bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased Tidal Dissipation Using Advanced Rheological Models: Implications for Io and Tidally Active Exoplanets
Authors: Renaud Joe P. , Henning Wade G.
Published: April 2018

The advanced rheological models of Andrade and Sundberg & Cooper are compared to the traditional Maxwell model to understand how each affects the tidal dissipation of heat within rocky bodies. We find both Andrade and Sundberg–Cooper rheologies can produce at least 10× the tidal heating compared to a traditional Maxwell model for a warm (1400–1600 K) Io-like satellite. Sundberg–Cooper can cause even larger dissipation around a critical temperature and frequency. These models allow cooler planets to stay tidally active in the face of orbital perturbations—a condition we term “tidal resilience.” This has implications for the time evolution of tidally active worlds and the long-term equilibria they fall into. For instance, if Io’s interior is better modeled by the Andrade or Sundberg–Cooper rheologies, the number of possible resonance-forming scenarios that still produce a hot, modern Io is expanded, and these scenarios do not require an early formation of the Laplace resonance. The two primary empirical parameters that define the Andrade anelasticity are examined in several phase spaces to provide guidance on how their uncertainties impact tidal outcomes, as laboratory studies continue to constrain their real values. We provide detailed reference tables on the fully general equations required for others to insert the models of Andrade and Sundberg–Cooper into standard tidal formulae. Lastly, we show that advanced rheologies can greatly impact the heating of short-period exoplanets and exomoons, while the properties of tidal resilience could mean a greater number of tidally active worlds among all extrasolar systems.
Probing the Production of Extreme-ultraviolet Late-phase Solar Flares Using the Model Enthalpy-based Thermal Evolution of Loops
Authors: Dai Yu , Ding Mingde
Published: April 2018

Recent observations in extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) wavelengths reveal an EUV late phase in some solar flares that is characterized by a second peak in warm coronal emissions (∼3 MK) several tens of minutes to a few hours after the soft X-ray (SXR) peak. Using the model enthalpy-based thermal evolution of loops (EBTEL), we numerically probe the production of EUV late-phase solar flares. Starting from two main mechanisms of producing the EUV late phase, i.e., long-lasting cooling and secondary heating, we carry out two groups of numerical experiments to study the effects of these two processes on the emission characteristics in late-phase loops. In either of the two processes an EUV late-phase solar flare that conforms to the observational criteria can be numerically synthesized. However, the underlying hydrodynamic and thermodynamic evolutions in late-phase loops are different between the two synthetic flare cases. The late-phase peak due to a long-lasting cooling process always occurs during the radiative cooling phase, while that powered by a secondary heating is more likely to take place in the conductive cooling phase. We then propose a new method for diagnosing the two mechanisms based on the shape of EUV late-phase light curves. Moreover, from the partition of energy input, we discuss why most solar flares are not EUV late flares. Finally, by addressing some other factors that may potentially affect the loop emissions, we also discuss why the EUV late phase is mainly observed in warm coronal emissions.
Madicolous Chironomidae from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: a checklist with notes on altitudinal distributions (Diptera, Insecta)
Authors: Shimabukuro Erika Mayumi , Trivinho-Strixino Susana
Published: April 2018

Thin layers of water running over rocky surfaces are characteristic of madicolous habitats, which harbor a peculiar Chironomidae community. However, information on the identity, distribution, and ecology of madicolous chironomids in the Neotropical region are still sparse. The main purpose of this research is to reveal and contribute to the ecology of madicolous Chironomidae species, especially regarding their altitudinal distribution in the Atlantic Forest. Sampling was performed using our own designed emergence traps deployed from 0 to 2700 m a.s.l. in 70 sites in three mountains in southeastern Brazil. Sixty taxa of chironomids were collected and identified, of which only 22 are known to science. Most of the species showed a wider distribution than previously known, both in terms of geographic and altitudinal ranges, while others showed significant association with particular altitudinal bands (as evidenced by the indicator species analysis). Atlantic Forest mountainous regions are known to harbor one of the richest fauna in the world and have been suffering from several types of environmental impacts, including climate change, which will especially affect taxa living in specialized habitats. The narrow range of tolerance to environmental conditions verified for mountain species, and the fact that many of them are rare and endemic, make the conservation efforts in these areas indispensable.
Besoins et attentes des personnes vivant avec un asthme chronique quant à l’accompagnement proposé par les professionnels de la santé belges
Authors: Seret Jehan , Pirson Magali , Penson Florence , Lefebvre Hélène , Lecocq Dan
Published: April 2018

Introduction : l’asthme constitue un problème majeur de Santé Publique avec 300.000.000 de personnes touchées au niveau mondial et un faible taux d’adhésion au traitement. Contexte : peu d’auteurs se sont penchés sur un des déterminants de cette adhésion : l’accompagnement proposé par les professionnels de la santé. Objectifs : décrire les besoins et les attentes des personnes vivant avec un asthme chronique quant à cet accompagnement. Méthode : approche qualitative à visée descriptive avec échantillonnage raisonné. Huit entretiens individuels semi-directifs ont été réalisés avec des patients adultes asthmatiques chroniques puis ont fait l’objet d’une analyse de contenu inductive, soumise à validation par les participants. Résultats : les besoins et attentes se répartissent en six grands thèmes : le souhait que s’installe une relation de confiance, la nécessité de percevoir la compétence professionnelle, l’importance de la disponibilité du professionnel, la volonté d’être davantage acteur de sa vie avec la maladie, le désir que le professionnel adopte une posture humaniste et prenne en compte la singularité du patient. Conclusion : une meilleure compréhension des attentes non rencontrées contribuerait à l’amélioration de l’adhésion au traitement. Cette recherche qualitative ouvre diverses pistes de réflexion et peut constituer le terreau d’autres études.
Isolement et contention en psychiatrie, facteurs d’influence et alternatives
Authors: Morisset Jérôme
Published: April 2018

Introduction et contexte : l’utilisation de l’isolement et de la contention n’est ni une pratique récente ni une pratique rare dans les services de psychiatrie. En France, certaines dérives ont été rapportées en 2015 par le Contrôleur Général des Lieux de Privations de Liberté. Depuis, les pouvoirs publics cherchent à encadrer cette pratique dans le but de limiter son utilisation. Objectif et méthode : le but de cette étude est de voir comment, au travers d’une revue de la littérature, est abordé le sujet de la limitation des mesures de contraintes de par le monde et de définir une direction future de recherche. Résultats : il apparaît que les professionnels de santé cherchent à identifier les caractéristiques culturelles, sociales et environnementales des patients qui subissent ces mesures de contraintes. Mais ils questionnent également leurs approches, tant sur un plan éthique, environnemental, organisationnel ou de démarche soignante. Conclusion : la coordination au sein de l’équipe pluridisciplinaire est abordée mais peu traitée dans cette revue de littérature. La place donnée au rôle infirmier semble pourtant à questionner, tant sur son approche spécifique, son expertise, que son champ d’action et doit faire l’objet d’une nouvelle étude.
Development of reading comprehension with graphic organizers for students with dyslexia
Authors: Lopez Jacqueline , Campoverde Johnny
Published: April 2018

The executed research will permit the creation and design of a handbook with easy-to-read stories that would increase their receptive abilities in a foreign language in the learning process of students with learning disabilities (dyslexia). This academic work has also the aim of analyzing the impact of graphic organizers in the development of reading comprehension accordance  with the level of English of each student. The theoretical foundation is constructed by the contents previously defined in the problem; with specific bibliography for the scientific content. Statistical analyses of information were taken into consideration. These analyses determined the importance of the implementation of a handbook that would include a short and a long text, vocabulary in context, strategies to improve reading skills, and unit assessments to evaluate the knowledge of students in each unit. This will let the students to develop multiple skills with the guidance of the teacher. This innovative material has as a main target to help the learner to decode phonemes and to identify structures of the story through charts and pictures.
Time Driven Activity Based Costing (TDABC) Model for Cost Estimation of Assembly for a SSI
Authors: Ganorkar Ashwin Bhimrao , Lakhe Ramesh Ramchandra , Agrawal Kamalkishor N.
Published: April 2018

Costing is an important issue in a competitive world. Many companies had adopted TDABC for better cost visibility. Assembly is very common activity in the small scale industries (SSI). In a SSI, many operations like riveting, drilling, fastening, loosening and tightening, hammering, labeling, aligning, etc. are carried out at the time of assembly. Also the sequence and the time of the operating vary for each product. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate the cost of complex assembly. This paper proposed a time driven activity based costing (TDABC) model to estimate the cost of assembly for SSI. TDABC uses time equations to estimate the time required for an activity. A new approach to develop the time equation using maynard operation sequence technique (MOST) is presented. This paper also presents the modification in the time equation to handle the complexity of the activity. The application of the model is presented with the case study. The cost analysis helps to identify the opportunities for low cost assembly solution.
Optimizing Design of the Cutting Tool in Cutting of Ultra-High Strength Steel Beam Part
Authors: Dong Liang , Li Cong , Li Shu Hui
Published: April 2018

In this research, the cutting process of a martensitic Ultra-High Strength Steel (UHSS) beam is investigated by using finite element method. The Modified Mohr-Coulomb fracture criterion (MMC) is employed in numerical simulation to calculate the ductile fracture during the process evolution. Tensile specimens are designed to obtain various stress states in tension. Equivalent fracture strains are measured with Digital Image Correlation (DIC) equipment to constitute the fracture locus. Based on the simulation, the local load situation of wear serious areas of the cutting tool is studied and the wear reason is explained. Optimizing design scheme for the tool profile is proposed to improve the tool wear. The optimized cutting tool is adopted in the actual industrial production and the wear life cycle is improved up to 14000 times cutting frequency compared with 4000 times cutting frequency for the original tool. The practice results demonstrate that the optimizing design scheme for the tool profile is very successfully.
Characterizing of Anisotropy and Asymmetry of Tubular Materials
Authors: Li Heng , Yang Heng , Ma Jun , Feng Zhen Yong
Published: April 2018

Titanium tubular materials with high strength, long-lifetime and light weight has attracted wide attention in many industries such as aerospace, energy and chemistry. While, titanium tubular materials are subjected to complex multiple thermal-mechanical processing, and generally present pronounced anisotropy/asymmetry properties, which greatly affects the formability and the performance of the tubular materials. Meanwhile, thin-walled tubular materials are difficult-to-characterizing materials. Thus, how to accurately and comprehensively characterize the mechanical properties is the most vital issue and precondition for innovative design of the fabricating and forming of the tubular materials and components. However, the hollow structure of tubular materials, especially thin-walled geometry, makes the testing and characterizing of the mechanical properties a challenge. In this research, a general testing and characterizing framework is developed to determine anisotropic and asymmetrical mechanical properties for tubular materials. In the framework, Knoop microhardness is first employed to qualitatively identify anisotropy and asymmetry of titanium tubes. The basic tension and compression mechanical properties along axial direction are determined by mean of uniaxial tensile and compressive tests. Combined with tension and compression tests, the viscoplastic self-consistent crystal plasticity (VPSC) is calibrated to complement the deformation behaviors along other different loading directions. Taking Ti-3Al-2.5V titanium tube and commercial pure titanium (CP-Ti) tube as the case materials, the application of the above framework for the mandrel bending demonstrates the feasibility of the proposed methodology.
Finite Element Simulation of Rotating Compression Forming
Authors: Hwang Yeong Maw , Jhuang K.S. , Yu Hao Cheng
Published: April 2018

In this study, finite element analyses of Rotating Compression Forming (RCF) of magnesium alloy AZ31 with 20mm in diameter are carried out. A commercial software DEFORM-3D is used to simulate the plastic deformation behavior of magnesium alloy during rotating compression forming processes. Various forming parameters, such as the compression pressures (55, 60, 62 MPa), rotation speeds (10, 20, 30 rpm), rotation numbers (10, 20, 30 revolutions) and forming temperatures (280°C, 320°C, 360°C), are used in the FE simulation to obtain different effective strain distributions. Observation of the gradient microstructure and hardness measurement in the specimens of Magnesium alloy are carried out. From the comparisons of effective strain distributions and the obtained grain size distributions. It is known that a larger effective strain corresponds to a smaller grain size and the maximum effective strain is occurred at the middle of the contact plane of the specimen. Larger effective strain gradients generated with compression pressure of 62 MPa and rotation number of 30 revolutions at the radius of 4 mm.
Grain Size Effect on Optimum Clearance Determination in Blanking Non-Oriented Electrical Steel Sheet
Authors: Wang Zhe , Cui Rong Gao , Wang Xin Ke , He Ji , Li Shu Hui
Published: April 2018

Non-oriented electrical steel, as the core magnetic material, is firstly blanked into lamination in motor manufacturing. As for the newly developed steel, there is a general tendency toward thinner and coarser-grained. Due to blanking clearance and thickness are both down to the sub-millimeter scale, grain size becomes an important role in formation of blanked edge quality, which mainly determines the deterioration level of magnetic properties. This paper aims to systemically investigate the influence of blanking clearance and grain size on blanked edge quality. In this research, non-oriented electrical steel sheets of the same chemical composition, 3 thicknesses and 3 grain sizes are prepared for blanking tests over the conventional relative blanking clearance range. The blanking edges are quantitatively examined by means of optical microscopy to visualize the distribution of plastic deformation. The results show that there exists an optimum clearance that leads to a fine blanked edge. In further study, an approximate linear equation of the ratio of clearance/grain size (c/D) vs. D is found for optimizing the blanked edge quality. This research thus provides an in-depth understanding and guidance for optimum blanking clearance determination influenced by size effect.
Deep Drawability of Ti/Steel/Ti Laminated Sheets
Authors: Harada Yasunori , Ono Hiroto , Nishikubo Yuki
Published: April 2018

Cladding is the bonding together of dissimilar metals. One of clad products is the titanium clad steel sheet. It is effective to cover with pure titanium sheet to improve the corrosion resistance of the steel sheet. Titanium clad steel sheets are often achieved by rolling sheets together under high pressure. In the current study, the blank comprising three laminar non-bonded sheets, such as the titanium/steel/titanium sheet, is arranged in the die. The formability of pure titanium clad sheet by multistage deep drawing was investigated to enhance corrosion resistance of steel cup. In the experiment, the blanks were pure titanium sheets JIS1-TP270, JIS2-TP340, ultralow-carbon steel SPCC, and stainless steel SUS316L. The initial thickness of the sheet was 0.2 to 0.5 mm in thickness. The blank diameter was 70 mm. The blanks are merely adjacent sheet; however, not joined with each other. In the deep drawing process, a hydraulic press was used in the experiment and the forming speed for the press was about 10 mm/min. The lubricant used was the solid powders of molybdenum disulfide. For the prevention, pure titanium blank was treated by oxide coating. The conditions of heat treatment were annealed at 973 K for 3.6 ks to 7.2 ks. By oxide coating, the titanium sheet has sufficient ability in preventing the seizure in multistage deep drawing. The drawn cups of the three-layer laminated sheet were formed. The seizure did not cause. The oxidatively-treated titanium sheets have sufficient ability in preventing the seizure. In addition, the clad cups until 6th stage were formed by multistage deep drawing. Long clad cups were successfully formed in multistage deep drawing process.
Influence of Laser Shot Peening Parameters on the Surface Hardness and Roughness of 7075 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Zhang Jun Hao , Cheng Xiu Quan , Xia Qin Xiang , Li Jia Yu
Published: April 2018

The laser shot peening has the widely application prospect in aircraft structural parts repairment. The influence of laser shot peening parameters on the surface hardness and surface roughness has guiding significance for laser shot peening process. The variation law of surface hardness and surface roughness in the peening area of 7075 aluminum alloy were obtained based on the experiment research. The results show that the surface hardness improves effectively after laser shot peening, and the maximum hardness is 205.4HV, which is improved by 19.49% compared with the original hardness. Besides, the surface roughness of the rough specimen decreases; whereas, those of the smooth specimen increases after laser shot peening. However, both the surface hardness and surface roughness tend to be saturated when the impact times exceeds 3 times or the overlap rate exceeds 50%. Therefore, a good repairment effect can be obtained with 3 impact times and 50% overlap rate for the 7075 aluminum alloy specimen.
Church-state relations in South Africa, Zambia and Malawi in light of the fall of the Berlin Wall (October 1989)
Authors: Gundani Paul
Published: April 2018

The fall of the Berlin Wall in October 1989 bears a striking resonance with the biblical fracturing of the curtain in the Jerusalem temple. It presaged the death of the post-war dispensation of Church-state relations characterised by a Church that was, in the main, subservient, acquiescent and complicit to the apartheid regime in South Africa, as well as the oppressive one-party state regimes north of the Limpopo. As the Berlin Wall collapsed, the dispensation characterised by either neutrality or docility and co-option of the Church to the Apartheid and Independent states gave way to the birth of a ‘prophetic’ Church, which would not only gain a new lease on life, but would become a robust interlocutor of the post-Cold War state. The latter is exemplified by historical signposts such as the Rustenburg Declaration (1990), the Pastoral letter of the Zambia Catholic Bishops Conference (1990) and the Pastoral letter by the Catholic Bishops of Malawi (1992), among others. This paper is an analytical desktop study, which will be based on the published literature.
Die Tora as die sleutel tot die verstaan van die verhouding tussen God en mens: ’n Verbondsmatig-Christologiese perspektief
Authors: De Wit De Koning Jacobus
Published: April 2018

The Torah as the key to the understanding of the relationship between God and man: A covenantal-Christological perspective. This article indicates that the understanding and handling of the law of Moses, as found in the federal theology of the Westminster Confession of Faith, can easily lead to the relationship between God and man being understood as a legal relationship in which the covenant acquires the character of a bilateral contract. This article questions this view after looking at the nature of Moses’ law as Torah. Such understanding indicates the inextricable unity between law and covenant. As a next step, it is therefore indicated that Jesus Christ fulfils this Torah to such an extent that it can be said that he himself takes on the function of the Torah in the life of the Christian. Indeed, Jesus is the Torah under the new covenant. In conclusion, the implications for the life of the New Testament Christian are briefly touched upon.
Elephant shrews as hosts of immature ixodid ticks
Authors: Fourie L.J. , Horak I.G. , Woodall P.F.
Published: April 2018

Two hundred and seventy-three elephant shrews, consisting of 193 Elephantulus myurus, 67 Elephantulus edwardii and 13 animals belonging to other species, were examined for ixodid ticks at 18 localities in South Africa and Namibia. The immature stages of Ixodes rubicundus, Rhipicentor nuttalli, Rhipicephalus warburtoni and a Rhipicephalus pravus-like tick were the most numerous of the 18 tick species recovered. Substantial numbers of immature Rhipicephalus arnoldi, Rhipicephalus distinctus and Rhipicephalus exophthalmos were also collected from elephant shrews at particular localities. Larvae of I. rubicundus were most numerous on E. myurus in Free State Province from April to July and nymphs from June to October. Larvae of R. nuttalli were most numerous on these animals during April, May, August and September, and nymphs in February and from April to August. The immature stages of R. warburton were collected from E. myurus only in Free State Province, and larvae were generally most numerous from December to August and nymphs from April to October.
Repatriation turnover revisited: A focus on South African multinational enterprises
Authors: Naude Christiaan J. , Vogel A. Johan
Published: April 2018

Background: The topic of repatriation turnover as a major source of concern for repatriates and their multinational enterprise has been covered extensively in the literature over the years, with the literature showing that between 15% and 38% of repatriated expatriates leave the employment of their multinational enterprise within the first year after repatriation. However, no such study has focused on the repatriation of South African expatriates. Aim: The primary aim of this study was to determine if there is a correlation between the repatriation practices of South African multinational enterprises and their repatriation turnover rates. The secondary aim of the study was to determine why repatriated employees leave the employment of South African multinational enterprises. Method: This quantitative study surveyed 41 expatriate managers of South African multinational enterprises, with the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient being used to test for correlations between the repatriation practices of South African multinational enterprises and their repatriation turnover rates. Results: The results revealed positive correlations between appointing a mentor to an expatriate to assist with the repatriation process, conducting an orientation programme prior to repatriation and supporting the expatriate with various initiatives during repatriation and lower repatriation turnover rates. Meanwhile a negative correlation was found between when a multinational enterprise starts with an orientation programme prior to repatriation and repatriation turnover rates. Conclusion: These findings provide valuable insights for South African multinational enterprises into practices they can employ to reduce their repatriation turnover rates.
APSS-ASJ Best Clinical Research Award: Predictability of Curve Progression in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using the Distal Radius and Ulna Classification
Authors: Cheung Jason Pui Yin , Cheung Prudence Wing Hang , Samartzis Dino , Luk Keith Dip-Kei
Published: April 2018

Study Design

Prospective study.

Purpose

To determine the risk of clinically significant curve progression in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) based on the initial Cobb angle and to test the utility of the distal radius and ulna (DRU) classification in predicting these outcomes.

Overview of Literature

Determining the remaining growth potential in AIS patients is necessary for predicting prognosis and initiating treatment. Limiting the maturity Cobb angle to <40° and <50° reduces the risk of adulthood progression and need for surgery, respectively. The risk of curve progression is the greatest with skeletally immature patients and thus warrants close monitoring or early intervention. Many parameters exist for measuring the skeletal maturity status in AIS patients, but the DRU classification has been shown to be superior in predicting peak growth and growth cessation. However, its predictive capabilities for curve progression are unknown.

Methods

Totally, 513 AIS patients who presented with Risser 0–3 were followed until either skeletal maturity or the need for surgery, with a minimum 2-year follow-up period. Outcomes of 40° and 50° were used for probability analysis based on the cut-offs of adulthood progression risk and surgical threshold, respectively.

Results

At the R6/U5 grade, most curves (probability of ≥48.1%–55.5%) beyond a Cobb angle of 25° progressed to the 40° threshold. For curves of ≥35°, there was a high risk of unfavorable outcomes, regardless of skeletal maturity. Most patients with the R9 grade did not progress, regardless of the initial curve magnitude (probability of 0% to reach the 50° threshold for an initial Cobb angle of ≥35°).

Conclusions

This large-scale study illustrates the utility of the DRU classification for predicting curve progression and how it may effectively guide the timing of surgery. Bracing may be indicated for skeletally immature patients at an initial Cobb angle of 25°, and those with a scoliosis ≥35° are at an increased risk of an unfavorable outcome, despite being near skeletal maturity.
Morphometric Evaluation of Occipital Condyles: Defining Optimal Trajectories and Safe Screw Lengths for Occipital Condyle-Based Occipitocervical Fixation in Indian Population
Authors: Bosco Aju , Venugopal Prakash , Shetty Ajoy Prasad , Shanmuganathan Rajasekaran , Kanna Rishi Mugesh
Published: April 2018

Study Design

Computed tomographic (CT) morphometric analysis.

Purpose

To assess the feasibility and safety of occipital condyle (OC)-based occipitocervical fixation (OCF) in Indians and to define anatomical zones and screw lengths for safe screw placement.

Overview of Literature

Limitations of occipital squama-based OCF has led to development of two novel OC-based OCF techniques.

Methods

Morphometric analysis was performed on the OCs of 70 Indian adults. The feasibility of placing a 3.5-mm-diameter screw into OCs was investigated. Safe trajectories and screw lengths for OC screws and C0–C1 transarticular screws without hypoglossal canal or atlantooccipital joint compromise were estimated.

Results

The average screw length and safe sagittal and medial angulations for OC screws were 19.9±2.3 mm, ≤6.4°±2.4° cranially, and 31.1°±3° medially, respectively. An OC screw could not be accommodated by 27% of the population. The safe sagittal angles and screw lengths for C0–C1 transarticular screw insertion (48.9°±5.7° cranial, 26.7±2.9 mm for junctional entry technique; 36.7°±4.6° cranial, 31.6±2.7 mm for caudal C1 arch entry technique, respectively) were significantly different than those in other populations. The risk of vertebral artery injury was high for the caudal C1 arch entry technique. Screw placement was uncertain in 48% of Indians due to the presence of aberrant anatomy.

Conclusions

There were significant differences in the metrics of OC-based OCF between Indian and other populations. Because of the smaller occipital squama dimensions in Indians, OC-based OCF techniques may have a higher application rate and could be a viable alternative/salvage option in selected cases. Preoperative CT, including three-dimensional-CT-angiography (to delineate vertebral artery course), is imperative to avoid complications resulting from aberrant bony and vascular anatomy. Our data can serve as a valuable reference guide in placing these screws safely under fluoroscopic guidance.
Relationship between Displacement of the Psoas Major Muscle and Spinal Alignment in Patients with Adult Spinal Deformity
Authors: Oda Yoshiaki , Takigawa Tomoyuki , Ugawa Ryo , Shiozaki Yasuyuki , Misawa Haruo , Sugimoto Yoshihisa , Tanaka Masato , Ozaki Toshifumi
Published: April 2018

Study Design

Cross sectional study.

Purpose

To clarify the difference in position of the psoas muscle between adult spinal deformity (ASD) and lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Overview of Literature

Although it is known that the psoas major muscle deviates in ASD patients, no report is available regarding the difference in comparison with LSS patients.

Methods

This study investigates 39 patients. For evaluating spinal alignment, pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI), sacral slope, lumbar lordosis (LL), PI–LL, Cobb angle, and the convex side, the lumbar curves were measured. For measuring the position of the psoas major at the L4/5 disk level, magnetic resonance imaging was used. The displacements of psoas major muscle were measured separately in the anterior–posterior and lateral directions. We examined the relationship between the radiographic parameters and anterior displacement (AD) and lateral displacement (LD) of the psoas major muscle.

Results

AD was demonstrated in 15 cases with ASD and nine cases with LSS (p>0.05). LD was observed in 13 cases with ASD and no cases with LSS (p<0.01). The Cobb angle was significantly greater in cases with AD than in those without AD (p=0.04). PT, LL, PI–LL, and Cobb angle were significantly greater in cases with LD (p<0.05). All cases with LD had AD, but no case without AD had LD (p<0.001). The side of greater displacement at L4/5 and the convex side of the lumbar curve were consistent in all cases.

Conclusions

Despite AD being observed in LSS as well, LD was observed only in the ASD group. Radiographic parameters were worse when LD was seen, rather than AD.
Outreach Preferences for Water Resource Information from Extension and Other Sources
Authors: Gholson Drew M. , Boellstorff Diane E. , Cummings Scott R. , Wagner Kevin L. , Dozier Monty C.
Published: April 2018

Core Ideas

This study assessed outreach effectiveness and audiences’ preferences for learning about water issues.

This study evaluates possible trends in preferences for information sources related to socio‐demographic variables.

Random sample survey of Texans to evaluate citizen awareness, attitudes, and willingness to act on water issues.

This study assesses outreach effectiveness for particular populations and audiences’ media preferences for learning about water issues and examines preferences for additional information on particular water resource topics, including possible trends in information sources related to socio‐demographic changes from 2008 to 2014. City and municipal water districts reached the greatest number of people with 68.2% of those surveyed and 73.9% of respondents living within city limits (p < 0.0001) receiving water information from these sources. Protecting drinking water supplies (57.4%) and water management for home and garden landscaping (55.8%) were the water resource topics of greatest interests to respondents. Interest in the home and garden landscaping topic increased from 34.1% in 2008 to almost 60% in 2014. This study reports water resource topical areas of greatest interest and preferred methods for reaching various demographic groups, including the growing urban sector. This information is critically important to financially limited organizations disseminating water resource information, including extension, environmental agencies and groups, and cities and water districts, as they seek to efficiently encourage the public to adopt appropriate water resource management and water conservation practices.
Guide for Reliability Analysis Using the Physics-of-Failure Process
Authors:   Ground Vehicle Reliability Committee
Published: April 2018

The Physics-of-Failure (PoF) is a science-based approach to reliability that uses modeling and simulation to design-in reliability. This approach models the root causes of failures such as fatigue, fracture, wear, and corrosion. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) tools have been developed to address various loads, stresses, failure mechanisms and sites. PoF uses knowledge of basic failure processes to prevent failures through robust design and manufacturing practices, and aims to:

Design-in reliability up front;

Eliminate failures prior to testing;

Increase fielded reliability;

Promote rapid, cost effective deployment of Health and Usage Monitoring Systems (HUMS);

Improve diagnostic and prognostic techniques and processes; and,

Decrease operational and support costs.

This guide provides a high level overview of the methodology, process and advantages to performing a PoF assessment.
Genetic background of coat colour in sheep
Authors: Koseniuk Anna , Ropka-Molik Katarzyna , Rubiś Dominika , Smołucha Grzegorz
Published: April 2018

Abstract. The coat colour of animals is an extremely important trait that affects their behaviour and is decisive for survival in the natural environment. In farm animal breeding, as a result of the selection of a certain coat colour type, animals are characterized by a much greater variety of coat types. This makes them an appropriate model in research in this field. A very important aspect of the coat colour types of farm animals is distinguishing between breeds and varieties based on this trait. Furthermore, for the sheep breeds which are kept for skins and wool, coat/skin colour is an important economic trait. Until now the study of coat colour inheritance in sheep proved the dominance of white colour over pigmented/black coat or skin and of black over brown. Due to the current knowledge of the molecular basis of ovine coat colour inheritance, there is no molecular test to distinguish coat colour types in sheep although some are available for other species, such as cattle, dogs, and horses. Understanding the genetic background of variation in one of the most important phenotypic traits in livestock would help to identify new genes which have a great effect on the coat colour type. Considering that coat colour variation is a crucial trait for discriminating between breeds (including sheep), it is important to broaden our knowledge of the genetic background of pigmentation. The results may be used in the future to determine the genetic pattern of a breed. Until now, identified candidate genes that have a significant impact on colour type in mammals mainly code for factors located in melanocytes. The proposed candidate genes code for the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), agouti signaling protein (ASIP), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor MITF, and v-kit Hardy–Zuckerman 4 feline sarcoma viral oncogene homologue (KIT). However, there is still no conclusive evidence of established polymorphisms for specific coat colour types in sheep.
Understanding meteorological influences on PM2.5 concentrations across China: a temporal and spatial perspective
Authors: Chen Ziyue , Xie Xiaoming , Cai Jun , Chen Danlu , Gao Bingbo , He Bin , Cheng Nianliang , Xu Bing
Published: April 2018

Abstract. With frequent air pollution episodes in China, growing research emphasis has been put on quantifying meteorological influences on PM2.5 concentrations. However, these studies mainly focus on isolated cities, whilst meteorological influences on PM2.5 concentrations at the national scale have not yet been examined comprehensively. This research employs the CCM (convergent cross-mapping) method to understand the influence of individual meteorological factors on local PM2.5 concentrations in 188 monitoring cities across China. Results indicate that meteorological influences on PM2.5 concentrations have notable seasonal and regional variations. For the heavily polluted North China region, when PM2.5 concentrations are high, meteorological influences on PM2.5 concentrations are strong. The dominant meteorological influence for PM2.5 concentrations varies across locations and demonstrates regional similarities. For the most polluted winter, the dominant meteorological driver for local PM2.5 concentrations is mainly the wind within the North China region, whilst precipitation is the dominant meteorological influence for most coastal regions. At the national scale, the influence of temperature, humidity and wind on PM2.5 concentrations is much larger than that of other meteorological factors. Amongst eight factors, temperature exerts the strongest and most stable influence on national PM2.5 concentrations in all seasons. Due to notable temporal and spatial differences in meteorological influences on local PM2.5 concentrations, this research suggests pertinent environmental projects for air quality improvement should be designed accordingly for specific regions.
Particulate barium tracing of significant mesopelagic carbon remineralisation in the North Atlantic
Authors: Lemaitre Nolwenn , Planquette Hélène , Planchon Frédéric , Sarthou Géraldine , Jacquet Stéphanie , García-Ibáñez Maribel I. , Gourain Arthur , Cheize Marie , Monin Laurence , André Luc , Laha Priya , Terryn Herman , Dehairs Frank
Published: April 2018

Abstract. The remineralisation of sinking particles by prokaryotic heterotrophic activity is important for controlling oceanic carbon sequestration. Here, we report mesopelagic particulate organic carbon (POC) remineralisation fluxes in the North Atlantic along the GEOTRACES-GA01 section (GEOVIDE cruise; May–June 2014) using the particulate biogenic barium (excess barium; Baxs) proxy. Important mesopelagic (100–1000 m) Baxs differences were observed along the transect depending on the intensity of past blooms, the phytoplankton community structure, and the physical forcing, including downwelling. The subpolar province was characterized by the highest mesopelagic Baxs content (up to 727 pmol L−1), which was attributed to an intense bloom averaging 6 mg chl a m−3 between January and June 2014 and by an intense 1500 m deep convection in the central Labrador Sea during the winter preceding the sampling. This downwelling could have promoted a deepening of the prokaryotic heterotrophic activity, increasing the Baxs content. In comparison, the temperate province, characterized by the lowest Baxs content (391 pmol L−1), was sampled during the bloom period and phytoplankton appear to be dominated by small and calcifying species, such as coccolithophorids. The Baxs content, related to oxygen consumption, was converted into a remineralisation flux using an updated relationship, proposed for the first time in the North Atlantic. The estimated fluxes were of the same order of magnitude as other fluxes obtained using independent methods (moored sediment traps, incubations) in the North Atlantic. Interestingly, in the subpolar and subtropical provinces, mesopelagic POC remineralisation fluxes (up to 13 and 4.6 mmol C m−2 d−1, respectively) were equalling and occasionally even exceeding upper-ocean POC export fluxes, deduced using the 234Th method. These results highlight the important impact of the mesopelagic remineralisation on the biological carbon pump of the studied area with a near-zero, deep (> 1000 m) carbon sequestration efficiency in spring 2014.
Incorporation of the equilibrium temperature approach in a Soil and Water Assessment Tool hydroclimatological stream temperature model
Authors: Du Xinzhong , Shrestha Narayan Kumar , Ficklin Darren L. , Wang Junye
Published: April 2018

Abstract. Stream temperature is an important indicator for biodiversity and
sustainability in aquatic ecosystems. The stream temperature model currently
in the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) only considers the impact of air
temperature on stream temperature, while the hydroclimatological stream
temperature model developed within the SWAT model considers hydrology and the
impact of air temperature in simulating the water–air heat transfer process.
In this study, we modified the hydroclimatological model by including the
equilibrium temperature approach to model heat transfer processes at the
water–air interface, which reflects the influences of air temperature, solar
radiation, wind speed and streamflow conditions on the heat transfer process.
The thermal capacity of the streamflow is modeled by the variation of the
stream water depth. An advantage of this equilibrium temperature model is the
simple parameterization, with only two parameters added to model the heat
transfer processes. The equilibrium temperature model proposed in this study
is applied and tested in the Athabasca River basin (ARB) in Alberta, Canada.
The model is calibrated and validated at five stations throughout different
parts of the ARB, where close to monthly samplings of stream temperatures are
available. The results indicate that the equilibrium temperature model
proposed in this study provided better and more consistent performances for
the different regions of the ARB with the values of the Nash–Sutcliffe
Efficiency coefficient (NSE) greater than those of the original SWAT model
and the hydroclimatological model. To test the model performance for
different hydrological and environmental conditions, the equilibrium
temperature model was also applied to the North Fork Tolt River Watershed in
Washington, United States. The results indicate a reasonable simulation of
stream temperature using the model proposed in this study, with minimum
relative error values compared to the other two models. However, the NSE
values were lower than those of the hydroclimatological model, indicating
that more model verification needs to be done. The equilibrium temperature
model uses existing SWAT meteorological data as input, can be calibrated
using fewer parameters and less effort and has an overall better performance
in stream temperature simulation. Thus, it can be used as an effective tool
for predicting the changes in stream temperature regimes under varying
hydrological and meteorological conditions. In addition, the impact of the
stream temperature simulations on chemical reaction rates and concentrations
was tested. The results indicate that the improved performance of the stream
temperature simulation could significantly affect chemical reaction rates and
the simulated concentrations, and the equilibrium temperature model could be
a potential tool to model stream temperature in water quality simulations.
Brief communication: Loss of life due to Hurricane Harvey
Authors: Jonkman Sebastiaan N. , Godfroy Maartje , Sebastian Antonia , Kolen Bas
Published: April 2018

Abstract. An analysis was made of the loss of life caused by
Hurricane Harvey. Information was collected for 70 fatalities that occurred
due to the event and were recovered within the first 2 weeks after
landfall. Most fatalities occurred due to drowning (81 %), particularly in
and around vehicles. Males (70 %) and people over 50 years old (56 %)
were overrepresented in the dataset. More than half of the fatalities
occurred in the greater Houston area (n = 37), where heavy rainfall and dam
releases caused unprecedented urban flooding. The majority of fatalities were
recovered outside the designated 100- and 500-year flood hazard areas.
Influencia de las habilidades lingüísticas en las estrategias lectoras de estudiantes sordos
Authors: González Santamaría Virginia , Domínguez Gutiérrez Ana Belén
Published: April 2018

El presente estudio examina, por un lado, la relación entre el uso de implantes cocleares (ICs) y los mecanismos implicados en la adquisición de la lectura en estudiantes sordos con y sin implante coclear, especialmente en aquellos que han recibido el implante de forma precoz, y por otro, los mecanismos que subyacen al aprendizaje de la lectura y las bases lingüísticas implicadas (sintaxis y vocabulario). Algunos estudios han puesto de manifiesto el uso continuo de la Estrategia de Palabras Clave en las personas sordas. Esta estrategia consiste en identificar las palabras con contenido semántico propio e ignorar las palabras funcionales. Fueron evaluados 172 estudiantes sordos y 797 estudiantes oyentes mediante una prueba que determina el nivel lector y tres pruebas, que evalúan el tipo de estrategia empleada en la lectura, y la competencia sintáctica y de vocabulario. Los resultados muestran que los estudiantes sordos, incluido el grupo de implantados precoces, usan la Estrategia de Palabras Clave. El uso de esta estrategia se debe a dificultades lingüísticas y una baja capacidad para manejar palabras funcionales. El grado de pérdida auditiva para alumnos con ICs, la edad de implantación y el nivel lector alcanzado (en todos los grupos de sordos) desempeña un papel importante en el uso de la Estrategia de Palabras Clave. En esta situación, se derivan algunas implicaciones educativas.
Intervención logopédica en la feminización de la voz en transexuales: revisión bibliográfica
Authors: Gómez-Raya Alejandra
Published: April 2018

La transexualidad es un trastorno en el cual entran en conflicto el sexo fisiológico y el género de una persona. Las personas transexuales sienten el deseo de pertenecer al sexo con el que realmente se identifican y esto les lleva a realizar ciertas acciones para cambiar su apariencia. La mujer transexual no alcanzará la feminización de su voz mediante el tratamiento hormonal, siendo sus opciones: la cirugía de las cuerdas vocales y/o la intervención logopédica.La presente revisión bibliográfica tiene como objetivo exponer aspectos relevantes y proporcionar información amplia sobre el trabajo logopédico en el tratamiento de la feminización de la voz, en transexuales de hombre a mujer, como intervención única, no complementaria a la intervención quirúrgica. Para llevar a cabo una revisión bibliográfica descriptiva se realiza la búsqueda de artículos científicos en las fuentes secundarias PubMed y Scopus. Utilizando una metodología cualitativa, se obtiene un listado de 25 artículos, en cada una, que se acota con filtros y criterios de inclusión y exclusión, dando como resultado una lista de 7 artículos finales. En cuanto a los resultados, todos los artículos concluyen con resultados positivos de la terapia vocal en mujeres transexuales, destacando especialmente los objetivos relativos al aumento de la frecuencia fundamental y al aumento de las frecuencias formantes.En conclusión, se halla información que demuestra que la terapia logopédica puede ser eficaz en la feminización de la voz en la población transexual. Sin embargo, el escaso número de artículos impide hacer generalizaciones universales.