bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Memory Decline and Depression Onset in U.S. and European Older Adults
Authors: Bendayan Rebecca , Kelly Amanda , Hofer Scott M. , Piccinin Andrea M. , Muniz-Terrera Graciela
Published: November 2018

Objectives: We explore the association between different patterns of change in depressive symptoms and memory trajectories in US and European Mediterranean (Spain, France, Italy, and Israel) and non-Mediterranean (Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria) older adults. Methods: Samples consisted of 3,466 participants from the Health Retirement Study (HRS) and 3,940 participants from the Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement (SHARE). Individuals were grouped as follows: non-case depression (NO DEP), persistent depression (DEP), depression onset (ONSET), depression recovery (RECOV), and fluctuating (FLUCT). Memory was measured using immediate and delayed recall tests. Linear mixed models were used. Results: DEP and RECOV had significantly lower baseline memory scores compared to NO DEP, at intercept level. At slope level, ONSET had a significantly faster decline in both tasks compared to NO DEP. Discussion: Cross-cohort robust and consistent new empirical evidence on the association between depression onset and faster decline in memory scores is provided.
An accuracy analysis method for first-order reliability method
Authors: Chen Zhenzhong , Wu Zihao , Li Xiaoke , Chen Ge , Chen Guangfeng , Gao Liang , Qiu Haobo
Published: November 2018

The first-order reliability method is widely used for structural reliability analysis; however, its accuracy would become worse for nonlinear problems. This paper proposes the accuracy analysis method of the first-order reliability method, which considers the worst cases when using the first-order reliability method and gives the possible value range of the probability of safety. The accuracy analysis method can evaluate the reliability level of the first-order reliability method when the failure surfaces are nonlinear. The calculation formula for the possible value range of the probability of safety is proposed, and its trend as the dimensions and reliability rise is also discussed in this paper. A numerical example and a honeycomb crashworthiness design are presented to validate the accuracy of the first-order reliability method, and the results show that they are located within the possible value range proposed in this paper.
Bending fatigue behaviour and microstructure in welded high-strength bolt structures
Authors: Oh Gyoko , Akiniwa Yoshiaki
Published: November 2018

Welded high-strength bolts are recently being applied to automobile part fixations, and it is important to clarify their fatigue behaviours and to carry out the fatigue strength designs for preventing fatigue failures. Using the spot and full-circled welded bracket samples in four kinds of weld shapes, bending fatigue strength properties of welded high-strength bolt structures were examined. Factors affecting fatigue to failure, such as weld bead shapes and metal structures, were identified through local stress measurements with strain gauges and X-ray diffractions, microscope observations and chemical composition analyses, as well as stress concentrations of finite element method computational simulation. Differences of bending fatigue strengths at 2 × 105 cycles in welded bolt structure samples when based on nominal stress are 15% to 60% compared with the bolt itself. Fatigue strengths corresponded to four kinds of fracture modes and did not decline greatly in the full-circled welded structure. The spot P sample, in which the connecting line between the two centres of the weld beads was perpendicular to the load direction, has higher strength due to the crack initiating from the weld zone of the gap between the plate and the bolt flange which has hard mixed phases of ferrite + martensite + bainite with high fatigue resistance, and its strength divided by weld length does not deteriorate. The strengths and fracture modes were analysed from the viewpoints of the shape effect relating to the stress concentration and residual stress and the material effect relating to the microstructure of the weld as well.
High-efficiency gear hobbing technics based on fuzzy adaptive control of spindle torque
Authors: Liu Xing , Zhao Fei , Mei Xuesong , Tao Tao , Shen Jianguang
Published: November 2018

In this paper, the problem of relatively low efficiency of the current gear hobbing process is addressed through fuzzy adaptive control of the cutting force. The paper studies the influencing factors of the cutting torque of gear hobbing, and the relationship between the feed rate and the cutting torque is established. Based on the relationship and the fuzzy adaptive control method, a high efficiency gear hobbing method is designed. A methodology using the static spindle torque rather than the dynamic one as the feedback signal of the fuzzy controller is also presented, which can deal with the severe cutting torque fluctuations during gear hobbing. The input and the output scaling factors of the fuzzy controller can also be tuned online to adapt to different types of gears or various cutting conditions. The key issue of determining the reference value of the spindle torque is also resolved through analysis of the spindle torque data in a trial cut. The proposed method is simulated and implemented on a numerical control gear hobbing machine, which cuts spur gears and helical gears. The simulation and experimental results are in a good consistency. The efficiency is improved considerably, which saves as high as 40% and 30% cutting time of the gear hobbing process in the first and second set of experiments, respectively.
Managing Faculty in Transnational Higher Education: Expatriate Academics at International Branch Campuses
Authors: Wilkins Stephen , Neri Selina
Published: November 2018

The purpose of this research is to identify the challenges and issues associated with managing expatriate academics at international branch campuses, and to analyze the strategies that have been, or could be, implemented to overcome these challenges and issues. The data used in this study came from an online survey questionnaire that was completed by 14 individuals holding a senior or middle management position at an international branch campus. The survey participants unanimously reported that expatriate academics tend to be highly motivated and committed, and that they are largely satisfied with their jobs. However, many individuals do have issues with adjustment to the new country, to work differences, and to interacting with others. The participants offered a range of suggestions and recommendations that may help institutions to better support expatriate academics employed at international branch campuses. The suggested actions need to be implemented prior to the new recruit’s arrival in the host country, during the induction period, and on an ongoing basis.
Use of the Worklife and Levels of Burnout Surveys to Assess the School Nurse Work Environment
Authors: Jameson Beth E. , Bowen Felesia
Published: November 2018

Previous research regarding burnout in acute care settings revealed that positive work environments increase job satisfaction, decrease staff turnover, and improve patient outcomes. However, few studies address burnout among school nurses. The purpose of this study was to describe the relationship between the school nurse practice environment, school nurses’ levels of burnout, and perceived sources of work stress. A cross-sectional sample of 100 registered nurses completed a web-based version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Areas of Worklife Survey. Identified stressors were entered into regression models to determine associations with levels of burnout. Burnout is significantly associated with all Areas of Worklife subscales. School nurses who reported satisfactory work environments experienced little to no burnout. This study provides insights into the domains of work that can cause burnout among school nurses and provides evidence that can inform school leadership and policy makers on ways to promote healthy work environments.
Results of Peroneal Tendoscopy With a Technical Modification
Authors: Urguden Mustafa , Gulten Ismail Ayder , Civan Osman , Bilbasar Hakan , Kaptan Cagri , Cavit Ali
Published: November 2018

Background:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of tendoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of peroneal tendon (PT) pathologies, and to evaluate the results of our technical modification.

Methods:

Twenty ankles of 18 patients with retrofibular pain, operated on between 2006 and 2012, were included in this study. Peroneal tendoscopy was performed diagnostically for the patients who were diagnosed as having “peroneal tendinopathy” with physical examination, x-ray, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After being diagnosed by peroneal tendoscopy, patients were definitively treated with either tendoscopy or open surgery.

Results:

Thirteen of 20 ankles had accompanying ankle pathology with PT pathology, and the other 7 ankles had no concomitant pathology. We detected peroneal tenosynovitis (PTS) in 13 patients, PT tear in 7 patients, and vincula thickening in 1 patient. The American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was 76 preoperatively, and after 2 years’ follow-up the AOFAS score was 96.

Conclusion:

Tendoscopy is a useful method for the diagnosis and treatment of PT pathologies. The patients with clinical suspicion of PT pathology were treated or diagnosed by peroneal tendoscopy with our technical modification.

Level of Evidence:

Level IV, retrospective case series.
Boundaries of optimally designed elastoplastic structures
Authors: Grachev VA , Neustadt YuS
Published: November 2018

This study investigates the boundaries of optimally designed elastoplastic bodies. It reviews the problem of the optimum shape selection of a closed surface when the limit load factor is known. The case wherein the limit load factor for feasible bodies is quite large while the acceptable holes in the plate are not too small is presented. The assumption is that under these conditions, the optimum structure is a Maxwell or Michell beam system. It is shown that the Michell structure cannot have large internal holes; however, the Maxwell beam system can include significant holes. Sufficient conditions are presented when the holes can be designed for a solid plate of optimum weight. The results can be spread over three-dimensional elastoplastic structures.
Car body vertical vibration analysis under track medium wave irregularity and the influence factors of ballast bed
Authors: Qi Falin , Lei Yang , Deng Pu , Huang Qidi
Published: November 2018

A vehicle-track rigid flexible coupling-dynamic model is established. The first five vertical vibration natural frequencies of system are solved. The medium wave track irregularities are taken as the excitation. The car body vertical harmonic response vibration characteristics are analyzed. It could be concluded that the second-order natural frequency is the sensitive response frequency. The car body vertical vibration simulation calculation is analyzed under vertical medium-wave track irregularity with influence factors of ballast bed, including the ballast bed vibration mass, ballast-subgrade linear and nonlinear stiffness. Through a large number of simulation analysis and Da Cheng railway test verification, it is observed that when the ballast bed thickness is between 0.35 m and 0.65 m, the amplitude of car body vertical vibration acceleration is maximum, and the stronger the bed thickness suddenly changes, the greater the acceleration of vibration increases. When the ballast bed thickness is not enough, the car body vertical vibration acceleration increases obviously. The physical correlation between two tests is established for the first time through the correctness of car body vertical acceleration data of track inspection that is verified by ground penetrating radar ballast detection.
Resources to Reduce Underage Drinking Risks and Associated Harms: Social Ecological Perspectives
Authors: Stellefson Michael , Barry Adam E. , Stewart Margaret , Paige Samantha R. , Apperson Avery , Garris Ethan , Russell Alex
Published: November 2018

Underage college student alcohol consumption results in adverse consequences for students, colleges, and communities. Unfortunately, college health practitioners have invested time and effort implementing interventions that either fail to account for the complexity of this public health problem or are not evidence-based. Consequently, in September 2015, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism published CollegeAIM, which was developed to support higher education administrators and campus health/wellness professionals in selecting appropriate interventions for reducing harmful and underage drinking. CollegeAIM is a user-friendly, matrix-based tool that evaluates and synthesizes the peer-reviewed literature associated with nearly 60 campus and community interventions. This review uses the social ecological model to highlight individual- and environmental-level strategies evaluated in CollegeAIM matrices and is intended to be a tool in determining how best to implement resources to reduce college student alcohol use and associated harms. While CollegeAIM outlines strategies to be implemented among currently enrolled college students, it is important to note drinking behaviors for some students are established prior to entering college. Thus, interventions prior to enrolling in higher education are needed. As a resource for parents and for practitioners to use and share, the “Talk. They Hear You.” mobile health (mHealth) app is also discussed and recommended.
Use of wavelet analysis for an objective evaluation of the formation of pills in nonwoven fabrics
Authors: Wang Dandan , Barber JR , Lu W , Thouless MD
Published: November 2018

A quantitative technique to measure pill formation on fabrics has been developed using a wavelet analysis. This technique permits the damage of fabrics to be evaluated with a minimum of human interpretation. A two-dimensional, discrete-wavelet transform was applied to images of nonwoven fabrics, and an optimal approach was found by which the background information could be eliminated from the digital data to obtain characteristic information about the pills. This information, corresponding to the degree of damage, is expressed in terms of a gray-value ratio that is extracted from the details of the wavelet characterization. It has been shown that the resultant parameter correlates well with an independent, qualitative assessment of damage.
Aortic Thrombosis in a Patient With Malignant Disease: A Literature Review and Case Presentation
Authors: Arima Takahiro , Muroya Ken , Kawamoto Ken , Koba Yuji , Omura Takashi
Published: November 2018

Introduction:

Aortic mural thrombosis associated with a malignant disease is rare, and whether anticoagulation therapy or surgical treatment is the more definitive primary treatment remains uncertain. This study aims to determine the best treatment strategy for aortic thrombosis in a patient with a malignant disease.

Methods:

We reviewed medical literature using the PubMed database and present a case of aortic thrombosis due to a hypercoagulable state related to sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma.

Results:

Of the 18 patients from 14 articles included in this study, 13 received simple anticoagulation as a primary treatment (anticoagulation group), while 5 underwent surgical treatment (surgical treatment group). Recurrence or exacerbation of embolism was found in 2 (15.4%) of the 13 patients and in 1 (20.0%) of the 5 patients ( P = 1.0). Major complications were observed in 1 (7.7%) of the patients in the anticoagulation group and in 1 (20.0%) of the 5 patients in the surgical treatment group ( P = .49). No significant differences between the groups were found.

Conclusions:

A simple anticoagulation therapy may be as effective as surgical treatment in patients with aortic thrombosis associated with malignancy.
Route optimizing and following for autonomous underwater vehicle ladder surveys
Authors: Jiang Yanqing , Li Ye , Su Yumin , Zhou Ziye , Ma Teng , An Li , He Jiayu
Published: November 2018

An autonomous underwater vehicle is able to conduct coverage detections, such as sea terrain mapping and submerged objects detection, using sonar. This work addresses the task of both optimizing and following routes that present a ladder shape. First, a planning method to determine a nearly optimal coverage route is designed. The track spacing is optimized considering the seabed type and the sonar range for the purpose of increasing detection probability. It also adds adaptability to confined water, such as harbors, by decomposing the geometrically concave mission region during the processing of the environmental data. Next, a decoupled and two-layered structure is adopted to design the following controller. The route is followed in the form of sequenced-lines tracking. A proportion–integral–derivative algorithm with fuzzy parameters adjustment is employed to calculate a reference heading angle according to the transverse position deviation in designing the guidance controller. An adaptive nonlinear S-surface law is adopted to design the yaw control. The route following the method is demonstrated with sonar (including side scanning sonar and multi-beam echo sounder) imagery collected in terrain mapping and object detection through sea trials.
The efficiency improvement of port state control based on ship accident Bayesian networks
Authors: Fan Lixian , Zhang Zimeng , Yin Jingbo , Wang Xingyuan
Published: November 2018

Ship accident has always been the focus in shipping and it is concerned by port state authorities. This study tries to investigate the impact of various factors on ship accident along with the port state’s detected deficiency items. Very importantly, it manages to identify the structural connections between the checked deficiency items. The data used in this study are mainly from Lloyd’s register of shipping, International Maritime Organization and Tokyo Memorandum of Understanding, with a total of 64,847 observations obtained. The Bayesian network model is employed and the Greedy thick thinning and Bayesian search algorithms are used to learn the structural networks. In addition to the impacts of the deficiency items and the ship inherent attributes on ship accidents, this study identifies some key deficiency items for port states. It also analyzes the intense connections between the key deficiency items with others. This helps simplify the port state’s inspection procedure and improve operational efficiency.
Assessing the effectiveness of the EU AML regime: Detecting and investigating cases of trafficking in human beings
Authors: Sveinsdóttir Þorbjörg
Published: November 2018

The effectiveness of anti-money-laundering (AML) mechanisms within the European Union (EU), in the context of the detection and investigation of trafficking in human beings (THB), is the focal point of this article. The article begins by examining the EU’s emphasis on proactive financial investigations in cases of THB and then moves on to examine EU AML framework. Special attention is paid to the 4th AML Directive (Directive (EU) 2015/849), the Second Transfer of Funds Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2015/847), the Second Payment Services Directive (Directive (EU) 2015/2366) and the Cash Control Regulation (Regulation (EC) 1889/2005). The modus operandi of traffickers operating within the EU when laundering the proceeds of their crimes is then studied, with the view of assessing the effectiveness of the framework. The analysis shows that the EU AML framework fails to capture some common modes of money laundering (ML) in THB cases and in addition, it is less effective when the criminal proceeds are laundered within the EU. The analysis furthermore shows that the EU AML regime is largely dependent on the ML risk assessment of private actors, many who do not comply with their AML obligations and are widely insufficiently monitored within the Member States (MS). The article concludes that the limitations of the EU AML framework and it’s enforcement in the MS have resulted in difficulties both in detecting ML associated with THB and in gathering evidence during THB investigations.
Imaging of combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma in cirrhosis and risk of false diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Sagrini Elisabetta , Iavarone Massimo , Stefanini Federico , Tovoli Francesco , Vavassori Sara , Maggioni Marco , Renzulli Matteo , Salvatore Veronica , Stefanescu Horia , Colombo Massimo , Bolondi Luigi , Piscaglia Fabio
Published: November 2018

Background

Diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma can be achieved by imaging in cirrhotic patients. Combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma is a primary liver tumor and its imaging patterns have been poorly investigated. Misdiagnosis for either hepatocellular carcinoma or benign lesions can occur. We aimed to evaluate the enhancement pattern of combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma in cirrhosis with imaging techniques and to estimate the risk of misdiagnosis for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods

All histology‐confirmed combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma in cirrhosis seen in two Italian centers between 2003 and 2016, in which at least one imaging technique had been performed, was retrospectively collected. The enhancement pattern was analyzed for all available imaging modalities.

Results

A total of 37 combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma nodules were identified. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging had been performed in 27, 34, and 17 nodules, respectively. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound was at higher risk of misdiagnosis for pure hepatocellular carcinoma than computed tomography (p = 0.005) or magnetic resonance imaging (p = 0.040). Only six of 24 combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma lesions submitted to both contrast‐enhanced ultrasound and computed tomography showed coincident patterns; contrast‐enhanced ultrasound correctly suggested a condition of malignancy in a higher number of cases than computed tomography (p < 0.001) and magnetic resonance imaging (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound misdiagnosed a higher number of combined hepatocellular‐cholangiocarcinoma as hepatocellular carcinoma than computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. However, the latter techniques were able to identify features of malignancy less often.
High Fidelity Microsurgical Simulation: The Thiel Model and Evaluation Instrument
Authors: Odobescu Andrei , Goodwin Isak , Berbiche Djamal , BouMerhi Joseph , Harris Patrick G. , Danino Michel A.
Published: November 2018

Background:

The Thiel embalmment method has recently been used in a number of medical simulation fields. The authors investigate the use of Thiel vessels as a high fidelity model for microvascular simulation and propose a new checklist-based evaluation instrument for microsurgical training.

Methods:

Thirteen residents and 2 attending microsurgeons performed video recorded microvascular anastomoses on Thiel embalmed arteries that were evaluated using a new evaluation instrument (Microvascular Evaluation Scale) by 4 fellowship trained microsurgeons. The internal validity was assessed using the Cronbach coefficient. The external validity was verified using regression models.

Results:

The reliability assessment revealed an excellent intra-class correlation of 0.89. When comparing scores obtained by participants from different levels of training, attending surgeons and senior residents (Post Graduate Year [PGY] 4-5) scored significantly better than junior residents (PGY 1-3). The difference between senior residents and attending surgeons was not significant. When considering microsurgical experience, the differences were significant between the advanced group and the minimal and moderate experience groups. The differences between minimal and moderate experience groups were not significant. Based on the data obtained, a score of 8 would translate into a level of microsurgical competence appropriate for clinical microsurgery.

Conclusions:

Thiel cadaveric vessels are a high fidelity model for microsurgical simulation. Excellent internal and external validity measures were obtained using the Microvascular Evaluation Scale (MVES).
Distal respiratory tract viral infections in young children trigger a marked increase in alveolar mast cells
Authors: Andersson Cecilia K. , Shikhagaie Medya , Mori Michiko , Al-Garawi Amal , Reed Jennifer L. , Humbles Alison A. , Welliver Robert , Mauad Thais , Bjermer Leif , Jordana Manel , Erjefält Jonas S.
Published: November 2018

Viral infections predispose to the development of childhood asthma, a disease associated with increased lung mast cells (MCs). This study investigated whether viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) can already evoke a MC response during childhood.

Lung tissue from young children who died following LRTIs were processed for immunohistochemical identification of MCs. Children who died from nonrespiratory causes served as controls. MCs were examined in relation to sensitisation in infant mice exposed to allergen during influenza A infection.

Increased numbers of MCs were observed in the alveolar parenchyma of children infected with LRTIs (median (range) 12.5 (0–78) MCs per mm2) compared to controls (0.63 (0–4) MCs per mm2, p=0.0005). The alveolar MC expansion was associated with a higher proportion of CD34+tryptase+progenitors (controls: 0% (0–1%); LRTIs: 0.9% (0–3%) CD34+MCs (p=0.01)) and an increased expression of the vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 (controls: 0.2 (0.07–0.3); LRTIs: 0.3 (0.02–2) VCAM-1 per mm2(p=0.04)). Similarly, infant mice infected with H1N1 alone or together with house dust mite (HDM) developed an increase in alveolar MCs (saline: 0.4 (0.3–0.5); HDM: 0.6 (0.4–0.9); H1N1: 1.4 (0.4–2.0); HDM+H1N1: 2.2 (1.2–4.4) MCs per mm2(p<0.0001)). Alveolar MCs continued to increase and remained significantly higher into adulthood when exposed to H1N1+HDM (day 36: 2.2 (1.2–4.4); day 57: 4.6 (1.6–15) MCs per mm2(p=0.01)) but not when infected with H1N1 alone.

Our data demonstrate that distal viral infections in young children evoke a rapid accumulation of alveolar MCs. Apart from revealing a novel immune response to distal infections, our data may have important implications for the link between viral infections during early childhood and subsequent asthma development.
The acceptability of screening for Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE): cross-sectional survey of nursing staff and the general publics’ perceptions
Authors: Currie Kay , King Caroline , McAloney-Kocaman Kareena , Roberts Nicola J. , MacDonald Jennifer , Dickson Adele , Cairns Shona , Khanna Nitish , Flowers Paul , Reilly Jacqui , Price Lesley
Published: November 2018

Background

Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) has spread rapidly and presents a growing challenge in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) management internationally. Screening for CPE may involve a rectal swab, there are limited treatment options for affected patients, and colonised patients are cared for in isolation to protect others. These measures are sound infection prevention precautions; however, the acceptability of CPE screening and its consequences are currently unknown.

The aim of this study was ‘To determine factors influencing acceptability of CPE screening from the perspectives of nursing staff and the general public.’

Methods

National cross-sectional surveys of nursing staff (n = 450) and the general public (n = 261). The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) guided data collection and analysis. Regression modelling was used to identify factors that predicted acceptability of CPE screening.

Results

For nursing staff, the following predictor variables were significant: intention to conduct CPE screening (OR 14.19, CI 5.14–39.22); belief in the severity of the consequences of CPE (OR 7.13, CI 3.26–15.60); knowledge of hospital policy for screening (OR 3.04, CI 1.45–6.34); preference to ask patients to take their own rectal swab (OR 2.89, CI 1.39–6.0); awareness that CPE is an organism of growing concern (OR 2.44, CI 1.22–4.88). The following predictor variables were significant for the general public: lack of knowledge of AMR (β − .11, p = .01); social influences (β .14,p = .032); social norms (β .21p = .00); acceptability of being isolated if colonised (β .22, p = .000), beliefs about the acceptability of rectal swabbing (β .15, p = .00), beliefs about the impact of careful explanation about CPE screening from a health professional (β .32, p = .00).

Integrating results from staff and public perspectives points to the importance of knowledge of AMR, environmental resources, and social influences in shaping acceptability.

Conclusions

This is the first study to systematically examine the acceptability of CPE screening across nursing staff and the public. The use of TDF enabled identification of the mechanisms of action, or theoretical constructs, likely to be important in understanding and changing CPE related behaviour amongst professionals and public alike.
Fast cosmic web simulations with generative adversarial networks
Authors: Rodríguez Andres C. , Kacprzak Tomasz , Lucchi Aurelien , Amara Adam , Sgier Raphaël , Fluri Janis , Hofmann Thomas , Réfrégier Alexandre
Published: November 2018

Dark matter in the universe evolves through gravity to form a complex network of halos, filaments, sheets and voids, that is known as the cosmic web. Computational models of the underlying physical processes, such as classical N-body simulations, are extremely resource intensive, as they track the action of gravity in an expanding universe using billions of particles as tracers of the cosmic matter distribution. Therefore, upcoming cosmology experiments will face a computational bottleneck that may limit the exploitation of their full scientific potential. To address this challenge, we demonstrate the application of a machine learning technique called Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN) to learn models that can efficiently generate new, physically realistic realizations of the cosmic web. Our training set is a small, representative sample of 2D image snapshots from N-body simulations of size 500 and 100 Mpc. We show that the GAN-generated samples are qualitatively and quantitatively very similar to the originals. For the larger boxes of size 500 Mpc, it is very difficult to distinguish them visually. The agreement of the power spectrum $P_{k}$

P
k

is 1–2% for most of the range, between $k=0.06$
k
=
0.06
and $k=0.4$
k
=
0.4
. For the remaining values of k, the agreement is within 15%, with the error rate increasing for $k>0.8$
k
>
0.8
. For smaller boxes of size 100 Mpc, we find that the visual agreement to be good, but some differences are noticable. The error on the power spectrum is of the order of 20%. We attribute this loss of performance to the fact that the matter distribution in 100 Mpc cutouts was very inhomogeneous between images, a situation in which the performance of GANs is known to deteriorate. We find a good match for the correlation matrix of full $P_{k}$

P
k

range for 100 Mpc data and of small scales for 500 Mpc, with ∼20% disagreement for large scales. An important advantage of generating cosmic web realizations with a GAN is the considerable gains in terms of computation time. Each new sample generated by a GAN takes a fraction of a second, compared to the many hours needed by traditional N-body techniques. We anticipate that the use of generative models such as GANs will therefore play an important role in providing extremely fast and precise simulations of cosmic web in the era of large cosmological surveys, such as Euclid and Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST).
New hypoglycemic agents and the kidney: what do the major trials tell us?
Authors: Smyth Brendan , Perkovic Vlado
Published: November 2018

As the burden of diabetic kidney disease continues to expand, new therapies to preserve renal function or prevent diabetic nephropathy are urgently needed. In the past decade, a number of new hypoglycemic classes have emerged, each with a unique profile of action and benefits. Here we review the impact of glycemic control on renal outcomes and the results of the major clinical trials of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, and sodium–glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. Both GLP-1 agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors consistently demonstrate renal benefits. Further studies of these new agents in different patient groups and in comparison to (or in combination with) other treatments are required to better define their role in combating the burden of diabetic kidney disease.
ON SOME PROBLEMS OF THE USE OF PHRASEOLOGICAL UNITS AS ARTISTIC MEANS
Authors: Осмонова Наргул , Osmonova Nargul
Published: November 2018

Phraseological units that embrace artistry, emotional value, expressiveness in their meaning, cannot fully disclose the situation, therefore, between the components of such phraseological units there are free words, word combinations from different parts of speech. This method, contributed to the emergence of additional meanings in phraseological units.

The writer, masterfully using in his work changes already established forms of phraseology, on such phenomena as replacement, joining, or promoting the emergence of new meanings of phraseological units by an innovative method, the use of free words, phrases between components of phraseological units, showed his worldview, relentless pursuit, the language essence. The appearance of anew the individual character of phraseological units or the appearance of a new variant, causes not only various artistic and stylistic possibilities, but also contributes to the emergence of different versions of phraseological units, enriching the world of phraseology in the language.

Appearing in different situations and conditions, using an individual method to introduce additions from the lexico-semantic side to primary values to components within phraseological units, using phraseological units as aesthetic means, the writer created spiritual value in his works. In this article, this type of problem is revealed using specific examples.
PRINCIPLES OF DETERMINISM, SYSTEMICITY AND DEVELOPMENT IN THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH OF SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Authors: Атмайкина Виктория , Atmaykina Viktoria , Бабаян Анжела , Babayan Angela V. Babayan
Published: November 2018

The article reveals the feasibility of using the principles of determinism, system, development in scientific studies of socio-cultural activities. It is shown that the use of these methodological principles allows to improve the quality of research in the field of socio-cultural activities, to make their results reliable, reasonable, and the research itself is practice-oriented.
Types of listening comprehension developed in the Chilean EFL textbook Global English
Authors: Carcamo Morales Benjamin
Published: November 2018

This article reports the results and reflections of an analysis of the EFL textbook provided by the Ministry of Education of Chile to all 11th graders in public and subsidized schools.  The objective of this article is to identify the type(s) of comprehension developed in the listening comprehension section. The results show that the there is no clear progress across the units and that the vast majority of the tasks aim at comprehension at the surface level. This significantly reduces the opportunities to develop critical thinking and to foster the perception of listening as an active skill.
Combining the strategies of using focused written corrective feedback: a study with upper-elementary Chilean EFL learners
Authors: Saavedra Jeldres Pamela Andrea , Campos Espinoza Mónica
Published: November 2018

This report describes a mixed study comparing the writing performance of 60 EFL students in three intact groups, during their first semester of an English undergraduate Program at a university in the South of Chile. Three types of focused, Indirect Written Corrective Feedback (henceforth WCF) were used: group 1, coding (n=23); group 2, brief grammatical explanation (n=22); and group 3, underlining (n=15). Feedback was given on five targeted linguistic categories. A pretest was applied before the 16-week treatment took place, as well as a posttest. Students received explicit grammar training and knowledge of genres; multiple-drafting was used in a writing portfolio based class that allowed them to see their progress over time. Frequency and standard deviation of errors were calculated for the pre and posttest. Qualitative data was collected from group semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using content analysis. Results show that 3 out of the 5 linguistic categories have a significant improvement in terms of accuracy, and there are differences among types of feedback. Interviews indicate that students are satisfied with the writing portfolio system because it allows them to keep track on their progress; they value the systematic feedback and have a positive attitude towards multiple drafting and the writing process approach.
Museos y coyuntura de principios del siglo XXI en Bolivia
Authors: Romero Flores Javier Reynaldo
Published: November 2018

A partir de una corta revisión del museo y su transformación en el tiempo, se hace referencia a la importancia de la política en su administración. Luego, en función de la dinámica global y la disputa entre el Estado y el Mercado por la posesión de los bienes patrimoniales, que son resguardados en los museos, se reflexiona acerca de los conflictos, las tensiones y algunas salidas que se están dando en el plano global. A partir de este contexto, de manera breve, se reflexiona sobre el estado actual y el rol de los museos en la sociedad boliviana de cara al siglo XXI.
The role of perceived green marketing and brand equity on green purchasing decision
Authors: Sanidewi Hasna , Paramita Eristia Lidia
Published: November 2018

The purpose of this study is to describe the role of perceived green marketing and brand equity on  customers green purchasing decision in Indonesia. We conducted qualitative research using five informants who are customers of The Body Shop Indonesia, one of the companies implementing green marketing. The primary data was collected through the interviews, observations, and supported documents, as triangulation. The collected data was filtered and categorized to have a clear analysis. The results were shown that the informants perceived The Body Shop’s green marketing as a respectable action to reduce the negative impact of the firms’ business activities. Green marketing has developed and influenced The Body Shop brand positively. It leads the informants to insert their environmental consideration in their purchasing decision.
The Hong Kong Speech Community’s Cantonese and Other Languages
Authors: S. Bauer Robert
Published: November 2018

The Hong Kong speech community distinguishes itself from others in China by predominantly speaking Cantonese, a South China regional variety which is mutually unintelligible with Putonghua (or Mandarin), China’s official, national language. While Hong Kong is officially (but ambiguously) bilingual in 中文 ‘Chinese’ and 英文 ‘English’, yet simply in terms of its numbers of speakers, social domains in which it is spoken, and deliberate choice by the broadcast media, Cantonese unquestionably serves as Hong Kong’s de facto official spoken language. Other Chinese varieties (or dialects) and non-Chinese languages are spoken in the community, although the numbers of their speakers are relatively small. For both pedagogical and political reasons, schools have been switching from Cantonese mother-tongue instruction to Putonghua. Other language-education issues being addressed by the authorities are demands by Hong Kong’s ethnic minorities to learn to read and write standard Chinese through a comprehensive curriculum for Chinese as a second language and an end to segregated schools.
Gender Differences Based on Attributive Relations
Authors: Andreev Sergey
Published: November 2018

Adnominals of different types in the texts of 16 popular modern Russian authors were analyzed to examine gender based differences. The study was conducted with the help of discriminant analysis which revealed considerable differences in female and male authors’ adnominal styles and allowed to build a discriminant model of several types of adnominals.
Zwitterions as novel phase forming components of aqueous biphasic systems
Authors: Basaiahgari Anusha , Yadav Sandeep Kumar , Gardas Ramesh L.
Published: November 2018

A novel class of aqueous biphasic systems (ABS) formed by zwitterions (ZI) has been investigated in the present work. A series of water soluble ZIs have been synthesized using triethylamine, N-Methylimidazole, N-Vinylimidazole, pyridine, N-Methylpyrrolidine, N-Ethylpiperidine and 1,4 butane sultone. The synthesized ZIs were explored for their ability to form biphasic systems in combination with aqueous inorganic salt solutions of K3PO4, K2HPO4 and K2CO3. The phase diagrams for all systems have been constructed through cloud point titration method at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure. The phase behavior of ZI based ABS have been analyzed to understand the structural effects of ZIs as well as the effect of nature of salt used on the overall phase formation. Further the temperature dependence of the ZI based ABS was also explored by studying the phase behavior at variable temperatures of 298.15, 308.15 and 318.15 K. In order to estimate the applicability of proposed ZI based ABS, extraction experiments have been performed for an alkaloid i.e. caffeine for all synthesized ZIs with K3PO4 and at 298.15 K. ZI based ABS have been found to be capable of single step extraction of caffeine similar to IL based ABS thus providing the possibilities to explore these ZI based ABS as efficient extraction and separation systems.
Web-TV as a backstage activity: Emerging forms of audience address in the post-broadcast era
Authors: Eriksson Göran , Fitzgerald Richard
Published: November 2018

Taking off from the Media Talk approach, this paper examines the communicative work of a Swedish sports webcast football show, Superlive, as an emerging form of web-based media format called Web-TV. This analysis is situated in a context in which broadcasting is going through fundamental changes, and broadcasters are rethinking their content in order to face the challenges arriving with recent decades’ technological developments, and especially the fact that television is no longer restricted to being broadcast but can be distributed through the web and be received on PCs, tablets and mobile phones. In this ‘post-broadcasting era’ producers are searching for new ways of reaching audiences through creating new forms of audience address. Superlive is a good example of these changes and how broadcasters now explore the possibilities of producing television exclusively for the Web. The analysis shows that what is taking place in Superlive is clearly in contrast to the performances one could expect in the conventional broadcast. Through the participants’ favoring of an interactional style characterized by informality and spontaneity, this show situates itself as backstage to the conventional forms of airings. As a result, this discursive space implies an interactional orientation to “co-presence” with the audience.
Remains of the 19th Century: Deep storage of contaminated hydraulic mining sediment along the Lower Yuba River, California
Authors: Nakamura Tyler K. , Singer Michael Bliss , Gabet Emmanuel J.
Published: November 2018

Since the onset of hydraulic gold mining in California’s Sierra Nevada foothills in 1852, the environmental damage caused by displacement and storage of hydraulic mining sediment (HMS) has been a significant ecological problem downstream. Large volumes of mercury-laden HMS from the Yuba River watershed were deposited within the river corridor, creating the anthropogenic Yuba Fan. However, there are outstanding uncertainties about how much HMS is still contained within this fan. To quantify the deep storage of HMS in the Yuba Fan, we analyzed mercury concentrations of sediment samples collected from borings and outcrops at multiple depths. The mercury concentrations served as chemostratigraphic markers to identify the contacts between the HMS and underlying pre-mining deposits. The HMS had mercury concentrations at least ten-fold higher than pre-mining deposits. Analysis of the lower Yuba Fan’s volume suggests that approximately 8.1 × 107 m3 of HMS was deposited within the study area between 1852 and 1999, representing ~32% of the original Yuba Fan delivered by 19th Century hydraulic gold mining. Our estimate of the mercury mass contained within this region is 6.7 × 103 kg, which is several orders of magnitude smaller than what was estimated to have been lost to the mining process. We suggest that this discrepancy is likely due to a combination of missing (yet to be found) mercury masses stored upstream, overestimated losses during mining, and high delivery of mercury to the lowland Sacramento Valley and to the San Francisco Bay-Delta system, where it poses a great risk to sensitive ecosystems.
Atminties kultūra ir politiškumo genezė Delfų teologijoje
Authors: Kazlauskas Raimondas
Published: November 2018

[straipsnis ir santrauka lietuvių kalba; santrauka anglų kalba]Straipsnyje aptariama politiškumo genezė, traktuojant šį fenomeną kaip ypatingą politinių ir religinių veiksnių sąveiką. Rytams būdinga cheirografinė atminties kultūra lyginama su graikų pasaulyje iškilusia oroakustine jos alternatyva. Svarstomos antikinės Graikijos politinės sąmonės ir religinio mentaliteto raidos ypatybės. Nagrinėjamos legitimacijos prielaidos, susiejant jas su Tamsiaisiais amžiais vykusia graikų tapatybės krize ir kartų kovos problema, kurią atspindėjo tradicinė tėvų pasaulio (Olimpo) teologija ir marginali sūnų pasaulio (Delfų) teologija.
HS2 railway, UK – the hybrid bill
Authors: Podkolinski Jan
Published: November 2018

The hybrid bill for the London-to-West Midlands phase of the UK's High Speed Two (HS2) high-speed railway weighed half a tonne, and was the largest ever deposited in parliament. Preparation, to strict requirements of parliament's standing orders, took 22 months, using a large part of the country's engineering and environmental resources, and was completed to time and on budget.
News and Uncertainty Shocks
Authors: Cascaldi-Garcia Danilo , Galvao Ana Beatriz
Published: November 2018

We provide novel evidence that technological news and uncertainty shocks, identified one at a time using VAR models as in the literature, are correlated; that is, they are not truly structural. We then proceed by proposing an identification scheme to disentangle the effects of news and financial uncertainty shocks. We find that by removing uncertainty effects from news shocks, the positive responses of economic activity to news shocks are strengthened in the short term; and that the negative responses of activity to financial uncertainty shocks are deepened in the medium term as ‘good uncertainty&amp;amp;#x27; effects on technology are purged.
Optical density measurement for Bacterial solution (Worm Food) v1
Authors: Islam Priota
Published: November 2018

Before the OP50 solution is aliquoted into small falcon tubes, it is always better to check the OD by using a spectrophotometer, for documentation purposes.