bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cartilage Repair With or Without Meniscal Transplantation and Osteotomy for Lateral Compartment Chondral Defects of the Knee
Authors: Harris Joshua D. , Hussey Kristen , Saltzman Bryan M. , McCormick Frank M. , Wilson Hillary , Abrams Geoffrey D. , Cole Brian J.
Published: October 2014

Background:

Treatment decision making for chondral defects in the knee is multifactorial. Articular cartilage pathology, malalignment, and meniscal deficiency must all be addressed to optimize surgical outcomes.

Purpose:

To determine whether significant clinical improvements in validated clinical outcome scores are observed at minimum 2-year follow-up after articular cartilage repair of focal articular cartilage defects of the lateral compartment of the knee with or without concurrent distal femoral osteotomy and lateral meniscus transplant.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Symptomatic adults who underwent surgical treatment (microfracture, autologous chondrocyte implantation [ACI], osteochondral autograft or allograft) of full-thickness lateral compartment chondral defects of the knee with or without a postmeniscectomy compartment or valgus malalignment by a single surgeon with minimum 2-year follow-up were analyzed. Validated patient-reported and surgeon-measured outcomes were collected pre- and postsurgery. Pre- and postoperative outcomes were compared via Student t tests.

Results:

Thirty-five subjects (mean age, 29.6 ± 10.5 years) were analyzed. Patients had been symptomatic for 2.51 ± 3.52 years prior to surgery and had undergone 2.11 ± 1.18 surgeries prior to study enrollment, with a mean duration of follow-up of 3.65 ± 1.71 years. The mean defect size was 4.42 ± 2.06 cm2. Surgeries included ACI (n = 18), osteochondral allograft (n = 14), osteochondral autograft (n = 2), and microfracture (n = 1). There were 18 subjects who underwent concomitant surgery (14 lateral meniscus transplant, 3 distal femoral osteotomy, and 1 combined). Statistically significant ( P < .05) and clinically meaningful improvements were observed at final follow-up in Lysholm, subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDS), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) subscales, Short Form–12 (SF-12) scores, and patient satisfaction. At follow-up, patients undergoing isolated articular cartilage surgery had a significantly higher KOOS quality of life subscore than did those undergoing articular cartilage surgery and lateral meniscus transplant ( P = .039). Otherwise, there were no significant postoperative differences between the isolated and combined surgery groups in any outcome score. Five patients underwent 6 reoperations (1 revision osteochondral allograft, 5 chondroplasties). No patient was converted to knee arthroplasty.

Conclusion:

In patients with lateral compartment focal chondral defects with or without lateral meniscal deficiency and valgus malalignment, surgical cartilage repair and correction of concomitant pathology can significantly improve clinical outcomes at 2-year follow-up with no significant differences between isolated and combined surgery and a low rate of complications and reoperations.
Developing Singing in Third-Grade Music Classrooms
Authors: Paney Andrew S. , Kay Ann C.
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of concurrent visual feedback on pitch-matching skill development in third-grade students. Participants played a computer game, SingingCoach, which scored the accuracy of their singing of the song “America.” They followed the contour of the melody on the screen as the computer displayed a line representing their real-time vocal response. Participants could adjust their singing based on the feedback and improve their score. Music teachers ( n = 30) tested their students ( N = 2,021) in the fall and spring semesters and reported their scores. A correlated samples t-test showed a significant difference between students’ pretest and posttest scores, with a mean increase of more than 10 percentage points. Computer programs that offer immediate, concurrent singing feedback may help young students experience musical growth over a relatively short period of time even, perhaps, when formal musical instruction time is limited.
Aural Image in Practice
Authors: Oare Steve
Published: October 2014

This multiple case study examined six adolescent band students engaged in self-directed practice. The students’ practice sessions were videotaped. Students provided verbal reports during their practice and again retrospectively while reviewing their video immediately after practice. Students were asked to discuss their choice of practice strategies, their self-assessment process, and their motivation. This study suggests that student use (and nonuse) of aural imagery seemed to affect practice in multiple ways relating to motivation, goal setting, strategy use, and self-assessment. The quality of aural image a student had of the music to be played seemed to be related to the student’s level of music literacy.
Coincidence theorems via alpha cuts of L-fuzzy sets with applications
Authors: Rashid Maliha , Kutbi Marwan Amin , Azam Akbar
Published: October 2014

In the present paper, existence theorems of coincidence points of a crisp mapping and a sequence of L-fuzzy mappings have been established in a complete metric space under contractive type conditions in connection with newly defined notions of

D

α
L

and

d
L
∞

distances on the class of L-fuzzy sets. Furthermore, we obtain some fixed point theorems for L-fuzzy set-valued mappings to extend a variety of recent results on fixed points for fuzzy mappings and multivalued mappings in the literature. As applications, first we obtain coincidence points of a sequence of multivalued mappings with a self mapping and next established an existence and uniqueness theorem of the solution for a generalized class of nonlinear integral equations.

MSC:46S40, 47H10, 54H25.
The effect of goal-directed therapy on mortality in patients with sepsis - earlier is better: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Gu Wan-Jie , Wang Fei , Bakker Jan , Tang Lu , Liu Jing-Chen
Published: October 2014

Introduction

The Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines recommend goal-directed therapy (GDT) for the early resuscitation of patients with sepsis. However, the findings of the ProCESS (Protocolized Care for Early Septic Shock) trial showed no benefit from GDT for reducing mortality rates in early septic shock. We performed a meta-analysis to integrate these findings with existing literature on this topic and evaluate the effect of GDT on mortality due to sepsis.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Embase and CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases and reference lists of extracted articles. Randomized controlled trials comparing GDT with standard therapy or usual care in patients with sepsis were included. The prespecified primary outcome was overall mortality.

Results

In total, 13 trials involving 2,525 adult patients were included. GDT significantly reduced overall mortality in the random-effects model (relative risk (RR), 0.83; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.71 to 0.96; P =0.01; I2 = 56%). Predefined subgroup analysis according to the timing of GDT for resuscitation suggested that a mortality benefit was seen only in the subgroup of early GDT within the first 6 hours (seven trials; RR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.89; P =0.0004; I2 = 40%), but not in the subgroup with late or unclear timing of GDT (six trials; RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.69 to 1.24; P =0.59; I2 = 56%). GDT was significantly associated with the use of dobutamine (five trials; RR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.20 to 6.10; P =0.02).

Conclusions

The results of the present meta-analysis suggest that GDT significantly reduces overall mortality in patients with sepsis, especially when initiated early. However, owing to the variable quality of the studies, strong and definitive recommendations cannot be made.
Year in review 2013: Critical Care- respirology
Authors: Curley Gerard F , Slutsky Arthur S
Published: October 2014

This review documents important progress made in 2013 in the field of critical care respirology, in particular with regard to acute respiratory failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Twenty-five original articles published in the respirology and critical care sections of Critical Care are discussed in the following categories: pre-clinical studies, protective lung ventilation – how low can we go, non-invasive ventilation for respiratory failure, diagnosis and prognosis in acute respiratory distress syndrome and respiratory failure, and promising interventions for acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Effect of high pressure on hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria
Authors: Schedler Martina , Hiessl Robert , Valladares Juárez Ana Gabriela , Gust Giselher , Müller Rudolf
Published: October 2014

The blowout of the Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010 occurred at a depth of 1500 m, corresponding to a hydrostatic pressure of 15 MPa. Up to now, knowledge about the impact of high pressure on oil-degrading bacteria has been scarce. To investigate how the biodegradation of crude oil and its components is influenced by high pressures, like those in deep-sea environments, hydrocarbon degradation and growth of two model strains were studied in high-pressure reactors. The alkane-degrading strain Rhodococcus qingshengii TUHH-12 grew well on n-hexadecane at 15 MPa at a rate of 0.16 h−1, although slightly slower than at ambient pressure (0.36 h−1). In contrast, the growth of the aromatic hydrocarbon degrading strain Sphingobium yanoikuyae B1 was highly affected by elevated pressures. Pressures of up to 8.8 MPa had little effect on growth of this strain. However, above this pressure growth decreased and at 12 MPa or more no more growth was observed. Nevertheless, S. yanoikuyae continued to convert naphthalene at pressure >12 MPa, although at a lower rate than at 0.1 MPa. This suggests that certain metabolic functions of this bacterium were inhibited by pressure to a greater extent than the enzymes responsible for naphthalene degradation. These results show that high pressure has a strong influence on the biodegradation of crude oil components and that, contrary to previous assumptions, the role of pressure cannot be discounted when estimating the biodegradation and ultimate fate of deep-sea oil releases such as the Deepwater Horizon event.
Application of clinical proteomics in acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Bhargava Maneesh , Higgins LeeAnn , Wendt Christine H , Ingbar David H
Published: October 2014

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating cause of hypoxic respiratory failure, which continues to have high mortality. It is expected that a comprehensive systems‐ level approach will identify global and complex changes that contribute to the development of ARDS and subsequent repair of the damaged lung. In the last decade, powerful genome‐wide analytical and informatics tools have been developed, that have provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of complex diseases such as ARDS. These tools include the rapid and precise measure of gene expression at the proteomic level. This article reviews the contemporary proteomics platforms that are available for comprehensive studies in ARDS. The challenges of various biofluids that could be investigated and some of the studies performed are also discussed.
Preparation of Polyaniline–Pt Nanoparticles via Ligand Exchange from Starch–Pt Nanoparticles
Authors: Isaji Tadayuki , Amaya Toru , Inada Yuhi , Abe Masashi , Hirao Toshikazu
Published: October 2014

Polyaniline–Pt nanoparticles were prepared from starch–Pt nanoparticles as a precursor via ligand exchange. The diameter of the thus-obtained Pt nanoparticles was distributed in a range of 2 to 3 nm. This reductant-less procedure is considered useful to prepare metal nanoparticles with redox-active ligands.
Facile Preparation of Poly(quinoxaline-2,3-diyl)s via Aromatizing Polymerization of 1,2-Diisocyanobenzenes Using Phosphine Complexes of Nickel(II) Salts
Authors: Nagata Yuuya , Ke Yuan-Zhen , Suginome Michinori
Published: October 2014

Polymerizations of 1,2-diisocyanobenzenes to afford poly(quinoxaline-2,3-diyl)s were investigated in the presence of various metal salts and their phosphine complexes, whereby especially the stable and easily-accessible [NiCl2(PMe3)2] was found to exhibit a high polymerization activity. The end groups of the resulting polymers were determined by mass spectrometry measurements as –P+Me3 and –H, indicative of a nucleophilic attack of PMe3 towards an isocyano group as the initial step of the polymerization. A chiral polymer ligand, prepared by such a [NiCl2(PMe3)2]-mediated polymerization, demonstrated high enantioselectivities in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrosilylation reactions, suggesting that the polymeric catalyst adopted a single-handed helical backbone.
Making your PTA's contribution matter
Authors: David Anthony
Published: October 2014

Anthony David looks at how you can support your school's association and the work carried out by its members carry out, and why this is important.
Designing a curriculum for junior entrepreneurs
Authors: David Anthony
Published: October 2014

Anthony David looks at the benefits of embedding enterprise education in the school curriculum and making it part of a whole-school approach.
Posaconazole Dose Depends on Dosage Form; Limit Magnesium Sulfate Premix to 20 Gram Bags; Vancomycin Injection for Oral Use Given Intramuscularly; Phenylephrine Injection Needs Dilution for Intravenous Bolus Use; Similar Drug Names Confused
Authors: Cohen Michael R. , Smetzer Judy L.
Published: October 2014

These medication errors have occurred in health care facilities at least once. They will happen again—perhaps where you work. Through education and alertness of personnel and procedural safeguards, they can be avoided. You should consider publishing accounts of errors in your newsletters and/or presenting them at your inservice training programs.

Your assistance is required to continue this feature. The reports described here were received through the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Medication Errors Reporting Program. Any reports published by ISMP will be anonymous. Comments are also invited; the writers' names will be published if desired. ISMP may be contacted at the address shown below.

Errors, close calls, or hazardous conditions may be reported directly to ISMP through the ISMP Web site ( www.ismp.org ), by calling 800-FAIL-SAFE, or via e-mail at ismpinfo@ismp.org . ISMP guarantees the confidentiality and security of the information received and respects reporters' wishes as to the level of detail included in publications.
Methimazole-Induced Chronic Arthritis; Bilateral Gynecomastia Associated with the Combination of Methylphenidate and Paroxetine; Adrenal Suppression and Cushingoid Features with Inhaled Fluticasone; Pulmonary Thromboembolism Due to Paliperidone
Authors: Mancano Michael A.
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this feature is to heighten awareness of specific adverse drug reactions (ADRs), discuss methods of prevention, and promote reporting of ADRs to the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) MEDWATCH program (800-FDA-1088). If you have reported an interesting, preventable ADR to MEDWATCH, please consider sharing the account with our readers.
Fluorescence Spectral Characteristics of Fiber Optic Imaging Bundles
Authors: Udovich Joshua , Kirkpatrick Nathaniel , Rynes Anthony West , Gmitro Arthur
Published: October 2014

Fiber optic-imaging bundles have been evaluated to characterize their
fluorescence properties. Excitation-emission maps were generated in
the UV/visible range using a customized spectrometer.
Parallelization of wide-field imaging in AIPS++
Authors: Golap K. , Kemball A. , Cornwell T. , Young W.
Published: October 2014

Large synthesis arrays in radio astronomy operating at low frequencies require wide-field imaging using a full 3-D Fourier transform rather than the conventional 2-D approximation. This presents computational and algorithmic challenges. We discuss some solutions adopted in AIPS++
Low-Rank Reconstruction Filters for Extended Depth of Focus Imaging
Authors: Johnson Gregory E.
Published: October 2014

Separable 2D FIR filtering for Wavefront Coded™ image reconstruction can decrease the computational burden by an order of magnitude or more. Furthermore, using rank-reduced separable filters often produces cleaner images when compared to full-rank reconstructions.
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT OF IMAGE QUALITY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR SYSTEM DESIGN
Authors: Barrett Harrison H.
Published: October 2014

We shall review the basic principles of objective (task-based) assessment of image quality, summarize the relevant figures of merit, and discuss the joint optimization of an imaging system and its associated data processing.
Lethal franchise: The evolution of the Torrente saga (1998–2011)
Authors: Jordan Barry
Published: October 2014

The so-called Torrente saga (1–4, 1998–2011), written, directed and partly co-produced by Santiago Segura, has become the most commercially successful franchise in Spain’s entire film history. With four instalments to date (and a fifth now scheduled for release in October 2014), these trash comedy films have so far attracted over 14.5 million local admissions and over 71 million euros in domestic box office, not counting ancillary revenues (source mcu.es). Compared to dominant, taxpayer-subsidized, art film productions, which evoke very little spectator appeal and remain almost entirely loss making, Segura’s audiences and grosses constitute outstanding, indeed unique, commercial achievements. In this article, my main aim is to explain why the Torrente franchise has been so popular and consistently successful, at least in Spain (though much less so internationally). At the same time, given that the Torrente phenomenon reflects important developments taking place in the marketing, exhibition and consumption of recent Spanish cinema, this article will explore the franchise as a case study of these changes.
Emozionanti mostri femminili tra storia e cinema
Authors: Giallongo Angela
Published: October 2014

Ricorrendo al concetto chiave di paura, usato come categoria storica, il presente contributo esamina l’antico mito gorgonico in sette film e in alcuni esempi di Teen Movies. L’analisi critica focalizza l’attenzione sull’interdipendenza tra le emozioni negative, gli usi attuali di questa immagine archetipica e la ricerca storica sull’immaginario di genere.
«Défense absolue d’aller voir le spectacle infernal du sorcier blanc»: a função da narrativa e da metáfora na reconstituição histórica do espetáculo cinematográfico numa aldeia africana
Authors: Bamba Mahomed
Published: October 2014

As questões que examino neste artigo tem a ver com a reconstrucão histórica de um caso de recepção cultural do cinematógrafo numa aldeia islâmica Africana. Minha análise interpretative deste processo é baseada numa releitura de uma narrativa curta do escritor Amadou Hampâté Bâ. A partir do texto de Bâ levanto uma série de perguntas: como a narrative de Bâ mistura as estruturas enunciativas de um relato na primeira pessoa, os discursos de outros espectadores-personagens e uma descrição histórica? Qual figura do espectador do primeiro cinema ela nos restitui? O discurso, as opiniões e as reações do público naquela aldeia Africana acerca do cinema são diferentes ou semelhantes aos de outros públicos naquele mesmo período? Quais são as determinações e as mediações de ordem sócio-cultural que a narrativa de Bâ nos deixa entrever entre o espetáculo cinematográfico e a «instituição» religiosa? Qual é o papel da metáfora na recepção cultural do cinematógrafo? Parto da hipótese que a narrativa de Bâ pode ser lida e interpretada como uma metáfora e um documento histórico.
Historia y ansiedades de la crítica de los cines africanos a través de la persona y la obra de Med Hondo
Authors: Leal Riesco Beatriz
Published: October 2014

Con la distancia que nos da el paso de los años y a la luz de la transformación contemporánea de los paradigmas de análisis crítico-teóricos de los estudios de los cines de África, nos hallamos en un momento idóneo para acercarnos a los discursos que han ido surgiendo en relación a la persona y la obra del director mauritano Med Hondo. La historia de la crítica, la teoría y la historia real de los cines africanos se entremezclan en la imagen-estigma de director rebelde, radical y marxista que lo acompaña desde su exitosa primera película Soleil Ô (1969) y que no lo ha abandonado hasta la actualidad. Examinar las posturas y consideraciones sobre el director en publicaciones académicas sobre los cines africanos revela las ansiedades y condicionamientos materialistas de críticos y teóricos especializados, y nos llevará a descubrir las relaciones determinantes que el discurso académico ha tenido sobre la difusión, comprensión y recepción de su obra.Historia y ansiedades de la crítica de los cines africanos a través de la persona y la obra de Med Hondo
The Traditional Egyptian Antecedents of Graeco-Roman Post-Mortem Ascent
Authors: Gonzalez Eliezer
Published: October 2014

Si bien la civilización egipcia es más antigua, al referirnos a las culturas egipcia y grecorromana solemos aludir a culturas contiguas, y es innegable el profundo impacto que las ideas egipcias tuvieron en el mundo grecorromano. En ciertos aspectos clave, la visión egipcia de la vida después de la muerte anunció las concepciones grecorromana, judía y cristiana primitiva, particularmente en términos del motivo del ascenso post mortem. Aunque los canales de transmisión se han perdido en la antigüedad, este motivo todavía puede bosquejarse con suficiente claridad en ambas culturas como para sugerir que Egipto fue una fuente importante de su expresión. Tras algunas consideraciones metodológicas, este ensayo rastrea el motivo del ascenso tal como se manifestó en la cultura grecorromana, y luego analiza la naturaleza de la evidencia egipcia antigua para sugerir la existencia de elementos clave de este mismo motivo desde las primeras épocas de la Civilización del Nilo.
La proyección europea del reino de Asturias: política, cultura y economía (718-910)
Authors: González García Alberto
Published: October 2014

Este trabajo pretende señalar la importancia de las relaciones del reino asturiano con Europa, así como indicar la posible existencia de actividad marítima en el Cantábrico, a través del estudio de las noticias políticas, culturales y económicas, a pesar de la parquedad de las fuentes y frente a su concepción tradicional como una tierra autárquica y aislada.
Clero catedralicio y consumo de chocolate en el Burgos del Setecientos
Authors: Sanz De La Higuera Francisco José
Published: October 2014

La distribución y el consumo de chocolate invadieron, como una «fiebre» persistente, la cultura material y las prácticas alimenticias en el Setecientos. Las viviendas castellanas se dotaron, de manera creciente, de chocolateras y mancerinas, en las cuales verter el ansiado y nutritivo chocolate. El cacao llegaba, con más o menos prodigalidad, a las lonjas y tiendas de las ciudades y a las alacenas y despensas de las viviendas. Los clérigos no fueron ajenos a ese proceso e incluso protagonizaron una problemática colectiva, la del Cabildo catedralicio, con el objetivo manifiesto –preñado en muchas ocasiones de ansiedad y de tirantez con la empresa suministradora y con las autoridades municipales y estatales– de conseguir una logística sostenible de la materia prima, el cacao, para sus hogares.
Prensa y propaganda en los albores de la Guerra Civil: Heraldo de Zamora, julio-octubre de 1936
Authors: Hernández Luis José Luis
Published: October 2014

Este artículo pasa revista a la propaganda que apareció en Heraldo de Zamora, un diario de tradición liberal, entre el comienzo de la Guerra Civil y el ascenso al poder de Franco. Se analizan los temas y las técnicas, junto a otros aspectos significativos: el lenguaje, la iniciativa y la ideología. Toca brevemente, por último, el tema de la publicidad en relación con la propaganda. Una propaganda que tendrá entre sus rasgos peculiares el castellanismo, la moderada presencia de lo religioso, la receptividad a lo falangista y la importante atención a los obreros como tema y destinatarios.
Microwave-assisted modifications of polysaccharides
Authors: Desbrières Jacques , Petit Charlotte , Reynaud Stéphanie
Published: October 2014

Polysaccharides are a natural and renewable feed stock for synthesizing high performance macromolecular materials. However, their structure does not allow reaching all properties required for specific applications and chemical modifications are necessary to reach such objectives. Despite the use of natural polymers, the chemistry and processes employed are not environment-friendly due to the nature of chemicals, solvents or because the conventional chemical process are energy-consuming. On the other hand, microwave assisted processes were developed in organic chemistry since the 1980s and more recently for polymer chemistry (polymer formation and modification). Within the chemistry of natural polymers, the use of microwave irradiation has been exploited in the past two decades to alleviate limitations in the synthesis of graft modified polysaccharide materials. Microwave heating is described as more homogeneous, selective and efficient as compared to conventional heating resulting in faster reactions with fewer or no side products as example. Different results reported within the recent literature will be discussed considering the role of microwave irradiation and its consequence on the reaction parameters and properties of final materials. Grafting of polysaccharides, specific modification of polysaccharides or fibers particularly for preparing smart textiles or medical products as well as reactions of polysaccharides to valuable bio-platform molecule will be discussed.
Wortschatzumfang und Wortschatzqualität und ihre Bedeutung im fortgesetzten Spracherwerb
Authors: Juska-Bacher Dr. Britta , Jakob Sabrina
Published: October 2014

Gegenstand dieses Beitrags sind im mentalen Lexikon gespeicherte Wortschatzinformationen. Neben dem häufig untersuchten Bereich des Wortschatzumfangs wird auch das aus dem angloamerikanischen Sprachraum stammende Konstrukt der Wortschatzqualität oder -tiefe einbezogen. Untersuchungen aus verschiedenen Fachdisziplinen füllen dieses Konstrukt unterschiedlich, z. B. durch die Differenziertheit semantischen Wissens oder Netzwerkwissen (i. e. Wissen über die Relation eines Lexems zu anderen). Wir betrachten eine trennscharfe Differenzierung einerseits nach Umfang und Qualität, andererseits innerhalb der Wortschatzqualität als wichtige Grundlage für zukünftige psycholinguistische Forschung. Forschungsbedarf besteht vor didaktischem Hintergrund insbesondere für das Alter des „fortgesetzten Spracherwerbs“, d. h. bei Kindern ab ca. 4 bis 5 Jahren und während der Grundschulzeit, das bisher im deutschsprachigen Raum weitgehend ausgespart wurde. Untersuchungen zu diesem Alterssegment bilden die Grundlage für eine gezielte und wirkungsvolle schulische Förderung von Wortschatzkompetenzen, die als „Schaltstelle des schulischen Spracherwerbs“ (Steinhoff 2009) und als von „eminenter Bedeutung für die Bildungsprozesse des Kindes“ (Komor und Reich 2009: 57) angesehen werden und eine prominente Rolle bei rezeptiven wie produktiven Sprachfertigkeiten spielen.
Crystal structure of a giant supramolecule encapsulating o-carborane
Authors: Peresypkina Eugenia V. , Heindl Claudia , Schindler Andrea , Bodensteiner Michael , Virovets Alexander V. , Scheer Manfred
Published: October 2014

A giant quasi-spherical supramolecule [{Cp*Fe(η5-P5)}12(CuBr)18.8] encapsulating o-carborane was prepared by the reaction between CuBr and [Cp*Fe(η5-P5)] (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) and structurally characterized. The crystal structure can be treated as solid solution of various [(Cp*Fe(η5-P5))12(CuBr)n] supramolecules with n = 18–20. Two crystals obtained from different syntheses differ in the location of vacant CuBr positions and solvent molecules. Surprisingly, the supramolecules are packed following the low-density reo (ReO3) packing.
Structural Behavior of Novel Steel-Fiber Materials in Concrete Pipes (ASTM C1765)
Authors: Mikhaylova Alena , Abolmaali Ali
Published: October 2014

Steel fiber reinforced concrete pipes (SFRCP) were introduced to the U.S. concrete pipe manufacturers for the first time as an alternative to conventional reinforced concrete pipes (RCP). Over 150 full-scale tests on SFRCPs of different sizes and fiber dosages were conducted to document their structural behavior. The load–deformation plots and crack pattern formations for both SFRCP and RCP were compared and are presented herein. Direct tension and ASTM C1609/C1609M-12 “Standard Test Method for Flexural Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (Using Beam With Third-Point Loading)” tests were performed on fiber-concrete mix designs to identify their material constitutive relations for different fiber dosages. A non-linear, three-dimensional finite element model of the pipe was developed and verified against experimental results. To obtain tension stiffening material law for SFRCP with different fiber volume fraction dosages, the verified FEM, coupled with an iterative process, was used to mimic the experimentally obtained load–deformation relationships. A performance-based ASTM C1765-13 “Standard Specification for Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe” was developed for SFRCP for the first time in the U.S. as the result of this study. This article presents the philosophy of the new specification in detail and compares it with the ASTM specification for conventional RCP.
User Purpose Analysis for Mobile Banking Service
Authors: Lin Ching-Wen
Published: October 2014

In recent years, because of the increasing penetration of mobile phones, society has become concerned with mobile transaction service quality. This study aimed to promote the use of mobile transaction services. Thus, the E-S-QUAL (E-Core Service Quality) proposed by Parasuraman et al. and the Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM) developed by Bhattacherjee and Sanford were combined to study the impact on information technology acceptance, as well as to summarize 13 mobile banking service items affecting mobile banking transactions, functional programs, and accessibility programs. Furthermore, this study designed a dependency questionnaire using Analytic Network Process (ANP) based on the defined goals, criteria, subcriteria, and program dependencies. Five experts from the financial industry and academia with more than eight years of working experience were invited to compute the weights and find the optimum program accordingly. This study found that the weights of the functional programs were higher than the weights of the accessible programs; therefore, users could be convinced of the credibility and persuasiveness of mobile financial services by strengthening the mobile banking service items, thus promoting individuals’ willingness for the sustained use of mobile banking transaction services. Suggestions were proposed for functional programs that could be provided to the banking industry as a basis for decision making regarding service systems and service quality enhancement, thus further boosting user confidence in the transaction platforms of mobile banking systems.
Rapid Determination of Diffusible Hydrogen in Steel Welds Using a Modified Gas Chromatography Facility
Authors: Padhy G. K. , Ramasubbu V. , Albert S. K.
Published: October 2014

A new procedure that makes use of a modified hot extraction module for the rapid extraction of diffusible hydrogen and a conventional gas chromatograph for its measurement has been developed for the determination of diffusible hydrogen contents in welds. Using this procedure, diffusible hydrogen measurements were carried out for weld specimens prepared by depositing weld metal using electrodes having diffusible hydrogen contents in the range of 4 to 29 ml per 100 g. The results obtained show one-to-one correspondence with the results obtained when using the ISO 3690 mercury method. Further, following the recommendation of ISO 3690, the results obtained using both methods were statistically analyzed via Student's t test. The analysis showed, with a confidence level better than 95 %, that the results obtained via the new procedure were as accurate and reproducible as those of the standard method. The hot extraction chamber and the gas chromatograph can be integrated easily into a dedicated diffusible hydrogen measurement system. This new procedure has the potential to replace the time-consuming mercury method and the commercially available hot extraction method currently employed for measuring diffusible hydrogen contents in welding consumables.
Effect of Silver Flakes and Particle Shape on the Steady Shear Viscosity of Isotropic Conductive Adhesives
Authors: Durairaj R. , Leong Kau Chee
Published: October 2014

This study investigated the effect of silver filler particle/flake shape on the rheological behavior of isotropic conductive adhesives (ICAs). Three types of epoxy systems were formulated with the following fillers: silver flakes, silver powder, and a mixture of silver flakes and silver powder. A volume fraction ranging from 0.2 to 0.8 silver fillers was added to the epoxy systems, and the corresponding viscosity of the paste was measured. The relationship between viscosity and volume fraction of ICAs is described through empirical models such as the Krieger–Dougherty, Quemada, and Eilers models. The studies showed that the shape of the filler influenced the viscosity of the suspension. For example, the silver flakes agglomerated at a lower volume fraction than silver flakes. In addition, an increase in the volume fraction reduced the distance between the particles and flakes, resulting in greater viscosity. In addition, the Krieger–Dougherty model yielded the best correlation between the measured viscosities and volume fraction.
Evaluation of Measurement Methodologies Used for Establishing Water Retention Characteristic Curve of Fly Ash
Authors: Abhijit D. , Sreedeep S.
Published: October 2014

Fly ash (FA) has potential applications in geotechnical and geoenvironmental projects, where its water retention characteristic curve (WRCC) is important. The main objective of this study was to establish the inherent range of measured suction of FAs using four different tools: tensiometer (TM), matric potential sensor, equitensiometer (EQT), and WP4 dew point potentiameter with a varying measurement range. Based on the measured results, the variability of WRCC equation parameters of four FAs collected from different thermal power plants were studied. Further, the sensitivity of a different range of measured suction on WRCC equation parameters of FA was investigated. The study indicated that the possible range of measurable suction for FA is 1 to 1000 kPa, which can be measured conveniently with an EQT. The parameters of FA were not influenced by high suction measurements (>1000 kPa) of WP4. The suction data (>1000 kPa) obtained using the WP4 can be appended with a low-suction-range instrument such as a TM for a better representation of the WRCC of FA. However, the study indicated that WRCC parameterization of FA is influenced more by the low range of suction.
An Assessment of the Quality-Achieving Reliability of Mechanical Products Based on Information-Poor Theory
Authors: Xia Xintao , Shang Yantao , Jin Yinping , Qiu Ming , Zhu Shichao
Published: October 2014

Reliable evaluation of a product's quality assurance capability is difficult to quantify due to the intricacies of the quality assurance process and the uncertain relationships between the product quality and its influence factors. To address this problem, with the aid of information-poor theory, a new concept, quality-achieving reliability, is proposed, and a corresponding evaluation model is structured to calculate the probability of achieving product quality as a function of the influence factors. Using the decomposition and composition method, quality classifications of the product evaluation indicator and its influence factors are produced to extract the cumulative distribution of the product quality and its elements. Using the grey relational grade method, a weight analysis of the impacts of the influence factors on the product quality is performed to obtain the status composite values of the influence factors. Under the condition of poor information and relying on the status composite values based on the cumulative distribution, a quality-achieving reliability function is established to reflect the quality assurance capability and quality control level of the product and its elements. An experimental investigation of the vibration acceleration of tapered roller bearings demonstrates the application of the proposed model.
Comprehensive Evaluation of Warm SMA Using Wax-Based WMA Additive in Korea
Authors: Kim Yongjoo , Lim Jaekyu , Lee Moonsup , Kwon Sooahn , Hwang Sungdo , Lee Jaejun
Published: October 2014

Conventional stone mastic asphalt (SMA) is being increasingly used in highways and expressways because it provides high rutting resistance, good skid resistance, and noise reduction for heavily trafficked roads. However, the conventional SMA mixture requires high mixing and compacting temperatures to create a suitable coating between the polymer-modified asphalt and large size of aggregate. Warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technology is being extended to provide significant economic benefits when applied to heat sensitive mixture, such as polymer-modified mixture, to reduce mixing and compacting temperatures. In this study, the performance characteristics of SMA–WMA mixture using new polyethylene wax-based WMA additive were evaluated against the conventional SMA mixture without additive, in terms of the moisture susceptibility, viscoelastic properties, rutting resistance at high temperature, fatigue resistance, and crack resistance at low temperature. The mix design was carried out in the laboratory for the conventional SMA mixture, and a similar composition was adopted for the SMA–WMA mixture (with the incorporation of 1.5 % WMA additive in the asphalt binder weight), in order to evaluate the influence of the performance characteristics of the resulting SMA mixture. Drain-Down and Cantabro test results of SMA–WMA mixture meet the requirement of the relevant criteria. Compared to the conventional SMA, the mixtures containing WMA additive show superior performance in moisture susceptibility, rutting resistance at high temperature, fatigue resistance at intermediate temperature, and crack resistance at low temperature. Therefore, this implies that the WMA additive is effective in reducing the production temperature, without compromising the performance of the SMA–WMA mixture.
Regression-Based Stiffness Test for Pallets Based on Sample Period Reduction by Trimming
Authors: You Taewoo , Eom Jae Kyun
Published: October 2014

This article proposes a regression-based stiffness test for pallets based on sample period reduction by trimming. The deflection data are collected from the stiffness tests for pallets, of which one group is from virgin pallets, produced by a Korean and a European vendor, and the other group is from recycle pallets made by a Korean vendor. The data consist of the test sample in normal as well as high temperature condition. Applying the cumulative sum of residuals (CUSUM) and the likelihood ratio (LR) methods, we identify the exact points of structural breaks, thereby rejecting the time-constancy of regression relationship. Specifically, the regression relationship turns out heavily influenced by the initial period of the tests. We remedy the potential biases stemming from the initial period by trimming the initial period out of the sample. It is shown that forecasting performances are substantially improved by the truncation of the first hour data.
A Multi-Criteria Decision Making for Innovation Services Attributes: An Empirical Study of Mobile Banking System
Authors: Lin Wan-Rung , Wang Yi-Hsien , Shih Kuang-Husn
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this paper is to present an evaluation model that adopts an integrated approach for mobile banking service elements selection decision in the banking industry. First, experts are invited to conduct the analytic structure construction for mobile banking service elements selection by identifying necessary criteria and mobile banking service element candidates that can benefit the customer and provide a competitive advantage for banking. Second, the decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method is used to recognize complex relationships and construct a network structure among criteria required by organizations. Third, the analytic network process (ANP) is verified where the criteria are dependent. Finally, the ANP results are applied to the zero–one goal programming (ZOGP) formulation to search out the optimal mobile banking service program portfolio under limited resources and constrained situations. Analysis results indicate that the proposed evaluation model enables a systematic attempt to strengthen banking competitive ability more objectively. The integrated approach can help banking managers to select mobile banking service programs more scientifically and to make decisions more realisticially.
A Novel Method of Measuring Fat Content in Soybean Milk Based on Y-Type Optical Fiber Sensor
Authors: Zhu X. Y. , Zhao Z. M. , Wang L. X. , Zhang L. , Yu Y. S.
Published: October 2014

A new method of measuring fat content in soybean milk at room temperature (25°C) based on the Y-type optical fiber sensor is presented. The measurement system consists of a light source, Y-type optical fiber sensor, detector, thermoelectric cooler (TEC), preamplifier, second-level amplifier, A/D converter, and microprocessor. Based on the Mie theory, the diffuse reflection light intensity is adopted as the optical parameter representing the fat content in soybean milk. In this way the standard model of the system was established based on the diffuse reflection light intensity (the output voltage) of 40 soybean milk samples with different fat content. A prediction was also made to verify the measurement accuracy of the system (the prediction errors are within ±3 % of results). Results of this study indicate the feasibility of using this technology for soybean milk fat analysis that is suitable for the milk laboratory or field analysis.
Resubmitted Sampling Inspection Plan for Exponentiated Weibull Distribution
Authors: Aslam Muhammad , Khan Nasrullah , Ahmad Nisar , Jun Chi-Hyuck
Published: October 2014

This paper provides a resubmitted lot inspection plan based on the truncated life test when the failure time of a product is modeled by the exponentiated Weibull distribution. The plan parameters are determined by solving the optimization problem of minimizing the average sample number while satisfying the producer's and the consumer's risks. The proposed plan was found to be more efficient than the single inspection plan when it was applied in the carbon fiber industry.
Maximum Entropy Analysis to the N Policy M/G/1 Queue with Working Breakdowns
Authors: Chen Jia-Yu , Wang Kuo-Hsiung , Sheu Shin-Pyng , Chou Wen-Kuang
Published: October 2014

This paper deals with the N policy M/G/1 queue with working breakdowns. In this queueing system, the steady-state probabilities cannot be derived explicitly. Thus, we employ a maximum entropy approach with several constraints to develop the approximate formulae for the steady-state probability distributions of queue length and the expected waiting time in the queue. We perform a comparative analysis between the approximate results with established exact results for different service time distributions, such as exponential, two-stage Erlang, two-stage hyper-exponential, and deterministic. Numerical results demonstrate that the maximum entropy approach is quite accurate for practical purposes and is useful for complex queueing-systems solving.
Investigation of Continuously Welded Rail of Ballastless Longitudinal Stress Distribution of Rail Break
Authors: Wang Ke , Liu Chong , Wang Dazhi , Liang Junsheng , Ren Tongqun , Zhang Lihua , Li Liang
Published: October 2014

A three-dimensional ballastless track model was established using a finite element method to simulate the rail condition before and after rail break. The distribution of the rail longitudinal stress was analyzed under certain thermal stress. In addition, experiments were also conducted in order to validate the simulation results using rail longitudinal stress test equipment. It was found that the simulation results agreed reasonably well with the experimental results. The tests show that the simulation results could correctly predict the longitudinal stress distribution in the rail. Finally, rail longitudinal stress distributions under different thermal stress were calculated using this model; this is helpful for future application to determine when and where there may be a rail break.
Validation of an Electronic Sensor Network (ESN) Control Chamber for Monitoring the Soil Decomposition Process of Sago Starch-filled Natural Rubber Latex Films
Authors: Misman M. A. , Azura A. R. , Sidek Othman
Published: October 2014

Biodegradable sago starch-filled natural rubber latex films were subjected to soil decomposition. Decomposition indicators such as temperature, soil pH and humidity, and volume of carbon dioxide and oxygen were monitored via an electronic sensor network (ESN) control chamber. During the assessment, the environmental temperature was kept constant and a small increase in soil humidity was detected. The ESN control chamber detected the increment of soil pH and carbon dioxide level and a decrease in oxygen content during the biodegradation process. The changes in these parameters confirmed the progress of the biodegradation process. The mass loss retention for films was compared with data obtained from the ESN control chamber to get the coefficient of correlation (r) value, which describes the relationships between the two datasets. Scanning electron microscopy images confirmed the formation and growth of microorganism colonies, and Fourier transform infrared analysis indicated the breakage of double-bonded carbon in sago starch-filled natural rubber latex films and carbonyl group intensification, signifying the formation of aldehyde and ketone groups after the fourth week of soil decomposition.
Comparison of Four Different Methods to Determine the Hardness of Plasma-sprayed Cr3C2–NiCr Coating by Nano-indentation
Authors: Zhu Li-na , Xu Bin-shi , Wang Hai-dou , Wang Cheng-biao
Published: October 2014

A Cr3C2–NiCr coating with a thickness of 200 μm was deposited on an AISI 1045 steel substrate using a supersonic plasma-spray technique. The hardness of the Cr3C2–NiCr coating was characterized by a nano-indenter equipped with an atomic force microscope (AFM). The AFM images indicated that the nano-indents on the Cr3C2–NiCr coating exhibited significant “pile-up” deformation. Such pile-up behavior needs to be taken into account in hardness determination because the pile-up height accounts for a large proportion of the indentation depth. In this paper, four different methods are compared to determine the hardness of the Cr3C2–NiCr coating: the Oliver–Pharr method, two work-of-indentation methods (total work of indentation and plastic work of indentation), and an AFM analysis method. The results show that the Oliver–Pharr and work-of-indentation methods overestimated the hardness, and the AFM analysis method is considered as a more accurate method for determining the hardness of the Cr3C2–NiCr coating.