bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Simple and Fast Method to Synthesize Cubic Iridium Nanoparticles with Clean Surface Free from Surfactants
Authors: Zhang Rongrong , Liu Xuan , Shi Litong , Jin Xin , Dong Yanchao , Li Kang , Zhao Xihui , Li Qun , Deng Yujia
Published: January 2019

Cubic Iridium nanoparticles without any surfactants on the surface have been synthesized successfully in this work. The process of synthesis was quite simple by just injecting one drop of 400 µL solution containing Iridium precursor onto Cu foil (1 cm × 1 cm), and through galvanic reaction between the Ir precursor and Cu foil, the cubic Iridium nanoparticle could be obtained quite quickly (<30 s). The Cu foil played the roles of both reducing agent and substrate. This method could also be employed to synthesize cubic nanoparticles of other Pt-group metals such as Rh. By employing this method, cubic metal nanoparticles with surfactant-free surfaces could be produced economically and efficiently, and as a result, a realistic relationship between structure and catalytic activity could be established.
Applications of Mechanochemically Prepared Layered Double Hydroxides as Adsorbents and Catalysts: A Mini-Review
Authors: Qu Jun , Sha Lin , Wu Chenjie , Zhang Qiwu
Published: January 2019

Mechanochemically prepared layered double hydroxide (M-LDH), which usually possesses high surface chemical activity and a substantial amount of surface defects, has presented outstanding application performance especially in the area of environmental protection. Recently published works on the mechanochemical synthesis of LDH were first introduced to provide a comprehensive summary on the preparation of the materials. Ensuing discussion provided an overview of recent research on the applications of M-LDH products as adsorbents and catalysts. The excellent adsorption performance and fast adsorption rate of the precursor of LDH produced by dry milling of raw materials was identified. The catalytic performances of M-LDH as catalysts, mainly photocatalysts, were then introduced. It is foreseeable that by rational utilization of mechanochemical processes and the unique chemical properties of M-LDH, increasing numbers of applications using M-LDH could be expected.
Factors Associated with Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration in Two Cohorts of Pregnant Women in Southern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Perreault Maude , Moore Caroline J. , Fusch Gerhard , Teo Koon K. , Atkinson Stephanie A.
Published: January 2019

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy is widely reported, but whether this applies in North America is unclear since no population-based surveys of vitamin D status in pregnancy exist in Canada or the United States. The objectives were to assess (i) the intake and sources of vitamin D, (ii) vitamin D status, and (iii) factors associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentration in two cohorts of pregnant women from Southern Ontario, Canada, studied over a span of 14 years. Maternal characteristics, physical measurements, fasting blood samples and nutrient intake were obtained at enrolment in 332 pregnant women from the Family Atherosclerosis Monitoring In early Life (FAMILY) study and 191 from the Be Healthy in Pregnancy (BHIP) study. Serum 25-OHD was measured by LC/MS-MS. The median (Q1, Q3) total vitamin D intake was 383 IU/day (327, 551) in the FAMILY study and 554 IU/day (437, 796) in the BHIP study. Supplemental vitamin D represented 64% of total intake in participants in FAMILY and 78% in BHIP. The mean (SD) serum 25-OHD was 76.5 (32.9) nmol/L in FAMILY and 79.7 (22.3) nmol/L in BHIP. Being of European descent and blood sampling in the summer season were significantly associated with a higher maternal serum 25-OHD concentration. In summary, health care practitioners should be aware that vitamin D status is sufficient in the majority of pregnant Canadian women of European ancestry, likely due to sun exposure.
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: Real-Time Imaging in Brachypodium Roots and Osmotic Stress Analysis
Authors: Khan Zaeema , Karamahmutoğlu Hande , Elitaş Meltem , Yüce Meral , Budak Hikmet
Published: January 2019

To elucidate dynamic developmental processes in plants, live tissues and organs must be visualised frequently and for extended periods. The development of roots is studied at a cellular resolution not only to comprehend the basic processes fundamental to maintenance and pattern formation but also study stress tolerance adaptation in plants. Despite technological advancements, maintaining continuous access to samples and simultaneously preserving their morphological structures and physiological conditions without causing damage presents hindrances in the measurement, visualisation and analyses of growing organs including plant roots. We propose a preliminary system which integrates the optical real-time visualisation through light microscopy with a liquid culture which enables us to image at the tissue and cellular level horizontally growing Brachypodium roots every few minutes and up to 24 h. We describe a simple setup which can be used to track the growth of the root as it grows including the root tip growth and osmotic stress dynamics. We demonstrate the system’s capability to scale down the PEG-mediated osmotic stress analysis and collected data on gene expression under osmotic stress.
Extraction of Carnosic Acid and Carnosol from Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) Leaves by Supercritical Fluid Extraction and Their Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Pavić Valentina , Jakovljević Martina , Molnar Maja , Jokić Stela
Published: January 2019

Sage (Salvia officinalis L.) is a good source of antioxidant compounds, carnosic acid and carnosol being the prominent ones. Both are soluble in CO2, and our goal was to investigate the application of supercritical CO2 extraction to obtain sage extracts rich in these compounds. The effect of pressure, temperature, and CO2 flow rate on the carnosic acid and carnosol yield was studied. These variables were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM). The pressure significantly affected carnosol extraction, while the extraction of carnosic acid was affected by the pressure, temperature, and CO2 flow rate. Carnosic acid content varied from 0.29–120.0 µg mg−1, and carnosol content from 0.46–65.5 µg mg−1. The optimal conditions according to RSM were a pressure of 29.5 MPa, a temperature of 49.1 °C, and a CO2 flow rate of 3 kg h−1, and the sage extract yield was calculated to be 6.54%, carnosic acid content 105 µg mg−1, and carnosol content 56.3 µg mg−1. The antioxidant activities of the sage extracts were evaluated by the scavenging activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Sage extract obtained at 30 MPa and 40 °C with 2 kg h−1 CO2 flow rate with a carnosic acid content of 72 µg mg−1 and carnosol content of 55 µg mg−1 exhibited the highest antioxidant activity (80.0 ± 0.68%) amongst the investigated supercritical fluid extracts at 25 µg mL−1 concentration. The antimicrobial properties of extracts were tested on four bacterial strains: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. The extract with a carnosic acid content of 116 µg mg−1 and a carnosol content of 60.6 µg mg−1 was found to be the most potent agent against B. subtilis.
Dynamically Cross-Linked Tannin as a Reinforcement of Polypropylene and UV Protection Properties
Authors: Liao Jingjing , Brosse Nicolas , Pizzi Antonio , Hoppe Sandrine
Published: January 2019

Tannins were used as reinforcing components for polypropylene with anti-UV properties via dynamic curing extrusion. The influence of cross-linked tannins in different weight fraction and their anti-UV capacity on morphological, mechanical, rheological, crystallize and thermal properties were studied. The experimental results indicated that the cross-linked tannins improve Young’s modulus, crystallinity, and thermal stability and reinforce the internal network of polypropylene. After UV accelerated weathering, polypropylene had fewer surface cracks, lower carbonyl index, fewer crystallinity decreases and less mechanical properties loss with increasing tannin content.
Dynamic Optics with Transparency and Color Changes under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Jiang Yejia , Zeng Songshan , Yao Yu , Xu Shiyu , Dong Qiaonan , Chen Pingxu , Wang Zhaofeng , Zhang Monica , Zhu Mengting , Xu Gefan , Zeng Huidan , Sun Luyi
Published: January 2019

Mechanochromic materials have recently received tremendous attention because of their potential applications in humanoid robots, smart windows, strain sensors, anti-counterfeit tags, etc. However, improvements in device design are highly desired for practical implementation in a broader working environment with a high stability. In this article, a novel and robust mechanochromism was designed and fabricated via a facile method. Silica nanoparticles (NPs) that serve as a trigger of color switch were embedded in elastomer to form a bi-layer hybrid film. Upon stretching under ambient conditions, the hybrid film can change color as well as transparency. Furthermore, it demonstrates excellent reversibility and reproducibility and is promising for widespread application.
Building Block-Based Synthesis and Intensification of Work-Heat Exchanger Networks (WHENS)
Authors: Li Jianping , Demirel Salih Emre , Hasan M. M. Faruque
Published: January 2019

We provide a new method to represent all potential flowsheet configurations for the superstructure-based simultaneous synthesis of work and heat exchanger networks (WHENS). The new representation is based on only two fundamental elements of abstract building blocks. The first design element is the block interior that is used to represent splitting, mixing, utility cooling, and utility heating of individual streams. The second design element is the shared boundaries between adjacent blocks that permit inter-stream heat and work transfer and integration. A semi-restricted boundary represents expansion/compression of streams connected to either common (integrated) or dedicated (utility) shafts. A completely restricted boundary with a temperature gradient across it represents inter-stream heat integration. The blocks interact with each other via mass and energy flows through the boundaries when assembled in a two-dimensional grid-like superstructure. Through observation and examples from literature, we illustrate that our building block-based WHENS superstructure contains numerous candidate flowsheet configurations for simultaneous heat and work integration. This approach does not require the specification of work and heat integration stages. Intensified designs, such as multi-stream heat exchangers with varying pressures, are also included. We formulate a mixed-integer non-linear (MINLP) optimization model for WHENS with minimum total annual cost and demonstrate the capability of the proposed synthesis approach through a case study on liquefied energy chain. The concept of building blocks is found to be general enough to be used in possible discovery of non-intuitive process flowsheets involving heat and work exchangers.
Combining Microwave Pretreatment with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Enhanced Biogas and Hydrogen Yield from Green Algae
Authors: Zaidi Asad A. , Feng Ruizhe , Malik Adil , Khan Sohaib Z. , Shi Yue , Bhutta Asad J. , Shah Ahmer H.
Published: January 2019

The available energy can be effectively upgraded by adopting smart energy conversion measures. The biodegradability of biomass can be improved by employing pretreatment techniques; however, such methods result in reduced energy efficiency. In this study, microwave (MW) irradiation is used for green algae (Enteromorpha) pretreatment in combination with iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) which act as a heterogeneous catalyst during anaerobic digestion process for biogas enhancement. Batch-wise anaerobic digestion was carried out. The results showed that MW pretreatment and its combination with Fe3O4 NPs produced highest yields of biogas and hydrogen as compared to the individual ones and control. The biogas amount and hydrogen % v/v achieved by MW pretreatment + Fe3O4 NPs group were 328 mL and 51.5%, respectively. The energy analysis indicated that synergistic application of MW pretreatment with Fe3O4 NPs produced added energy while consuming less input energy than MW pretreatment alone. The kinetic parameters of the reaction were scientifically evaluated by using modified Gompertz and Logistic function model for each experimental case. MW pretreatment + Fe3O4 NPs group improved biogas production potential and maximum biogas production rate.
Mixed Blessing: The Beneficial and Detrimental Effects of Religion on Child Development among Third-Graders
Authors: Bartkowski John P. , Xu Xiaohe , Bartkowski Stephen
Published: January 2019

Previous research has linked parental religiosity to a number of positive developmental characteristics in young children. This study introduces the concept of selective sanctification as a refinement to existing theory and, in doing so, adds to a small but growing body of longitudinal research on this topic. We explore how parents’ religious attendance (for fathers, mothers, and couples) and the household religious environment (parent–child religious discussions, spousal conflicts over religion) influence child development among third-graders. Analyses of longitudinal data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS)-Kindergarten Cohort reveal a mix of salutary (beneficial) and adverse (detrimental) developmental outcomes based on teachers’ ratings and standardized test performance scores. Third-graders’ psychological adjustment and social competence are enhanced by various religious factors, but students’ performance on reading, math, and science tests is hampered by several forms of parental religiosity. We discuss the implications of these findings and suggest several avenues for future research.
Retrieval of Vertical Mass Concentration Distributions—Vipava Valley Case Study
Authors: Wang Longlong , Stanič Samo , Bergant Klemen , Eichinger William , Močnik Griša , Drinovec Luka , Vaupotič Janja , Miler Miloš , Gosar Mateja , Gregorič Asta
Published: January 2019

Aerosol vertical profiles are valuable inputs for the evaluation of aerosol transport models, in order to improve the understanding of aerosol pollution ventilation processes which drive the dispersion of pollutants in mountainous regions. With the aim of providing high-accuracy vertical distributions of particle mass concentration for the study of aerosol dispersion in small-scale valleys, vertical profiles of aerosol mass concentration for aerosols from different sources (including Saharan dust and local biomass burning events) were investigated over the Vipava valley, Slovenia, a representative hot-spot for complex mixtures of different aerosol types of both anthropogenic and natural origin. The analysis was based on datasets taken between 1–30 April 2016. In-situ measurements of aerosol size, absorption, and mass concentration were combined with lidar remote sensing, where vertical profiles of aerosol concentration were retrieved. Aerosol samples were characterized by SEM-EDX, to obtain aerosol morphology and chemical composition. Two cases with expected dominant presence of different specific aerosol types (mineral dust and biomass-burning aerosols) show significantly different aerosol properties and distributions within the valley. In the mineral dust case, we observed a decrease of the elevated aerosol layer height and subsequent spreading of mineral dust within the valley, while in the biomass-burning case we observed the lifting of aerosols above the planetary boundary layer (PBL). All uncertainties of size and assumed optical properties, combined, amount to the total uncertainty of aerosol mass concentrations below 30% within the valley. We have also identified the most indicative in-situ parameters for identification of aerosol type.
Functional Sensing Interfaces of PEDOT:PSS Organic Electrochemical Transistors for Chemical and Biological Sensors: A Mini Review
Authors: Liao Jianjun , Si Hewei , Zhang Xidong , Lin Shiwei
Published: January 2019

Organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) are promising devices for applications in in vitro and in vivo measurements. OECTs have two important sensing interfaces for signal monitoring: One is the gate electrode surface; the other is the channel surface. This mini review introduced the new developments in chemical and biological detection of the two sensing interfaces. Specific focus was given on the modification technological approaches of the gate or channel surface. In particular, some unique strategies and surface designs aiming to facilitate signal-transduction and amplification were discussed. Several perspectives and current challenges of OECTs development were also briefly summarized.
Al2O3-Based a-IGZO Schottky Diodes for Temperature Sensing
Authors: Guo Qianqian , Lu Fei , Tan Qiulin , Zhou Tianhao , Xiong Jijun , Zhang Wendong
Published: January 2019

High-temperature electronic devices and sensors that operate in harsh environments, especially high-temperature environments, have attracted widespread attention. An Al2O3 based a-IGZO (amorphous indium-gallium-zinc-oxide) Schottky diode sensor is proposed. The diodes are tested at 21–400 °C, and the design and fabrication process of the Schottky diodes and the testing methods are introduced. Herein, a series of factors influencing diode performance are studied to obtain the relationship between diode ideal factor n, the barrier height ФB, and temperature. The sensitivity of the diode sensors is 0.81 mV/°C, 1.37 mV/°C, and 1.59 mV/°C when the forward current density of the diode is 1 × 10−5 A/cm2, 1 × 10−4 A/cm2, and 1 × 10−3 A/cm2, respectively.
Minimum Cost Deployment of Bistatic Radar Sensor for Perimeter Barrier Coverage
Authors: Xu Xianghua , Zhao Chengwei , Ye Tingcong , Gu Tao
Published: January 2019

Perimeter barriers can provide intrusion detection for a closed area. It is efficient for practical applications, such as coastal shoreline monitoring and international boundary surveillance. Perimeter barrier coverage construction in some regions of interest with irregular boundaries can be represented by its minimum circumcircle and every point on the perimeter can be covered. This paper studies circle barrier coverage in Bistatic Radar Sensor Network (BRSN) which encircles a region of interest. To improve the coverage quality, it is required to construct a circle barrier with a predefined width. Firstly, we consider a BR deployment problem to constructing a single BR circular barrier with minimum threshold of detectability. We study the optimized BR placement patterns on the single circular ring. Then the unit costs of the BR sensor are taken into account to derive the minimum cost placement sequence. Secondly, we further consider a circular BR barrier with a predefined width, which is wider than the breadth of Cassini oval sensing area with minimum threshold of detectability. We propose two segment strategies to efficiently divide a circular barrier to several adjacent sub-ring with some appropriate width: Circular equipartition strategy and an adaptive segmentation strategy. Finally, we propose approximate optimization placement algorithms for minimum cost placement of BR sensor for circular barrier coverage with required width and detection threshold. We validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms through theory analysis and extensive simulation experiments.
Semiconductor Metal Oxides as Chemoresistive Sensors for Detecting Volatile Organic Compounds
Authors: Lin Tingting , Lv Xin , Hu Zhineng , Xu Aoshu , Feng Caihui
Published: January 2019

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which originate from painting, oil refining and vehicle exhaust emissions, are hazardous gases that have significant effects on air quality and human health. The detection of VOCs is of special importance to environmental safety. Among the various detection methods, chemoresistive semiconductor metal oxide gas sensors are considered to be the most promising technique due to their easy production, low cost and good portability. Sensitivity is an important parameter of gas sensors and is greatly affected by the microstructure, defects, catalyst, heterojunction and humidity. By adjusting the aforementioned factors, the sensitivity of gas sensors can be improved further. In this review, attention will be focused on how to improve the sensitivity of chemoresistive gas sensors towards certain common VOCs with respect to the five factors mentioned above.
Fuzzy Ontology and LSTM-Based Text Mining: A Transportation Network Monitoring System for Assisting Travel
Authors: Ali Farman , El-Sappagh Shaker , Kwak Daehan
Published: January 2019

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSs) utilize a sensor network-based system to gather and interpret traffic information. In addition, mobility users utilize mobile applications to collect transport information for safe traveling. However, these types of information are not sufficient to examine all aspects of the transportation networks. Therefore, both ITSs and mobility users need a smart approach and social media data, which can help ITSs examine transport services, support traffic and control management, and help mobility users travel safely. People utilize social networks to share their thoughts and opinions regarding transportation, which are useful for ITSs and travelers. However, user-generated text on social media is short in length, unstructured, and covers a broad range of dynamic topics. The application of recent Machine Learning (ML) approach is inefficient for extracting relevant features from unstructured data, detecting word polarity of features, and classifying the sentiment of features correctly. In addition, ML classifiers consistently miss the semantic feature of the word meaning. A novel fuzzy ontology-based semantic knowledge with Word2vec model is proposed to improve the task of transportation features extraction and text classification using the Bi-directional Long Short-Term Memory (Bi-LSTM) approach. The proposed fuzzy ontology describes semantic knowledge about entities and features and their relation in the transportation domain. Fuzzy ontology and smart methodology are developed in Web Ontology Language and Java, respectively. By utilizing word embedding with fuzzy ontology as a representation of text, Bi-LSTM shows satisfactory improvement in both the extraction of features and the classification of the unstructured text of social media.
Gold Nanoparticle Uptake in Tumor Cells: Quantification and Size Distribution by sp-ICPMS
Authors: Noireaux Johanna , Grall Romain , Hullo Marie , Chevillard Sylvie , Oster Caroline , Brun Emilie , Sicard-Roselli Cécile , Loeschner Katrin , Fisicaro Paola
Published: January 2019

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are increasingly studied for cancer treatment purposes, as they can potentially improve both control and efficiency of the treatment. Intensive research is conducted in vitro on rodent and human cell lines to objectify the gain of combining AuNPs with cancer treatment and to understand their mechanisms of action. However, using nanoparticles in such studies requires thorough knowledge of their cellular uptake. In this study, we optimized single particle ICPMS (sp-ICPMS) analysis to qualify and quantify intracellular AuNP content after exposure of in vitro human breast cancer cell lines. To this aim, cells were treated with an alkaline digestion method with 5% TMAH, allowing the detection of gold with a yield of 97% on average. Results showed that under our experimental conditions, the AuNP size distribution appeared to be unchanged after internalization and that the uptake of particles depended on the cell line and on the exposure duration. Finally, the comparison of the particle numbers per cell with the estimates based on the gold masses showed excellent agreement, confirming the validity of the sp-ICPMS particle measurements in such complex samples.
Psychometric Properties of the CYBVICS Cyber-Victimization Scale and Its Relationship with Psychosocial Variables
Authors: Buelga Sofía , Martínez-Ferrer Belén , Cava María-Jesús , Ortega-Barón Jessica
Published: January 2019

The main goal of the present study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the revised version of the Adolescent Cyber-Victimization Scale (CYBVICS). This scale is composed of 18 items that assess direct and indirect cyber-victimization. Two subsamples participated in the present study. Sample 1 included 1318 adolescents (47.4% boys) from 12 to 16 years old (M = 13.89, SD = 1.32). Sample 2 was composed of 1188 adolescents (51.5% girls) from 12 to 16 years old (M = 14.19, SD = 1.80). First, an exploratory factor analysis was conducted on sample 1. Results yielded a bifactor structure: direct cyber-victimization and indirect cyber-victimization. To confirm the structure of the CYBVICS, we selected sample 2 to perform confirmatory factor analysis and test its convergent validity with theoretically related measures. The results supported the reliability and validity of the two-factor model. In addition, measurement invariance was established. Related to convergent validity, positive correlations between cyber-victimization and peer victimization, depressive symptoms, and offensive communication with the mother and the father were found. Moreover, negative correlations were found between cyber-victimization and open communication with the mother and the father and family self-esteem.
A Multi-Market-Driven Approach to Energy Scheduling of Smart Microgrids in Distribution Networks
Authors: Yue Jingpeng , Hu Zhijian , Anvari-Moghaddam Amjad , Guerrero Josep M.
Published: January 2019

In order to coordinate the economic desire of microgrid (MG) owners and the stability operation requirement of the distribution system operator (DSO), a multi-market participation framework is proposed to stimulate the energy transaction potential of MGs through distributed and centralized ways. Firstly, an MG equipped with storage can contribute to the stability improvement at special nodes of the distribution grid where the uncertain factors (such as intermittent renewable sources and electric vehicles) exist. The DSO is thus interested in encouraging specified MGs to provide voltage stability services by creating a distribution grid service market (DGSM), where the dynamic production-price auction is used to capture the competition of the distributed MGs. Moreover, an aggregator, serving as a broker and controller for MGs, is considered to participate in the day-ahead wholesale market. A Stackelberg game is modeled accordingly to solve the price and quantity package allocation between aggregator and MGs. Finally, the modified IEEE-33 bus distribution test system is used to demonstrate the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed multi-market mechanism. The results under this framework improve both MGs and utility.
Multi-Objective Robust Scheduling Optimization Model of Wind, Photovoltaic Power, and BESS Based on the Pareto Principle
Authors: Wang Guan , Tan Zhongfu , Tan Qingkun , Yang Shenbo , Lin Hongyu , Ji Xionghua , Gejirifu De , Song Xueying
Published: January 2019

With the increasing proportion of distributed power supplies connected to the power grid, the application of a battery energy storage system (BESS) to a power system leads to new ideas of effectively solving the problem of distributed power grid connections. There is obvious uncertainty involved in distributed power output, and these uncertainties must be considered when optimizing the scheduling of virtual power plants. In this context, scene simulation technology was used to manage the uncertainty of wind power and photovoltaic output, forming a classic scenario. In this study, to reduce the influence of the uncertainty of wind and photovoltaic power output on the stable operation of the system, the time-of-use (TOU) prices and BESS were incorporated into the optimal scheduling problem that is inherent in wind and photovoltaic power. First, this study used the golden section method to simulate the wind and photovoltaic power output; second, the day-ahead wind and photovoltaic power output were used as the random variables; third, a wind and photovoltaic power BESS robust scheduling model that considers the TOU price was constructed. Finally, this paper presents the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 30 bus system in an example simulation, where the solution set is based on the Pareto principle, and the global optimal solution can be obtained by the robust optimization model. The results show that the cooperation between the TOU price and BESS can counteract wind and photovoltaic power uncertainties, improve system efficiency, and reduce the coal consumption of the system. The example analysis proves that the proposed model is practical and effective. By accounting for the influence of uncertainty of the optimal scheduling model, the actual operating cost can be reduced, and the robustness of the optimization strategy can be improved.
Risk Analysis of Urban Dirty Bomb Attacking Based on Bayesian Network
Authors: Tang Zheng , Li Yijia , Hu Xiaofeng , Wu Huanggang
Published: January 2019

Urban dirty bomb attacking is a type of unconventional terrorism threatening the urban security all through the world. In this paper, a Bayesian network of urban dirty bomb attacking is established to analyze the risk of urban dirty bomb attacking. The impacts of factors such as occurrence time, location, wind fields, the size of dirty bomb, emergency response and defense approaches on casualty from both direct blast and radiation-caused cancers are examined. Results show that sensitivity of casualty from cancers to wind fields are less significant; the impact of emergency response on the direct casualty from blast is not large; the size of the dirty bomb results in more casualties from cancers than that from bomb explosions; Whether an attack is detected by the police is not that related to normal or special time, but significantly depends on the attack location; Furthermore, casualty from cancers significantly depends on the location, while casualty from blast is not considerably influenced by the attacking location; patrol and surveillance are less important than security check in terms of controlling the risk of urban dirt bomb, and security check is the most effective approach to decreasing the risk of urban dirty bomb.
The Impact of Board Gender Diversity and Foreign Institutional Investors on the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Engagement of Chinese Listed Companies
Authors: Gulzar M. A. , Cherian Jacob , Hwang Jinsoo , Jiang Yushi , Sial Muhammad Safdar
Published: January 2019

The main purpose of this research is to examine the impact of board gender diversity and foreign institutional investors on the corporate social responsibility engagement of Chinese listed companies by considering a sample from the China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR) database of all non-financial firms listed on the Shanghai stock exchange and the Shenzhen stock exchange during the period from 2008–2015. The CSR is engaged by using the data from the CSMAR database at the firm level, and ranks the CSR disclosures of Chinese companies separately. The recent CSR promotion in China produced a visible increase in attracting female members on the board and members as foreign institutional investors by Chinese listed companies. The findings also showed that the greater the presence of female directors on the board, the stronger the CSR engagement would be. According to critical mass theory and team dynamics, these findings further broaden the accounts that emphasize social networks based on gender. Hence, female members on the board of directors emerged to be significant as a gender mix with extending CSR change. Therefore, our results added a new aspect to the emerging literature on CSR-engagement and gender especially in China. Due to intense political forces and networks in the Chinese listed entities, foreign institutional investors (FIIS) have less incentive to enhance CSR engagement further. Thus, the impact of foreign institutional investors on CSR engagement is as yet unknown, but we improved our knowledge about how the international aspects affect CSR in China. Furthermore, our results are robust, which concern control variables under consideration.
Serbian Agriculture Policy: Economic Analysis Using the PSE Approach
Authors: Đurić Katarina , Cvijanović Drago , Prodanović Radivoj , Čavlin Miroslav , Kuzman Boris , Lukač Bulatović Mirjana
Published: January 2019

The purpose of the research is to identify the level of Government support to farmers’ income in the Republic of Serbia. This support is based on market measures and budgetary transfers directed towards producers. As budgetary transfers are defined in the agricultural policy, by applying the producer support estimate (PSE) methodology, it is indirectly evaluated whether agricultural policies have a positive or negative impact on farmers’ income and their economic status and the economic sustainability of farms. Producers of more significant agricultural commodities covered by the analysis in the period between 2012 and 2016 did not get any significant support from the state. Namely, most of the analyzed commodities had negative values of single commodity transfer (SCT) indicators, which means that agricultural producers received more taxes than incentives. In addition to the modest budgetary transfers, variations in their forms further negatively affect producers’ income. Low share of budgetary transfers in the support structure to farmers leads to the conclusion that the support to farmers’ income through higher prices on the domestic market is paid by consumers.
Multi-(myco)toxins in Malting and Brewing By-Products
Authors: Mastanjević Kristina , Lukinac Jasmina , Jukić Marko , Šarkanj Bojan , Krstanović Vinko , Mastanjević Krešimir
Published: January 2019

Fungi, yeasts, and bacteria are common microorganisms on cereals used in malting and brewing industries. These microorganisms are mostly associated with the safety and quality of malt and beer, but also with the health safety of by-products used in animal nutrition. The real problem is their harmful metabolites—toxins that, due to their thermostable properties, can easily be transferred to malting and brewing by-products. Besides fungal metabolites, other toxins originating from plants can be harmful to animal health. Precise and accurate analytical techniques broadened the spectrum of known toxins originating from microorganisms and plants that can pose a threat to animal health. Multi-(myco)toxin analyses are advanced and useful tools for the assessment of product safety, and legislation should follow up and make some important changes to regulate yet unregulated, but highly occurring, microbial and plant toxins in malting and brewing by-products used for animal feed.
Atmospheric Neutrino Search in the ICARUS T600 Detector
Authors: Farnese Christian
Published: January 2019

The 760-ton liquid argon ICARUS T600 detector performed a successful three-year physics run at the underground LNGS laboratories, studying in particular neutrino oscillations with the CNGS neutrino beam from CERN. This detector has been moved in 2017 to Fermilab after a significant overhauling and will be exposed soon to the Booster Neutrino Beam acting as the far station to search for sterile neutrinos within the SBN program. The contribution addresses the developed methods and the results of an analysis to identify and reconstruct atmospheric neutrino interactions collected by ICARUS T600 in the underground run at LNGS. Despite the limited statistics, this search demonstrates the excellent quality of the detector reconstruction and the feasibility of an automatic search for the electron neutrino CC interactions in the sub-GeV range, as required for the study of the BNB neutrinos at FNAL.
Single-Top Quark Production at CMS
Authors: Priyanka  , Ranjan Kirti , Bhardwaj Ashutosh
Published: January 2019

An overview of recent results of single-top quark production at the LHC using data collected with the CMS detector is presented. The CMS experiment has measured the electroweak production of the top quark in three production modes, namely t-channel, tW-channel, and s-channel. Measurements of the rare processes involving a single-top quark with a Z boson and a single-top quark with a γ are also discussed. All measurements are in agreement with the standard model prediction, and no sign of physics beyond the standard model is observed.
Heat Stress Modulates Brain Monoamines and Their Metabolites Production in Broiler Chickens Co-Infected with Clostridium perfringens Type A and Eimeria spp.
Authors: Calefi Atilio Sersun , Fonseca Juliana Garcia da Silva , Nunes Catarina Augusta de Queiroz , Lima Ana Paula Nascimento , Quinteiro-Filho Wanderley Moreno , Flório Jorge Camilo , Zager Adriano , Ferreira Antonio José Piantino , Palermo-Neto João
Published: January 2019

Heat stress has been related to the impairment of behavioral and immunological parameters in broiler chickens. However, the literature is not clear on the involvement of neuroimmune interactions in a heat stress situation associated with bacterial and parasitic infections. The present study evaluated the production of monoamines and their metabolites in brain regions (rostral pallium, hypothalamus, brain stem, and midbrain) in broiler chickens submitted to chronic heat stress and/or infection and co-infection with Eimeria spp. and Clostridium perfringens type A. The heat stress and avian necrotic enteritis (NE) modulated the neurochemical profile of monoamines in different areas of the central nervous system, in particular, those related to the activity of the hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenal (HPA) axis that is responsible for sickness behavior. C. perfringens and/or Eimeria infection, heat stress increased 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), 4,4 dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and DOPAC/dopamine (DA) in the rostral pallium; 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethylene glycol (MHPG), homovanillic acid (HVA), HVA/DA, DOPAC/DA, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA)/5-HT in the hypothalamus; MHPG, 5-HIAA/5-HT, DOPAC/DA, and HVA/DA in the midbrain; and MHPG, DOPAC, HVA, HVA/DA, DOPAC/DA, and 5-HIAA/5-HT in the brainstem. Heat stress decreased noradrenaline + norepinephrine (NOR + AD) in all brain regions analyzed; 5-HT in the hypothalamus, midbrain, and brainstem; and DA in the midbrain. The results also showed the existence and activity of the brain-gut axis in broiler chickens. The brain neurochemical profile and corticosterone production are consistent with those observed in chronic stressed mammals, in animals with sickness behavior, and an overloading of the HPA axis.
Thermal regime of water courses of different order in the basin of the Upper Kolyma River
Authors: Samokhvalov Vladimir L. , Ukhov Nikolay V.
Published: January 2019

Evaluation of hydrological parameters and temperature regime of watercourses of various orders comes to the fore when studying the scientific problems of hydrobiology of watercourses and solving practical problems of development of fisheries and gold exploration in the regions of the Far North. This became particularly relevant due to a significant reduction in hydrological observations since the early 1990s. This article presents a quantitative investigation into the thermal regime of water courses and their spatial pattern. The paper focuses specifically studying the temperature and basic spatial parameters of streams and rivers in the area of interest. Statistical methods helped identify a close linkage between the temperature of water courses in the basin of the Upper Kolyma River and their respective sizes. A common trend has been found proving that the water temperature in the rivers increases downstream and with the increase in water course size, also known as order. A close correlation between the average water temperature, on the one hand, and the catchment area and water course length, on the other, is indicated by the relatively high correlation coefficients of 0.61 to 0.63 and 0.71 to 0.73, respectively. Average water temperatures in the summer and warm periods have been found to escalate with the increase of water course order from low (I and II) to high (VI–VII) by 4.7°C and 5.9°C, respectively, and in the Kolyma River – in the direction from the upper section (Orotuk village) to the lower section (the Korkodon River mouth) by 1.7°C and 2.1°C, respectively, even though the lower section of the river is located almost 2° north of the upper section. Due to the presence of perennial permafrost, river taliks have a cooling effect on the thermal regime of watercourses, so coolness occurs in sections of the river where there are favorable conditions for their formation. This is, first of all, the increased thickness of the well-permeable coarse-grained alluvium of the channel facies and open fracture zones in the bedrock.
Corps et sensorialité : les formes primaires de symbolisation dans les épreuves projectives
Authors: Brun Anne
Published: January 2019

Résumé Cet article vise à montrer le rôle prépondérant des expériences corporelles et sensorimotrices dans l’émergence des formes primaires de symbolisation et, plus particulièrement, la façon dont les méthodes projectives peuvent permettre une amorce de symbolisation de ces expériences sensorimotrices, qui renvoient souvent au registre de l’archaïque. Le rôle spécifique joué par les formes primaires de symbolisation au Rorschach sera abordé à partir de l’hypothèse d’une associativité formelle en jeu tant dans les médiations thérapeutiques que dans les épreuves projectives : il s’agira de repérer dans les protocoles les logiques de l’émergence des signifiants formels (D. Anzieu) et la mise en œuvre de la potentialité symbolisante de ces formes primaires de symbolisation, préalables au registre fantasmatique. L’originalité de cette réflexion sur les formes primaires de symbolisation consiste à reconsidérer la fonction de la projection dans le psychisme.
Evaluation of Alabama's Mandatory Continuing Education Program for Reasonableness, Access, and Value
Authors: Lazarus Jean B , Permaloff Anne , Dickson Charlie J
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

Background: As a measure of quality control, the Alabama Board of Nursing subjected the regulations for mandatory continuing education (MCE) for licensure to an evaluation of their impact and effectiveness. This study focused on licensees' perceptions of the regulations regarding reasonableness, access, and value.

Method: Evaluation research methods were used to answer research questions related to the rules governing continuing education (CE) requirements for nursing licensure. Data were obtained from a survey of a random sample (N = 406) of RNs and licensed practical nurses. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were applied to data analysis.

Findings: Requirements for CE were perceived as reasonable; however, concerns were identified related to cost, access, and quality of presentations. Licensees perceived CE to be of value, and applied CE to decision-making and action in nursing practice. Chi-square analysis was significant to license type related to selected variables (e.g., rights and responsibilities). Qualitative analysis provided insight regarding licensees' concerns and recommendations for change.

Conclusion: Mandatory continuing education (MCE) plays a significant role in promoting competence in nursing practice and is a mechanism for enhancing public protection. A high noncompliance rate on the MCE audit has ramifications for enforcement regulations.
A Transformational Journey From Clinician to Educator
Authors: Neese Ruth
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

One nurse's desire to learn how to teach became a transformational journey from clinician to nurse educator. This article describes the author's transformative experiences with critical reflection and mentored teaching experiences. Insights gleaned from her journey and the educational literature supply recommendations for current nurse educators and implications for potential students.
Getting Off to a Good Start: Faculty Development in Professional Programs
Authors: Sweitzer H Frederick
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACT

Developing and retaining faculty in professional programs presents some unique challenges. This article describes an approach to faculty development designed to meet the needs of new faculty members in nursing and other professional programs. The basic premise is that a reflective approach to teaching and scholarship serves the twin goal of promoting development and helping the faculty member prepare for various reviews. Recommendations for developing a philosophy of teaching and a scholarship plan are presented.
Relating tinnitus features and audiometric characteristics in a cohort of 34 tinnitus subjects
Authors: Cuesta María , Cobo Pedro
Published: January 2019

Although tinnitus, the conscious perception of a sound without a sound source external or internal to the body, is highly correlated with hearing loss, the precise nature of such correlation remains still unknown. People with high pitch tinnitus are used to suffer from high frequency hearing losses, and vice versa, low pitch tinnitus is mostly associated with low frequency hearing losses. However, many subjects with low or high frequency losses do no develop tinnitus. Thus, studies trying to relate audiometric characteristics and tinnitus features are still relevant. This article presents a correlational study of audiometric and tinnitus variables in a sample of 34 subjects, paying special attention to the heterogeneous subtypes of both audiometry shape and tinnitus etiology. Our results, which concur with others previously published, demonstrate that the tinnitus pitch, the main frequency of the tinnitus spectrum, in subjects with high-steep high-frequency and continuously steep hearing losses, are highly correlated with the frequency at which hearing loss reaches 50 dB HL.
Geochemistry, petrology, and aeromagnetic mapping of the Orpheus dykes, south Rae Craton, Northwest Territories
Authors: Mowbray B , Pehrsson S J
Published: January 2019

The Orpheus dyke swarm of the South Rae craton in the Northwest Territories is composed of numerous NNE trending, upper amphibolite-granulite facies, metagabbro dykes. The dykes define extensive kilometre long ridges in otherwise flat topography. This work
presents the first petrographic and geochemical study of the dykes. We examine possible contamination that occurred during the melt's assent to surface and suggest that geochemically it resembles crustally contaminated EMORB, lending further evidence for extensional events in the Rae in the
mid-Paleoproterozoic. The preliminary age of the swarm (ca. 2.27 Ga) is unusual in the Canadian Shield but geochemically it shows some similarities to other Paleoproterozoic swarms seen on the Slave craton and Chesterfield Block (Dogrib and Tulemalu respectively). We suggest that the Orpheus swarm
was metamorphosed by both the Snowbird and Trans-Hudson Orogenies.
Teledentistry: An innovative tool for the underserved population
Authors: Arora Preeti Chawla , Kaur Jasleen , Kaur Jasmine , Arora Aman
Published: January 2019

Advancements in technology have always had major impacts on medicine. Increased use of smartphone and related software applications has created a new era in clinical data exchange among patients and clinicians. Teledentistry is a combination of telecommunications and dentistry, involving the exchange of clinical information and images over remote distances for dental consultation and treatment planning. It has the potential to address many of the problems related to access, cost efficiency and quality of dental care. Through teleconsultation with specialists in larger communities, a dentist in a nearby community can provide access to specialty care for their patients easily. Teledentistry can extend care to underserved patient populations, such as those in rural areas, at a reasonable cost. This review article aims to emphasize the importance of teledentistry in various specialties of dentistry and its role in serving the underserved population.