simulate the phase field DAMASK numerical simulation model in this research. Through these phase field simulations, the interplay of MnS inclusions with Ferrite, Pearlite phases at strains just before failure are analyzed. The study provides a detailed insight into the factors responsible for difference in formability of 16MnCr5 alloy steel due to varying Sulfur content.
Angular Re‐Positioning of a Five Ported SEN versus EMS Braking to Stabilize Flows at the Upper Slag‐Liquid Steel Interface
Authors: Aboutalebi M. Mahdi , Labrecque Chantale , D'amours Julien , Isac Mihaiela , Guthrie Roderick I.L.
Published: December 2018

The control of fluid flows within the mold region of continuous casters is a key factor in improving the quality of cast products. The performance of two different flow modifiers in the curved mold region of a typical square billet caster are compared. The flow modifiers investigated in this work are a 5‐ported Submerged Entry Nozzle (SEN) and a Brake‐Electromagnetic Stirring (Brake‐EMS) unit, interacting with a Main‐EMS. Two different commercial software programs, ANSYS Fluent and COMSOL, are used to develop a numerical Magneto‐Hydro‐Dynamic (MHD) model of this system, in order to study the efficiency of the selected flow modifiers. According to the simulated results, the dual‐EMS unit (Brake‐EMS together with Main‐EMS), intensifies the swirling flows in the mid‐region of the mold, but cannot decrease the intensive vertical upward flows that are being generated toward the meniscus corners. The proposed radial angulation of the SEN's exit ports, working in tandem with the Main‐EMS, not only develops swirling flows at the mid‐section of the mold, but also transforms the vertical upward flows to a horizontally rotating flow near to the upper surface of the caster. This slight modification calmed flows at the liquid steel meniscus, thereby reducing mold powder entrainment (MPE).
The social media life of climate change: Platforms, publics, and future imaginaries
Authors: Pearce Warren , Niederer Sabine , Özkula Suay Melisa , Sánchez Querubín Natalia
Published: December 2018

Social media is a transformative digital technology, collapsing the “six degrees of separation” which have previously characterized many social networks, and breaking down many of the barriers to individuals communicating with each other. Some commentators suggest that this is having profound effects across society, that social media have opened up new channels for public debates and have revolutionized the communication of prominent public issues such as climate change. In this article we provide the first systematic and critical review of the literature on social media and climate change. We highlight three key findings from the literature: a substantial bias toward Twitter studies, the prevalent approaches to researching climate change on social media (publics, themes, and professional communication), and important empirical findings (the use of mainstream information sources, discussions of “settled science,” polarization, and responses to temperature anomalies). Following this, we identify gaps in the existing literature that should be addressed by future research: namely, researchers should consider qualitative studies, visual communication and alternative social media platforms to Twitter. We conclude by arguing for further research that goes beyond a focus on science communication to a deeper examination of how publics imagine climate change and its future role in social life.

This article is categorized under:

Perceptions, Behavior, and Communication of Climate Change > Communication
Simple identification of Al2O3 and MgO·Al2O3 spinel inclusions in steel using X‐ray‐excited optical luminescence
Authors: Imashuku Susumu , Wagatsuma Kazuaki
Published: December 2018

Nonmetallic inclusions in steel cause problems in steel products and steel production. In particular, an analysis of Al2O3 and MgO·Al2O3 spinel inclusions is important since they are one of the most harmful inclusions. A rapid and simple analysis of nonmetallic inclusions is required as the conventional analytical methods for nonmetallic inclusions are time‐consuming. In this study, we propose a simple method to identify Al2O3 and MgO·Al2O3 spinel inclusions in steels. X‐ray‐excited optical luminescence (XEOL) analysis was selected as a promising method because it can rapidly identify sizes, shapes, and compositions of nonmetallic inclusions and can be performed in air. A model steel sample prepared by heating a mixture of Fe, Al, and MgO powders at 1550°C in argon atmosphere was used. XEOL images of the model steel sample showed that Al2O3 inclusions emitted blue and red luminescences. Using a filter attached to the camera, blocking light in the wavelength region above 650 nm, only the blue luminescence of the Al2O3 inclusions was observed. This was implemented as the luminescences of the Al2O3 inclusions appeared in both blue and red regions at wavelengths of 350, 485, 695, and 750 nm; consequently, the luminescences at 695 nm and 750 nm were blocked by the filter. In contrast, MgO·Al2O3 spinel inclusions emitted green luminescence (peak at 520 nm), unaffected by the filter. This indicates that we can simply identify Al2O3 and MgO·Al2O3 spinel inclusions by an XEOL image in the wavelength range of 420–650 nm.
Application of artificial neural networks to X‐ray fluorescence spectrum analysis
Authors: Li Fei , Gu Zhixing , Ge Liangquan , Sun Di , Deng Xutao , Wang Shun , Hu Bo , Xu Jingru
Published: December 2018

X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) is widely applied as a mature nondestructive testing method, and appropriate improvement of quantitative analysis methods can improve the accuracy of XRF. Artificial neural network is an intelligent information processing system, its developments and application in XRF are reviewed, and representative models (back propagation, radial basis function, genetic algorithm artificial neural network, and others) are discussed in more details in overfitting, generalization, and algorithm efficiency. Potential directions of developing artificial neural network applied in XRF are proposed in this review as a further study.
Valence‐to‐core X‐ray emission spectroscopy of Ti, TiO, and TiO2 by means of a double full‐cylinder crystal von Hamos spectrometer
Authors: Wansleben Malte , Vinson John , Holfelder Ina , Kayser Yves , Beckhoff Burkhard
Published: December 2018

We present valence‐to‐core X‐ray emission spectroscopy of Ti, TiO, and TiO2 by means of a double crystal von Hamos spectrometer based on full‐cylinder highly annealed pyrolytic graphite mosaic crystals. We demonstrate that, using a double crystal configuration, an energy resolution of E/ΔE ≈ 2,700 can be achieved in a compact setup using cylindrically curved optics with a radius of curvature of 50 mm. The stated energy resolution proved to be high enough to identify and determine chemical shifts of the Kβ2,5 and Kβ″ emission lines of both oxides. The experimental results are supported by calculations with the ab initio package OCEAN and compared with literature values.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of Pentanitrobenzene C6H(NO2)5
Authors: Huber Tanja , von der Heide Chantal , Klapötke Thomas M. , Krumm Burkhard
Published: December 2018

The synthesis of the polynitroaromatic compound pentanitrobenzene was re‐examined by modern spectroscopic, structural and physicochemical methods. Originally prepared in 1979, this material could exhibit interesting properties as an oxygen‐rich energetic building block. The energies of formation were calculated with the GAUSSIAN program package and the detonation parameters were predicted using the EXPLO5 computer code. The performance data were determined and compared to the common oxidizer ammonium perchlorate. The crystal structure of pentanitrobenzene was determined by X‐ray crystallography, and those of 2,3,4,6‐tetranitroaniline and styphnic acid (trinitroresorcinol) were re‐determined.
Correlations Between Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Dynamical Mechanical Analysis (DMA) for Assessment of Aging Effect on Plastic Bonded Explosives (PBX)
Authors: Ahmadi Seyyed Hamid , Keshavarz Mohammad Hossein , Atabak Hamid Reza Hafizi
Published: December 2018

Plastic Bonded Explosives (PBXs) are explosive materials, in which sensitive explosive powders with high detonation performance are bound together in a matrix using small quantities of a synthetic polymer. They provide good thermal stability and improve cook‐off properties with negligible shrinkage. Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been introduced as a novel method for assessment of thermal aging in PBXs. Thermal aging of fifteen samples of PBXs with the same composition has been studied in two temperatures 60 and 70 °C for 5 period times during 29 d. Dynamical mechanical analysis (DMA) has also been done on different aged samples in order to validate the LIBS results. Among different molecular bands, LIBS data showed that the changes in line intensity in CN and AlO molecular radiations could be used to assess aging effects. Principle component analysis (PCA) chemometric method was also implemented in order to obtain more accurate discrimination between different samples. Since there is a good agreement for the outputs of LIBS data and DMA results, LIBS technique can be introduced a reliable method for assessment of thermal aging of PBXs.
Pharmaceutical Development of AAV-Based Gene Therapy Products for the Eye
Authors: Rodrigues Gerard A. , Shalaev Evgenyi , Karami Thomas K. , Cunningham James , Slater Nigel K. H. , Rivers Hongwen M.
Published: December 2018

A resurgence of interest and investment in the field of gene therapy, driven in large part by advances in viral vector technology, has recently culminated in United States Food and Drug Administration approval of the first gene therapy product targeting a disease caused by mutations in a single gene. This product, LUXTURNA™ (voretigene neparvovec-rzyl; Spark Therapeutics, Inc., Philadelphia, PA), delivers a normal copy of the RPE65 gene to retinal cells for the treatment of biallelic RPE65 mutation–associated retinal dystrophy, a blinding disease. Many additional gene therapy programs targeting both inherited retinal diseases and other ocular diseases are in development, owing to an improved understanding of the genetic basis of ocular disease and the unique properties of the ocular compartment that make it amenable to local gene therapy. Here we review the growing body of literature that describes both the design and development of ocular gene therapy products, with a particular emphasis on target and vector selection, and chemistry, manufacturing, and controls.
Is Weak Supplementation analytic?
Authors: Cotnoir A. J.
Published: December 2018

Mereological principles are often controversial; perhaps the most stark contrast is between those who claim that Weak Supplementation is analytic—constitutive of our notion of proper parthood—and those who argue that the principle is simply false, and subject to many counterexamples. The aim of this paper is to diagnose the source of this dispute. I’ll suggest that the dispute has arisen by participants failing to be sensitive to two different conceptions of proper parthood: the outstripping conception and the non-identity conception. I’ll argue that the outstripping conception (together with a specific set of definitions for other mereological notions), can deliver the analyticity of Weak Supplementation on at least one sense of ‘analyticity’. I’ll also suggest that the non-identity conception cannot do so independently of considerations to do with mereological extensionality.
On-demand assessment of air traffic impact of blocking airspace
Authors: Srivastava A. , Clair T. St. , Pan G.
Published: December 2018

The Federal Aviation Administration often blocks strategically located airspace volumes to ensure safety during a variety of operations that are potentially hazardous to aircraft, such as space launches. As the frequency of these operations increases, there is a growing need to deepen collaboration and transparency between stakeholders regarding the use of airspace. This collaboration can be supported by models and capabilities to quickly assess the impact of airspace closures, up to 12 months into the future. This paper presents a technique to enable a ‘what-if’ analysis capability coupled with a prediction model, whereby changes in airspace dimension, location, and activation time are reflected instantaneously as measures of projected impact. The technique can also be used for quick post-operations analysis using historical traffic data and to develop air traffic impact assessment capabilities accessible to a broad range of users outside of the air traffic domain. This research has three key components: developing a model to predict air traffic demand up to 12 months into the future, modelling air traffic impact to the affected traffic, and reducing this information into a data structure that can support on-demand analysis. The focus of this paper is on new techniques to predict demand using a large set of historical track data and further encode these projections to support the quick assessment of the impact of blocking various airspace volumes. Initial results show that the proposed data reduction scheme accurately represented the traffic crossing an airspace and resulted in data size reduction by over 50%. The projection model performed well, the actual number of impacted flights were within the estimated range of approximately 80% of the time. Finally, the responsiveness of the web-based prototype developed to illustrate the concept demonstrated the model’s ability to support an on-demand assessment of the air traffic impact of blocking airspace. A significant limitation of the projection model is that it is based on the historical traffic pattern within the U.S. airspace; separate analysis is needed to adapt it to other geographical location.
Relativization of sensitivity in minimal systems
Authors: YU TAO , ZHOU XIAOMIN
Published: December 2018

Let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}:(X,T)\rightarrow (Y,S)$ be an extension between minimal systems; we consider its relative sensitivity. We obtain that $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$ is relatively $n$-sensitive if and only if the relative $n$-regionally proximal relation contains a point whose coordinates are distinct; and the structure of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$ which is relatively $n$-sensitive but not relatively $(n+1)$-sensitive is determined. Let ${\mathcal{F}}_{t}$ be the families consisting of thick sets. We introduce notions of relative block ${\mathcal{F}}_{t}$-sensitivity and relatively strong ${\mathcal{F}}_{t}$-sensitivity. Let $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}:(X,T)\rightarrow (Y,S)$ be an extension between minimal systems. Then the following Auslander–Yorke type dichotomy theorems are obtained: (1) $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$ is either relatively block ${\mathcal{F}}_{t}$-sensitive or $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}:(X,T)\rightarrow (X_{\text{eq}}^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}},T_{\text{eq}})$ is a proximal extension where $(X_{\text{eq}}^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}},T_{\text{eq}})\rightarrow (Y,S)$ is the maximal equicontinuous factor of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$. (2) $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$ is either relatively strongly ${\mathcal{F}}_{t}$-sensitive or $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}:(X,T)\rightarrow (X_{d}^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}},T_{d})$ is a proximal extension where $(X_{d}^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}},T_{d})\rightarrow (Y,S)$ is the maximal distal factor of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D70B}$.
Adapting to Peacetime Politics? Rebranding and Ideological Change in Former Rebel Parties
Authors: Sindre Gyda M.
Published: December 2018

How do rebel groups turned political parties adapt their ideological profiles after war? Do they continue to mobilize along the main conflict cleavage or do they adopt new issues that are conducive to peace? This article develops an analytical framework that captures the extent to which parties adapt along two dimensions: conflict cleavage issues and peacebuilding issues. It conducts a qualitative content analysis of party manifestos and related discourse of three former rebel parties with backgrounds as secessionist rebel groups: the Aceh Party, the Serb Democratic Party (Bosnia Herzegovina) and the Tamil National Alliance. It finds that while some parties adopt the language of peace settlements to legitimize themselves and actively downplay wartime divisions, others continue to seek support based on ethnic differentiation. It is argued that the programmatic message that former rebel groups mobilize around has implications for how they contribute to forging more peaceful inter-ethnic relations after war.
Reflection of intense laser light from microstructured targets as a potential diagnostic of laser focus and plasma temperature
Authors: Jarrett J. , King M. , Gray R. J. , Neumann N. , Döhl L. , Baird C. D. , Ebert T. , Hesse M. , Tebartz A. , Rusby D. R. , Woolsey N. C. , Neely D. , Roth M. , McKenna P.
Published: December 2018

The spatial-intensity profile of light reflected during the interaction of an intense laser pulse with a microstructured target is investigated experimentally and the potential to apply this as a diagnostic of the interaction physics is explored numerically. Diffraction and speckle patterns are measured in the specularly reflected light in the cases of targets with regular groove and needle-like structures, respectively, highlighting the potential to use this as a diagnostic of the evolving plasma surface. It is shown, via ray-tracing and numerical modelling, that for a laser focal spot diameter smaller than the periodicity of the target structure, the reflected light patterns can potentially be used to diagnose the degree of plasma expansion, and by extension the local plasma temperature, at the focus of the intense laser light. The reflected patterns could also be used to diagnose the size of the laser focal spot during a high-intensity interaction when using a regular structure with known spacing.
A metallo-beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae outbreak from a contaminated tea dispenser at a children’s hospital in Japan
Authors: Ito Kenta , Honda Hitoshi , Yoshida Makiko , Aoki Kotaro , Ishii Yoshikazu , Miyokawa Shigeko , Horikoshi Yuho
Published: December 2018

An outbreak of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) producingKlebsiella pneumoniaeoccurred at a children’s hospital in Japan. MBL-producingK. pneumoniaewas detected in tea dispenser in the hospital, the use of which was associated with the acquisition of the MBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The outbreak ceased after use of the tea dispenser was banned.
A ‘disorderly tumultuous way of serving God’: prayer and order in Ireland’s church and state, 1660–89
Authors: Sawyer Kathryn Rose
Published: December 2018

This article examines the Church of Ireland’s relationship with Scots Presbyterians after the Restoration, focusing on the churchmen’s regular complaints against the ‘disorderly’ practices of the Presbyterian communities in Ireland. The established church leaders spoke of the threat of political and social disorder from the Presbyterians, and they repeatedly targeted the spontaneousex temporeprayer and preaching practised by Scottish ministers in order to illustrate their concerns. This article uncovers the theological roots of these apparently civic complaints to explain their ubiquity and vehemence. It argues that the churchmen feared that such uncontrolled, unscripted prayer could lead to blasphemy and provoke the wrath of God on the nation, thereby triggering war and unrest such as they had experienced in the preceding decades. In their view, there was little difference between holding to an improperly ordered church hierarchy and worship practice, and forcing this disorder on the state. By illustrating the links between theology, ecclesiology and the potential for political sedition as they were understood by Restoration churchmen, this article demonstrates the importance of theological nuance for clarifying the complex relationship between Ireland’s two largest Protestant denominations in the seventeenth century.