bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and low-cost, green synthesis of Zn2+ doped MgO nanoparticles
Authors: Mohammad Shafiee Mohammad Reza , Kargar Mahboubeh , Ghashang Majid
Published: April 2018

The synthesis of oxides has a significant role in their improved properties. This is why a green method is used to gain stable oxide nanoparticles. Zn2+ doped magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles were synthesized through a green method, extracting Aloe vera latex media. The green method has the advantages of being a cost-effective, innocuous, eco-friendly method. Firstly, thanks to the structure of Aloe vera latex, its extract has an important role in morphology, and crystal size of MgO structure, which leads to homogenous nanoparticles dispersion. The elliptical particles with ranges from 45 nm to 65 nm were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Furthermore, the effect of calcination temperature was investigated, showing that increasing calcination temperature made larger particles with sharper peaks in X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The strain value (ε) and crystallite size by Williamson-Hall (nm), dislocation density, and crystallinity index were evaluated. Finally, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the doping of Zn2+ in MgO nanoparticles. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and HRTEM analyses were also used.
Optimization of lipase-catalyzed synthesis of polyethylene glycol stearate in a solvent-free system
Authors: Nhivekar Girish S. , Rathod Virendra K.
Published: April 2018

Polyethylene glycol stearate is widely used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetic industries. The current work describes the synthesis and optimization of polyethylene glycol stearate by esterification of polyethylene glycol 600 and stearic acid using Fermase CALBex 10000, a commercial immobilized lipase B in a solvent-free system. The impact of various parameters that include temperature, reaction time, biocatalyst loading, agitation, acid to alcohol molar ratio, and amount of molecular sieves was optimized to achieve maximum conversion. The highest conversion of 86.98% was obtained in 6 h under the following optimized conditions: temperature 70°C, biocatalyst loading 0.5%, acid to alcohol molar ratio 1:4, speed of agitation 300 rpm, and molecular sieves 5% (w/w). The final condensate product was analyzed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to confirm the functional group and also by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The immobilized catalyst can be reused up to four cycles, exhibiting more than 60% of its initial activity.
Evaluation of the saponin green extraction from Ziziphus spina-christi leaves using hydrothermal, microwave and Bain-Marie water bath heating methods
Authors: Mohaddes-Kamranshahi Mahdiyeh , Jafarizadeh-Malmiri Hoda , Simjoo Mohammad , Jafarizad Abbas
Published: April 2018

Saponin as a biosurfactant was extracted from IranianZiziphus spina-christileaves using three green extraction methods namely, autoclave, microwave and Bain-Marie heating methods. In this study, three solvents namely, methanol, ethanol and water were used to extract saponin. The results revealed that water, as compared to the methanol and ethanol, is a more suitable solvent to extract saponin from theZ. spina-christileaves. The obtained results indicated that saponin extraction using autoclave provided more suitable physico-chemical properties along with a better yield. In fact, maximum foam volume (12.56 cm3), color intensity (3.24% absorbance unit [a.u.]) and turbidity (1.39% a.u.) of the extracted solutions was obtained by the autoclave heating method. The high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results also illustrated that the amounts of extracted saponin using autoclave, Bain-Marie and microwave heating extraction methods were 14, 8.8 and 1.3 (intensity mV), respectively. The results obtained by HPLC were reconfirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis.
Irisin and myostatin responses to acute high-intensity interval exercise in humans
Authors: Kabak Banu , Belviranli Muaz , Okudan Nilsel
Published: April 2018

Background

The purpose of this study was to investigate irisin and myostatin responses to acute high-intensity interval exercise.

Materials and methods

Ten male professional kick-boxers aged between 18 and 24 years and 10 sedentary males with similar age and body weight participated in the present study. Participants performed 4 × 30-s Wingate test separated with 4 min of rest. Blood samples were taken immediately before and after exercise, and 3 and 6 h of recovery.

Results and conclusion

At rest, irisin levels were higher in the kick-boxers (p < 0.05). Immediately after the exercise, irisin levels were decreased in both groups (p < 0.05). A trend toward a return to baseline appeared after 3 h of recovery in the kick-boxers (p < 0.05). At rest, myostatin concentrations were not different between the groups (p > 0.05). Immediately after the exercise, myostatin levels were increased in both groups (p < 0.05). A trend toward a return to baseline appeared after 3 h of recovery in the kick-boxers (p < 0.05). Acute high-intensity interval exercise decreased irisin levels and increased myostatin levels.
Functional characterization of the mouse Serpina1 paralog DOM-7
Authors: Jülicher Karen , Wähner Annabell , Haase Kerstin , Barbour Karen W. , Berger Franklin G. , Wiehlmann Lutz , Davenport Colin , Schuster-Gossler Karin , Stitz Jörn , Cantz Tobias , Eggenschwiler Reto
Published: April 2018

The generation of authentic mouse-models for human α1-antitrypsin (A1AT)-deficiency is difficult due to the high complexity of the mouse Serpina1 gene locus. Depending on the exact mouse strain, three to five paralogs are expressed, with different proteinase inhibitory properties. Nowadays with CRISPR-technology, genome editing of complex genomic loci is feasible and could be employed for the generation of A1AT-deficiency mouse models. In preparation of a CRISPR/Cas9-based genome-engineering approach we identified cDNA clones with a functional CDS for the Serpina1-paralog DOM-7. Here, we show that DOM-7 functionally inhibits neutrophil elastase (ELANE) and chymotrypsin, and therefore needs to be considered when aiming at the generation of A1AT-deficient models.
Experimental and Numerical Investigations on Hot Deformation Behavior and Processing Maps for ASS 304 and ASS 316
Authors: Kotkunde Nitin , Krishnamurthy Hansoge Nitin , Singh Swadesh Kumar , Jella Gangadhar
Published: April 2018

A thorough understanding of hot deformation behavior plays a vital role in determining process parameters of hot working processes. Firstly, uniaxial tensile tests have been performed in the temperature ranges of 150 °C–600 °C and strain rate ranges of 0.0001–0.01s−1 for analyzing the deformation behavior of ASS 304 and ASS 316. The phenomenological-based constitutive models namely modified Fields–Backofen (m-FB) and Khan–Huang–Liang (KHL) have been developed. The prediction capability of these models has been verified with experimental data using various statistical measures. Analysis of statistical measures revealed KHL model has good agreement with experimental flow stress data. Through the flow stresses behavior, the processing maps are established and analyzed according to the dynamic materials model (DMM). In the processing map, the variation of the efficiency of the power dissipation is plotted as a function of temperature and strain rate. The processing maps results have been validated with experimental data.
Creation of a Short Version of the User Experience Questionnaire UEQ
Authors: Alberola Catherine , Walter Götz , Brau Henning
Published: April 2018

This article focuses on the creation of a short version of the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ). The goal is to reduce the number of 26 items significantly, allowing more efficient measurement of a product’s user experience (UX) while sustaining the high reliability and validity of the original questionnaire. The shortening will be based on a data set from a company in the home appliance industry which included 1534 participants. A reliable short version of the quantitative measuring instrument was developed using factor and reliability analyzes. This new version comprises only 11 items, has a high reliability and covers all dimensions of the original instrument. Correlations between the dimensions of the UX and various questions regarding user satisfaction indicate a high criterion validity of the UEQ short version. This new short version can help prevent participant fatigue during a test session when repeated application of the questionnaire is necessary to account for testing of multiple prototypes.
The Influence of User Interface Attributes on Aesthetics
Authors: Schmidt Thomas , Wolff Christian
Published: April 2018

In this paper we present an empirical study among 40 participants which investigates the relationship between various factors of user interface aesthetics on the one hand, and the influence of the user interface attributes, symmetry, colorfulness as well as visual complexity on user interface aesthetics on the other hand. The user interface aesthetics will be classified in intuitive aesthetics (1st impression with a presentation time of 500 ms) and reflective aesthetics (reflective long-term impression after a longer presentation). Reflective aesthetics is further classified in classical aesthetics (common attractiveness) as well as expressive aesthetics (creativity). For this study we have set up a corpus of 30 websites which are used as stimulus material. In a multi-step lab experiment, participants rate aesthetics and their subjective impression concerning user interface attributes using questionnaires. We are able to show that the intuitive aesthetic judgment correlates strongly with the reflective judgment. The symmetry of a website positively correlates with all definitions of aesthetics, especially with the classical or traditional interpretation in the sense of attractiveness. Visual complexity can be seen as the strongest predictor for the aesthetic judgement of users and it negatively correlates with all definitions. Concerning colorfulness, a preference for websites of a medium degree of colorfulness for the intuitive as well as the classical aesthetics can be stated. Concerning expressive aesthetics, websites of moderate to high colorfulness receive the best judgments. The relationships which we have found are finally discussed in the context of previous research and some implications for future user interface design are given.
Effects of Microwave Vacuum Drying on Macroscopic Properties and Microstructure of Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) Seeds
Authors: Zhao Yingting , Jiang Yajun , Zheng Yimei , Li Zhiyu , Zhang Yaling , Zheng Baodong , Lo Y. Martin , Miao Song , Tian Yuting
Published: April 2018

The structural characteristics of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seeds preserved by microwave vacuum drying (MVD) were investigated under various drying parameters, including microwave power density and vacuum degree. Dried lotus seeds were examined for microstructure by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Fractal dimension of the microscopic images was calculated by the box counting method. The apparent physical changes of the seeds, namely shrinkage ratio, rehydration rate, and hardness index, were determined to correlate well with their microstructural changes computed by the normalized changes of the fractal dimension (ΔFD/FD0). The samples at −90 kPa, 15 W/g exhibited a lower shrinkage ratio (46.2 %), higher rehydration rate (187.5 %) and lower hardness (3692.4 N). Although the physical and microstructural changes of the samples prepared by different drying methods (MVD, microwave drying, and hot air drying) varied, the changes of the ΔFD/FD0 of the dried samples exhibited the same trends.
Translation as a sub-set of public and social policy and a consequence of multiculturalism: the provision of translation and interpreting services in Australia
Authors: Hlavac Jim , Gentile Adolfo , Orlando Marc , Zucchi Emiliano , Pappas Ari
Published: April 2018

Translation can be an overt feature of public policy, typically in situations where there are status planning regulations that prescribe the use of two or more languages that then enable the development of translation infrastructure. In New World countries, one language, usually that of a former colonial power, is thede jureorde factoofficial language and seldom does translation feature as a national policy in its own right. Accounts for the provision of translation in a country such as Australia are to be found elsewhere. This article adopts a “looking sideways” approach to account for the provision of translation in a range of settings – healthcare, welfare, court/police, etc. In these areas, and since the introduction ofmulticulturalismin the mid-1970s, linguistic diversity of the Australian populace has been a component of policy formulation and the provision of translation has become a means for policy to be implemented. A national policy on languages that expressly includes translation does exist in Australia. However, it is the cross-portfolio convention of addressing language barriers in the provision of government services and beyond that accounts for translation. It is here conceptualized not so much as a cultural-linguistic value, but as a means for service delivery.
Animal models of necrotizing enterocolitis: review of the literature and state of the art
Authors: Sulistyo Adrienne , Rahman Abidur , Biouss George , Antounians Lina , Zani Augusto
Published: April 2018

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) remains the leading cause of gastrointestinal surgical emergency in preterm neonates. Over the last five decades, a variety of experimental models have been developed to study the pathophysiology of this disease and to test the effectiveness of novel therapeutic strategies. Experimental NEC is mainly modeled in neonatal rats, mice and piglets. In this review, we focus on these experimental models and discuss the major advantages and disadvantages of each. We also briefly discuss other models that are not as widely used but have contributed to our current knowledge of NEC.
Improved serotonergic neurotransmission by genistein pretreatment regulates symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice
Authors: Phadnis Pradeep , Dey Sarkar Purnima , Rajput Mithun Singh
Published: April 2018

Background

Initial evidences have shown that diabetes mellitus occurs concomitantly with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptomatology. Serotonergic psychiatric therapy posits that serotonin is a central character in the management of OCD. Hence, it is worth investigating novel chemical entities affecting the serotonergic system for targeting OCD. An isoflavonoid phytoestrogen, genistein, has been recognized as of great pharmacological value especially for protecting neurodegeneration, depression (serotonin regulation), and diabetes. The effectiveness of genistein pretreatment on the symptoms of OCD in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice is investigated in this study. We also evaluate the probable involvement of the serotonergic system.

Methods

Groups of diabetic mice were treated with genistein at the dose of 5.0 and 10.0 mg/kg (intraperitoneal, twice daily, 14 days), and symptoms of OCD were assessed by the marble-burying behavior, in comparison with the standard drug fluoxetine. Neurochemical assessment of the serotonergic ratio 5-hydroxyindole-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid/5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HIAA/5-HT) in the cortical region of the brain was performed using HPLC (high-pressure liquid chromatography).

Results

Chronic treatment with genistein significantly recovered [F(6, 35)=53.00, p<0.0001, R
2=0.9008] the symptoms of OCD as assessed by marble burying behavior in normal and diabetic mice. Locomotor performance was not influenced by the diabetic condition or any associated treatment. The turnover of serotonin neurotransmission (5-HIAA/5-HT) was significantly boosted in the diabetic condition; genistein treatment dragged it [F(6, 35)=35.75, p<0.0001, R
2=0.8597] toward the respective control.

Conclusions

Genistein supplementation might be a potential therapeutic line for the management and/or prevention of diabetes-associated OCD symptomatology.
Does Compressing High School Duration Affect Students’ Stress and Mental Health? Evidence from the National Educational Panel Study
Authors: Sophie Quis Johanna
Published: April 2018

Starting in 2004/2005, the German state Baden-Wurttemberg reduced academic track duration from nine to eight years, leaving cumulative instruction time mostly unchanged. I use this change in schooling policy to identify the effect of increased schooling intensity on students’ internalizing mental health problems and perceived stress. Using data on 2306 students from the Additional Study Baden-Wurttemberg of the National Educational Panel Study (NEPS), estimates show strong negative effects on internalizing mental health problems for girls and an increase in stress for both genders.
The effects of fennel on menstrual bleeding: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Abdollahi Nafiseh Ghassab , Mirghafourvand Mojgan , Mollazadeh Sanaz
Published: April 2018

Introduction

Fennel has many medicinal properties and is used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea. Given the widespread use of herbal medicine among women for menstrual problems and considering the fact that there has been no study to date about the effect of fennel on menstrual bleeding and duration of menstrual bleeding through systematic review, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of fennel on the amount (primary outcome) and duration of menstrual bleeding and its side-effects (secondary outcomes).

Materials

All articles, including Persian and English, with no time limit were searched for in the following databases: Medline (through PubMed), Scopus, EMBASE (through Ovid), Cochrane Library, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Clininaltrial.gov, SID, Magiran, Irandoc, and Iranmedex, using MeSH terms, including menstrual bleeding, menstruation, severity of bleeding, hypermenorrhea, menorrhagia, fennel, fennelin, Foeniculum vulgare, dysmenorrhea, and painful menstruation, which were searched separately or in combination. Two authors separately reviewed articles to determine the inclusion criteria, and any disagreement was resolved by reaching consensus with a third person.

Results

A total of 7993 articles were identified through searching the databases, of which 7327 were excluded as duplicates and 666 were screened for inclusion. Six hundread and forty six were excluded by title and abstract based on not being relevant to the review and being conducted on animals. Eventually, six articles were included in the study and four articles entered into the meta-analysis. The results from meta-analysis showed that using fennel caused a significant increase in mean menstrual bleeding in the first cycle after treatment in the intervention group compared to the control (Std. mean difference: 0.46; 95 % CI: 0.18–0.73; p = 0.001; I2 = 9 %). However, it had no significant effect on menstrual bleeding in the second cycle after treatment (Mean difference: 1.44; 95 % CI:-5.09 to 7.96; p = 0.67; I2 = 0 %).

Conclusions

The results of meta-analysis of four articles showed that in the first cycle after treatment, use of fennel increased menstrual bleeding in the intervention group compared to the control, but meta-analysis of two articles showed no significant difference between intervention and control groups in the amount of menstrual bleeding in the second cycle after treatment. Given the poor quality of articles, conducting clinical trials to determine the effect of fennel on menstrual bleeding appears necessary.
BIOPYDB: A Dynamic Human Cell Specific Biochemical Pathway Database with Advanced Computational Analyses Platform
Authors: Chowdhury Saikat , Sinha Noopur , Ganguli Piyali , Bhowmick Rupa , Singh Vidhi , Nandi Sutanu , Sarkar Ram Rup
Published: April 2018

BIOPYDB: BIOchemical PathwaY DataBase is developed as a manually curated, readily updatable, dynamic resource of human cell specific pathway information along with integrated computational platform to perform various pathway analyses. Presently, it comprises of 46 pathways, 3189 molecules, 5742 reactions and 6897 different types of diseases linked with pathway proteins, which are referred by 520 literatures and 17 other pathway databases. With its repertoire of biochemical pathway data, and computational tools for performing Topological, Logical and Dynamic analyses, BIOPYDB offers both the experimental and computational biologists to acquire a comprehensive understanding of signaling cascades in the cells. Automated pathway image reconstruction, cross referencing of pathway molecules and interactions with other databases and literature sources, complex search operations to extract information from other similar resources, integrated platform for pathway data sharing and computation, etc. are the novel and useful features included in this database to make it more acceptable and attractive to the users of pathway research communities. The RESTful API service is also made available to the advanced users and developers for accessing this database more conveniently through their own computer programmes.
SBML Level 3 package: Render, Version 1, Release 1
Authors: Bergmann Frank T. , Keating Sarah M. , Gauges Ralph , Sahle Sven , Wengler Katja
Published: April 2018

Many software tools provide facilities for depicting reaction network diagrams in a visual form. Two aspects of such a visual diagram can be distinguished: the layout (i.e.: the positioning and connections) of the elements in the diagram, and the graphical form of the elements (for example, the glyphs used for symbols, the properties of the lines connecting them, and so on). This document describes the SBML Level 3 Render package that complements the SBML Level 3 Layout package and provides a means of capturing the precise rendering of the elements in a diagram. The SBML Level 3 Render package provides a flexible approach to rendering that is independent of both the underlying SBML model and the Layout information. There can be one block of render information that applies to all layouts or an additional block for each layout. Many of the elements used in the current render specification are based on corresponding elements from the SVG specification. This allows us to easily convert a combination of layout information and render information into a SVG drawing.
Inverse space-dependent source problem for a time-fractional diffusion equation by an adjoint problem approach
Authors: Yan Xiong Bin , Wei Ting
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we consider an inverse space-dependent source problem
for a time-fractional diffusion equation by an adjoint problem
approach; that is, to determine the space-dependent source term from
a noisy final data. Based on the series expression of the solution
for the direct problem, we improve the regularity of the weak
solution for the direct problem under strong conditions, and we
provide the existence and uniqueness for the adjoint problem.
Further, we use the Tikhonov regularization method to solve the
inverse source problem and provide a conjugate gradient algorithm to
find an approximation to the minimizer of the Tikhonov
regularization functional. Numerical examples in one-dimensional and
two-dimensional cases are provided to show the effectiveness of the
proposed method.
Cubic Ordered Weighted Distance Operator and Application in Group Decision-Making
Authors: Shakeel Muhammad , Abdullah Saleem , Ahmed Rehan
Published: April 2018

Group decision-making is a very useful technique for ranking the group of alternatives. The ordered weighted distance (OWD) operator is a new tool in group decision-making problems. In this paper, we apply the OWD operator on cubic information. We develop a new operator, the so-called cubic OWD (COWD) operator, and study the different properties of it. We also discuss some particular cases of COWD. Finally, we develop a general algorithm for group decision-making problems using the COWD operator and give an application to the group decision-making problem.
Approach to Multiple Attribute Group Decision Making Based on Hesitant Fuzzy Linguistic Aggregation Operators
Authors: Shi Minghua , Xiao Qingxian
Published: April 2018

Inspired by the nonlinear weighted average operator, this paper proposes several generalized power average operators to aggregate hesitant fuzzy linguistic decision information. It is worth noting that the new operators take both the location and date weight information and the relative closeness of the decision-making information into consideration, a characteristic that results in objectivity and fairness in a group decision making. Moreover, we demonstrate some useful properties of the operators and discuss their associations. A new approach based on the designed operators is then proposed for hesitant fuzzy linguistic multiple attribute group decision-making problems, in which the attribute weights are known or unknown. Finally, this paper demonstrates the efficiency and feasibility of the proposed method through a numerical example.
A survey and refinement of repairable threshold schemes
Authors: Laing Thalia M. , Stinson Douglas R.
Published: April 2018

We consider repairable threshold schemes (RTSs), which are threshold schemes that enable a player to securely reconstruct a lost share with help from their peers. We summarise and, where possible, refine existing RTSs and introduce a new parameter for analysis, called the repair metric. We then explore using secure regenerating codes as RTSs and find them to be immediately applicable. We compare all RTS constructions considered and conclude by presenting the best candidate solutions for when either communication complexity or information rate is prioritised.
Numerical solution of the infinite-dimensional LQR problem and the associated Riccati differential equations
Authors: Benner Peter , Mena Hermann
Published: April 2018

The numerical analysis of linear quadratic regulator design problems for parabolic partial differential equations requires solving Riccati equations. In the finite time horizon case, the Riccati differential equation (RDE) arises. The coefficient matrices of the resulting RDE often have a given structure, e.g., sparse, or low-rank. The associated RDE usually is quite stiff, so that implicit schemes should be used in this situation. In this paper, we derive efficient numerical methods for solving RDEs capable of exploiting this structure, which are based on a matrix-valued implementation of the BDF and Rosenbrock methods. We show that these methods are suitable for large-scale problems by working only on approximate low-rank factors of the solutions. We also incorporate step size and order control in our numerical algorithms for solving RDEs. In addition, we show that within a Galerkin projection framework the solutions of the finite-dimensional RDEs converge in the strong operator topology to the solutions of the infinite-dimensional RDEs. Numerical experiments show the performance of the proposed methods.
Hyperthyroidism in an infant of a mother with autoimmune hypothyroidism with positive TSH receptor antibodies
Authors: Joshi Kriti , Zacharin Margaret
Published: April 2018

Background:

Neonatal hyperthyroidism is rare, seen in infants of mothers with Graves’ disease (GD), with transplacental transfer of thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) antibodies (TRAbs). We describe a neonate with severe hyperthyroidism due to TRAbs, born to a mother with autoimmune hypothyroidism.

Case presentation:

A baby boy born preterm at 35 weeks had irritability, tachycardia and proptosis after birth. The mother had autoimmune hypothyroidism, from age 10, with thyroxine replacement and normal thyroid function throughout her pregnancy. She had never been thyrotoxic. There was a family history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and GD. The baby’s thyroid function on day 3 demonstrated gross thyrotoxicosis, TSH<0.01 mIU/L (normal range [NR]<10 mIU/L), free thyroxine (FT4)>77 pmol/L (20–35), free triiodothyronine (FT3) 15.4 pmol/L (4.2–8.3) and TRAb 18.4 IU/L (<1.8). The mother’s TRAb was 24.7 IU/L. Thyrotoxicosis required propranolol and carbimazole (CBZ). Thyroid function normalized within 10 days. The baby was weaned off medication by 7 weeks. He remains euthyroid.

Conclusions:

We postulate that this mother had co-existing destructive thyroiditis and thyroid-stimulating antibodies (TSAbs) and TSHR blocking antibodies (TBAb), rendering her unable to raise a thyrotoxic response to the TSAbs but with predominant TSAb transmission to her infant. Maternal history of any thyroid disorder may increase the risk of transmission to an infant, requiring a careful clinical assessment of the neonate, with important implications for future pregnancies.
Does ultrasound-guided intervention during repeat cesarean sections improve uterine scar architecture and reduce the number of scars? A prospective controlled clinical intervention trial
Authors: Seliger Gregor , Muendane Anne , Chaoui Katharina , Hiller Grit Gesine Ruth , Lautenschläger Christine , Costa Serban-Dan , Tchirikov Michael
Published: April 2018

Purpose

To evaluate whether intraoperative ultrasound-guided detection and resection of the uterine scar during repeat/second cesarean can reduce the number of scars and improve uterine scar architecture.

Materials and methods

A prospective controlled clinical intervention trial was performed with the following groups: control group 1 (CS1-G): first cesarean; control group 2 (CS2-G): second cesarean utilizing the usual procedure and intervention group (Int-G): repeat/second cesarean with intervention. Transvaginal ultrasound scans were performed 6–9 months after each cesarean. Both primary (double scarring rate) and secondary outcomes [deficiency ratio=d/(b+d)] were analyzed. The deficiency ratio describes the thinning of the remaining myometrium (d=residual myometrial thickness) over the “apparent” defect (b=scar depth).

Results

In total, 124 of the 156 recruited women were examined, eight were excluded from analysis. The double scarring rate decreased from 42.9% (12/28) in CS2-G to 7.1% (2/28) in the Int-G [difference: 35.8%; 95% confidence interval (CI) (13.2, 54.5); P=0.002]. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant difference between CS2-G and the Int-G in the deficiency ratio adjusted for elective/primary cesareans, with thicker remaining myometrium over the scar defect in the Int-G [difference: −0.24; 95% CI (−0.34, −0.15); P<0.001].

Conclusion

Ultrasound-guided resection of the uterine scar area during repeat cesareans reduces the scarring rate and improves thickness of the remaining myometrium as detected by ultrasonography 6–9 months postoperatively.
Über drei Deduktionen in Kants Moralphilosophie - und über eine vierte, die man dort vergeblich sucht. Zur Rehabilitierung von
Grundlegung III
Authors: Bernd Ludwig
Published: April 2018

Since H. J. Paton’s famous commentary from 1947, Kant’s interpreters have considered a ‘deduction of the categorical imperative’ a challenge. This is quite puzzling since Kant himself never talks about such a deduction - and the famous ‘deduction’ he does mention in Groundwork III.4 is, as a close reading shows, not at all the deduction of a law but the deduction of a concept, of the idea of a pure lawgiving will: Only the reality of this idea can explain the possibility of - prima facie impossible - categorical imperatives and thus of morality as autonomy. The presupposition of the validity of the moral law, however, was already a cornerstone of Kant’s critical metaphysics in 1781: Moral theology (which replaces all speculative proofs of immortality and of God’s existence) depends on the moral law’s being an undisputed datum without any need for philosophical justification (‘deduction’). While in the Groundwork (1785) Kant tried to show the practical reality of the idea of a pure will with the help of a speculative deduction of freedom (which a reviewer described as being ‘uncritical’ in May 1786), in the second Critique (1787/88) the reality of that very idea, and with it the idea of freedom, depends (as did immortality and God’s existence in 1781) on the aforementioned practical datum, which, from that point on, Kant called a “Factum der reinen Vernunft” [fact of pure reason].
The Limits of Traditional Methods of Preserving Ethiopian Ge’ez Manuscripts
Authors: Haile Gezae
Published: April 2018

The aim of the article is to identify the limits of traditional methods of preserving ancient parchment Ge’ez manuscripts found in churches and monasteries of Tigray, Ethiopia. The researcher used interview and observation methods to gather relevant data in regard to manuscript preservation practices in churches and monasteries of Tigray, Ethiopia. General Collection Condition Survey (GCCS) and an Item-by-Item Survey were also employed to assess the physical and preservation status of ancient Ge’ez manuscripts, while survey checklist was used to document preservation condition assessments. It was generally viewed that churches and monasteries in Tigray have been playing a pivotal role in the production as well as preservation of ancient Ge’ez parchment manuscripts, however, the assessment result shows most of the traditional techniques employed by these institutions to preserve manuscripts are neither functional nor strong enough to withstand the ever-growing human and natural impacts on these priceless artefacts. Therefore, the paper concludes that in view of the relevance of Ge’ez manuscripts for the Ethiopian people, as well as the poor state of affairs with regard to the preservation and availability of these manuscripts, a new approach that ensures long-term preservation and guarantees their availability for current and future generations should be designed. As a way forward, it is deemed necessary to accomplish in situ conservation and digitization works through scientific procedures and make the digital document available to the wider public using digital library technology. This new approach will enable us to rescue the vanishing literary heritage and unlock the local knowledge contained in those ancient Ge’ez manuscripts through systematic and scientific study as well as to ensure long term preservation.
Integration of Digital Cultural Heritage Resources in China: Understanding Public Expectations
Authors: Tang Yi , Zhou Lihong , Cao Jing , Li Jiangnan , Nie Xiaofei
Published: April 2018

This paper focuses on the recent development of the National Cultural Information Resources Sharing Project in China. This is a national scale project that was initiated by the Chinese central government and has stimulated immense academic attention. Specifically, this paper attempts to understand people’s expectations and requirements on the project. Moreover, this paper aims to articulate and provide specific and useful suggestions for relevant politicians and project operators so that public expectations and requirements can be carefully met. A survey was used to sample a very large and widely distributed population in China, with a questionnaire designed and disseminated through an online survey service platform. A total of 1,076 usable responses were returned and 29 invalid response cases were discarded, yielding an effective response rate of 97.3 percent. An evident public expectation has emerged from the data collected which shows that the Chinese public primarily expects a comprehensive, convenient and unified one stop online access portal to all types of Chinese digital cultural heritage. This paper is of interest to Chinese government officials as well as professionals working at libraries, museums, archives and other cultural institutions in China. Furthermore, although the context of this study is China, the research findings, insights and experiences gained in this study can be shared across international borders.
Student Learning Outcomes Assessment for an Information Organization Curriculum Based on the Kirkpatrick Framework
Authors: Wang Mei-Ling
Published: April 2018

This study aimed to use the Kirkpatrick four-stage model to evaluate the learning outcomes of information organization (IO) courses. The study used the learning outcomes evaluation method and case studies; the evaluation method was used to transform the expected achievement and course goal according to cataloging competencies. The 3-credit “information organization” (IO) course at National Chengchi University and enrolled students during the 2016 fall semester were selected as the case study, with the study population consisting of 33 graduate students of two classes. Cataloging competencies were transformed into learning objectives and ten course units for the IO course, including information organization concept, descriptive cataloging, subject analysis, cataloging management and technology. The study used the four–stage Kirkpatrick model to evaluate student learning outcomes of the IO course, including evaluation of the level 1 reaction, level 2 learning, level 3 behavior and level 4 results. The empirical data collected from the course tasks was used to evaluate level 2 through three assignments, four tests and a final examination, while a questionnaire survey was used to evaluate levels 1, 3 and 4, with the student satisfaction score 4.51, shown with the IO course. As the average student achievement score was 83.48 points, the post-test scores of two classes’ graduate students were significantly higher than pre-test scores, with the study thus proving that all students made progress after taking the courses. Based on the Kirkpatrick model, the results provide favorable evidence for course effectiveness and its value, as well as illustrating that the students learned well on the information organization course.
First records of hypopigmentation disorders in the Peters’ ghost-faced bat Mormoops megalophylla (Chiroptera, Mormoopidae)
Authors: Hernández-Aguilar Itandehui , Santos-Moreno Antonio
Published: April 2018

The pigmentation process can be affected throughout development and result in aberrant pigmentation. This can derive not only from genetic mutations, but also from other sources like infectious diseases that result in color patterns which are different from those characteristic of each species. In bats, most pigmentation abnormalities have been observed in the families Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae, probably because they are the largest families in number of species and have been exceptionally well studied. For the Mormoopidae family only two cases are known. This paper documents the first case of hypopigmentation disorder in the bat Mormoops megalophylla throughout its range, recorded in two specimens captured in the state of Oaxaca, México.
Dung-pile use by guanacos in eastern Patagonia
Authors: Marino Andrea
Published: April 2018

Previous studies on guanacos have reported that only territorial males create and maintain dung-piles. The aim of this analysis was to compare dung-pile use by territorial males with the use by females and young in family groups, and by bachelor males. Although territorial males showed the highest dung-pile use, all individuals dropped feces on piles frequently, in contrast to what was previously observed within other guanaco populations. Besides stressing the behavioral plasticity of guanacos, these results suggest an additional adaptive function of localized-defecation other than demarcating territory ownership by the territorial male.
Multimodal Humour: Integrating Blending Model, Relevance Theory, and Incongruity Theory
Authors: Abdel-Raheem Ahmed
Published: April 2018

The primary objective of this paper is to discuss humorous political cartoons contingent on pictorial and textual components, with the heuristic apparatus provided by Fauconnier and Turner’s (2002, The Way We Think: Conceptual Blending and the Mind’s Hidden Complexities. New York: Basic Books)conceptual blending theory. Blending is discussed in reference to three approaches to humour known in topical literature, viz. bisociation (Koestler, 1964. The Act of Creation. London: Hutchinson), the incongruity-resolution model (Suls, 1972, A two-stage model for the appreciation of jokes and cartoons: An information processing analysis. In: The Psychology of Humor, J. Goldstein and P. McGhee (Eds.), 81–100. New York: Academic Press; 1983, Cognitive processes in humour appreciation. In: Handbook of Humour Research, Vol. 1, P. McGhee and J. Goldstein (Eds.), 39–57. New York: Springer), and relevance theory (Sperber & Wilson, 1995, Relevance Theory: Communication and Cognition. 2nd. Blackwell: Oxford; Yus, 2003, Humour and the search for relevance. Journal of Pragmatics, 35(9):1295–1331; 2016, Humour and Relevance. Amsterdam: John Benjamins). Here, a corpus of 45 multimodal cartoons on the West is examined. A detailed discussion of examples aims to testify to the widespread and multifarious applicability of the incongruity-relevance-blending approach to the analysis of humorous cartoons. Additionally, an attempt is made to explain the difference between humorous and non-humorous blends.
On lattices of z-ideals of function rings
Authors: Dube Themba , Ighedo Oghenetega
Published: April 2018

An ideal I of a ring A is a z-ideal if whenever a, b ∈ A belong to the same maximal ideals of A and a ∈ I, then b ∈ I as well. On the other hand, an ideal J of A is a d-ideal if Ann2(a) ⊆ J for every a ∈ J. It is known that the lattices Z(L) and D(L) of the ring 𝓡L of continuous real-valued functions on a frame L, consisting of z-ideals and d-ideals of 𝓡L, respectively, are coherent frames. In this paper we characterize, in terms of the frame-theoretic properties of L (and, in some cases, the algebraic properties of the ring 𝓡L), those L for which Z(L) and D(L) satisfy the various regularity conditions on algebraic frames introduced by Martínez and Zenk [20]. Every frame homomorphism h : L → M induces a coherent map Z(h) : Z(L) → Z(M). Conditions are given of when this map is closed, or weakly closed in the sense Martínez [19]. The case of openness of this map was discussed in [11]. We also prove that, as in the case of the ring C(X), the sum of two z-ideals of 𝓡L is a z-ideal.
Faber polynomial coefficient estimates for subclass of bi-univalent functions defined by quasi-subordinate
Authors: Zireh Ahmad , Adegani Ebrahim Analouei , Bidkham Mahmood
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we use the Faber polynomial expansion to find upper bounds for |an
| (n ≥ 3) coefficients of functions belong to classes

H

q

Σ

(
λ
,
h
)
,

S

T

q

Σ

(
α
,
h
)

 and

M

q

Σ

(
α
,
h
)

$\begin{array}{}
H_{q}^{\Sigma}(\lambda,h),\, ST_{q}^{\Sigma}(\alpha,h)\,\text{ and} \,\,M_{q}^{\Sigma}(\alpha,h)
\end{array}$

which are defined by quasi-subordinations in the open unit disk 𝕌. Further, we generalize some of the previously published results.
Generation of Long-time Complex Signals for Testing the Instruments for Detection of Voltage Quality Disturbances
Authors: Živanović Dragan , Simić Milan , Kokolanski Zivko , Denić Dragan , Dimcev Vladimir
Published: April 2018

Software supported procedure for generation of long-time complex test sentences, suitable for testing the instruments for detection of standard voltage quality (VQ) disturbances is presented in this paper. This solution for test signal generation includes significant improvements of computer-based signal generator presented and described in the previously published paper [1]. The generator is based on virtual instrumentation software for defining the basic signal parameters, data acquisition card NI 6343, and power amplifier for amplification of output voltage level to the nominal RMS voltage value of 230 V. Definition of basic signal parameters in LabVIEW application software is supported using Script files, which allows simple repetition of specific test signals and combination of more different test sequences in the complex composite test waveform. The basic advantage of this generator compared to the similar solutions for signal generation is the possibility for long-time test sequence generation according to predefined complex test scenarios, including various combinations of VQ disturbances defined in accordance with the European standard EN50160. Experimental verification of the presented signal generator capability is performed by testing the commercial power quality analyzer Fluke 435 Series II. In this paper are shown some characteristic complex test signals with various disturbances and logged data obtained from the tested power quality analyzer.
Atto-Joule, high-speed, low-loss plasmonic modulator based on adiabatic coupled waveguides
Authors: Dalir Hamed , Mokhtari-Koushyar Farzad , Zand Iman , Heidari Elham , Xu Xiaochuan , Pan Zeyu , Sun Shuai , Amin Rubab , Sorger Volker J. , Chen Ray T.
Published: April 2018

In atomic multi-level systems, adiabatic elimination (AE) is a method used to minimize complicity of the system by eliminating irrelevant and strongly coupled levels by detuning them from one another. Such a three-level system, for instance, can be mapped onto physically in the form of a three-waveguide system. Actively detuning the coupling strength between the respective waveguide modes allows modulating light to propagate through the device, as proposed here. The outer waveguides act as an effective two-photonic-mode system similar to ground and excited states of a three-level atomic system, while the center waveguide is partially plasmonic. In AE regime, the amplitude of the middle waveguide oscillates much faster when compared to the outer waveguides leading to a vanishing field build up. As a result, the plasmonic intermediate waveguide becomes a “dark state,” hence nearly zero decibel insertion loss is expected with modulation depth (extinction ratio) exceeding 25 dB. Here, the modulation mechanism relies on switching this waveguide system from a critical coupling regime to AE condition via electrostatically tuning the free-carrier concentration and hence the optical index of a thin indium thin oxide (ITO) layer resides in the plasmonic center waveguide. This alters the effective coupling length and the phase mismatching condition thus modulating in each of its outer waveguides. Our results also promise a power consumption as low as 49.74aJ/bit. Besides, we expected a modulation speed of 160 GHz reaching to millimeter wave range applications. Such anticipated performance is a direct result of both the unity-strong tunability of the plasmonic optical mode in conjunction with utilizing ultra-sensitive modal coupling between the critically coupled and the AE regimes. When taken together, this new class of modulators paves the way for next generation both for energy and speed conscience optical short-reach communication such as those found in interconnects.
Bis(tetraethylammonium) carbonate – boric acid – water (1/2/5), C17H56B2N2O14
Authors: Wang Peizhi , Wang Peiyu , Bai Ming
Published: April 2018

C17H56B2N2O14, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 14.3049(6) Å, b = 14.5382(7) Å, c = 15.0065(7) Å, β = 103.185(3)°, V = 3038.6(2) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0556, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1836, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of tris{(3-((E)-(((E)-2-oxidobenzylidene)hydrazono)methyl)-2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-olato-κ3
O,N:N′)}dicobalt(III)tris(dimethylformamide), C60H50Co2N9O15
Authors: Li Jing , Cheng Zi-Heng , Jia Hao-Ran , Yang Fu-Wen , Yu Bin , Sun Yin-Xia
Published: April 2018

C60H50Co2N9O15, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 13.6074(19) Å, b = 13.9185(17) Å, c = 15.837(2) Å, α = 81.196(4)°, β = 86.607(4)°, γ = 81.665(4)°, Z = 2, V = 2930.7(7) Å3, R
gt(F) = 0.0564, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.2010, T = 296(2) K.
Crystal structure of bis(5,5′-((butane-1,4-diylbis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))bis(3-(ethoxycarbonyl)-2,4-dimethylpyrrol-1-ido-k4
N,N′,N′′,N′′′)copper(II), C24H32CuN4O4
Authors: Wang Wan-Wan , Wu Wei-Na , Wang Yuan
Published: April 2018

C24H32CuN4O4, monoclinic, Cc, a = 11.8142(10) Å, b = 45.481(4) Å, c = 9.2540(8) Å, β = 97.886(2)°, V = 4925.4(8) Å3, Z = 8, R
gt(F) = 0.0501, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1188, T = 296(2) K.