bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Piperazin İçeren Polimerik Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) ve Cd(II) Sakkarin Komplekslerinin Sentezi, Spektroskopik ve Termik Özellikleri
Authors: GÜNEY Serkan
Published: May 2018

[M(sac)2(H2O)4]
2H2O (M= Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) ve Cd(II), sac=sakkarinat anyonu)’nun piperazin(ppz) ile reaksiyonu sonucu yeni kompleksler sentezlendi.
Kompleksler elementel analiz, manyetik ölçümler, FT-IR spektroskopisi ve termik
analiz çalışmalarıyla karakterize edildi. Tüm komplekslerin IR spektrumu ppz ve sac ligantlarının tipik absorpsiyon bantlarını göstermektedir.
Komplekslerin termik analiz çalışmalarında, ilk basamak yapıdan akua ligandının uzaklaşmasına karşılık
gelir. Ardından takip eden basamaklarda ppz
ligandı uzaklaşır, son olarak da sac
uzaklaşarak karşılık gelen metal oksitler ele geçer.
Hedef Programlama Yaklaşımı İle Temizlik Personeli Çizelgeleme Problemi İçin Bir Model Önerisi
Authors: EREN Tamer , ÖZDER Emir Hüseyin , VARLI Emre
Published: May 2018

The proper operation of cleaning personnel is
one of the major problems in public institutions. By assigning the cleaning
personnel to the most appropriate duty areas, cleaning service can be provided
in the best conceivable way. In this study, the problem of assigning the
cleaning personnel is discussed to the most appropriate places to clean. As a
place of application, a university hospital was dealt with which is serving 24
hours with a total of 58 rooms. A goal programming model has been established
for the problem that a total of 70 cleaning personnel will be scheduled for a
month. ILOG CPLEX Studio IDE Optimization program was used to solve the
mathematical model. The mathematical model has shown that the intended goals
are achieved, and better results are obtained from the existing schedule.
Becoming a Gentleman
Authors: Baxter Kent
Published: May 2018

This article traces the intellectual and cultural history of the concept
of chivalry, paying particular attention to its relationship with coming-of-age narratives,
boyology, and theories of adolescent development. The concept of chivalry
was central to the texts surrounding turn-of-the-twentieth-century youth movements,
such as the Boy Scouts and the Knights of King Arthur. Chivalry, as it was
constructed in these texts, became a way to contain cultural anxieties associated
with a fear of modernity and, as a code of behavior, provided a path for youths to
come of age, therefore containing concerns about the newly conceived and characteristically
unstable developmental stage of adolescence.
Young Delinquency as a Social Product in an Age of Correction
Authors: Blackman Shane
Published: May 2018

Salerno, Roger. 2017. Boyhood and Delinquency in 1920s Chicago: A Sociological
Study of Juvenile Jack-Rollers and Gender. Jefferson, NC: McFarland and Company.
208 pp. $35.00. ISBN 978-1-4766-6341-8 (paperback); ISBN 978-1-4766-2717-
5 (e-book)
Training Bodies, Training Minds?
Authors: Kehler Michael
Published: May 2018

Gerdin, Göran. 2017. Boys, Bodies, and Physical Education: Problematizing Identity,
Schooling, and Power Relations through a Pleasure Lens. New York: Routledge. 216
pp. $160.00. ISBN 978-1-13864-997-2 (hardback); ISBN 978-1-31562-557-7
(e-book)
Coming of Age in the Elder State
Authors: Raval J. Cammaert
Published: May 2018

Ocobock, Paul. 2017. An Uncertain Age: The Politics of Manhood in Kenya. New
African Histories. Athens: Ohio University Press. 368 pp. $34.95. ISBN 978-0-
8214-2264-9 (paperback); ISBN 978-0-8214-2263-2 (hardback); ISBN 978-0-
8214-4598-3 (e-book)
Research on Gear Tooth Longitudinal Modification of Locomotive Traction Gear with Shaft Structure
Authors: Shi Xiaochun , Zhang Riming , He Weidong
Published: May 2018

By the contact analysis of the traction gears with shafts of high-speed and heavy-load locomotive, the deformation and load distribution of the Front Guide Surface in starting operation are obtained. According the results, the ideal longitudinal modification curve is fitted out. The gear parametric models were completed, and the load distribution and the contact stress of the gears are compared before and after tooth longitudinal modification in ANSYS. It shows the modification methods and the amount of the modification are reasonable.
The Giant Hand Illusion Experienced on a Simulator
Authors: Frantis Petr , Petru Antonin
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND: This paper discusses a special kind of a sensory illusion—the Giant Hand illusion—that was experienced during an exercise on a flight simulator equipped with a VR headset. In the first part we describe spatial disorientation and the function of the vestibular
apparatus during flight and its consequences. In this part, the sensory illusion simulator used for the experiment is mentioned. In the second part we describe the simulator and test flight. In the third part we discuss data retrieved during simulator flights that are important for explaining
the Giant Hand illusion.CASE REPORT: A well-trained pilot experienced the Giant Hand illusion while executing instrument flight rules flight on a simulator. The Giant Hand illusion was detected from the simulation data and confirmed by the pilot afterward.DISCUSSION:
The Giant Hand illusion is a rare type of sensory illusion. The pilot falsely evaluated the situation as a malfunction of the aircraft controls. If the pilot had not been informed by the operator that he might have been influenced by the illusion, he would probably have crashed the simulated
aircraft. An unrecognized Giant Hand illusion during a flight can lead to fatal consequences. This case report shows the symptoms and data that can be used for early recognition of this type of illusion.Frantis P, Petru A. The Giant Hand illusion experienced on a simulator. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(6):557–562.
Acute Mild Hypoxic Hypoxia Effects on Cognitive and Simulated Aircraft Pilot Performance
Authors: Bouak Fethi , Vartanian Oshin , Hofer Kevin , Cheung Bob
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND: The effects of acute mild hypoxic hypoxia (HH) and physical activity on physiological measures, signs and symptoms, mood, fatigue, cognition, and performance on a simulated flight task were investigated between 8000 (8K; 2438 m) and 14,000 ft (14K; 4267 m).METHOD:
In a hypobaric chamber, 16 military helicopter pilots were randomly exposed to 4 altitudes and 3 physical exertion levels. After each exercise period, participants identified targets on a designated flight path on a desktop simulator and completed a cognitive test battery. Cerebral regional
and finger pulse oxyhemoglobin saturation levels (rSO2 and Spo2), heart and respiration rates were continuously monitored. Participants indicated their symptoms, mood and fatigue.RESULTS: rSO2 and Spo2 were affected
by the increase of altitude and exercise level. Target identification accuracy and latency within the simulated flight task showed decrements at 8K, 10K (3048 m), 12K (3658 m), and 14K. Cognitive performance was degraded at 14K. More than 60% of the participants at 8K and 10K and more than
80% at 12K and 14K reported symptoms. Altitude increased symptoms, negative mood, general fatigue, and physical fatigue.DISCUSSION: Our findings indicate a significant influence of mild HH on a number of outcome measures at altitudes above 10K, where operational restrictions are
well established. In contrast, there was no clear influence of HH on performance at lower altitudes (i.e., 8K and 10K). The occurrence of HH symptoms and the decrements in target identification latency and accuracy at 8K and 10K may negatively impact flight performance and require further
study.Bouak F, Vartanian O, Hofer K, Cheung B. Acute mild hypoxic hypoxia effects on cognitive and simulated aircraft pilot performance. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(6):526–535.
Spinal Stiffness in Prone and Upright Postures During 0–1.8 g Induced by Parabolic Flight
Authors: Swanenburg Jaap , Meier Michael L. , Langenfeld Anke , Schweinhardt Petra , Humphreys B. Kim
Published: May 2018

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to analyze posterior-to-anterior spinal stiffness in Earth, hyper-, and microgravity conditions during both prone and upright postures. CASE REPORT: During parabolic flight, the spinal stiffness of the L3 vertebra of a healthy 37-yr-old man was measured in normal Earth gravity (1.0 g), hypergravity (1.8 g), and microgravity (0.0 g) conditions induced in the prone and upright positions. Differences in spinal stiffness were significant across all three gravity conditions in the prone and upright positions. Most effect sizes were large; however, in the upright posture, the effect size between Earth gravity and microgravity was medium. Significant differences in spinal stiffness between the prone and upright positions were found during Earth gravity and hypergravity conditions. No difference was found between the two postures during microgravity conditions. DISCUSSION: Based on repeated measurements of a single individual, our results showed detectable changes in posterior-to-anterior spinal stiffness. Spinal stiffness increased during microgravity and decreased during hypergravity conditions. In microgravity conditions, posture did not impact spinal stiffness. More data on spinal stiffness in variable gravitational conditions is needed to confirm these results. Swanenburg J, Meier ML, Langenfeld A, Schweinhardt P, Humphreys BK. Spinal stiffness in prone and upright postures during 0–1.8 g induced by parabolic flight. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2018; 89(6):563–567.
RETRACTED: pH Responsive Polymer Micelles Enhances Inhibitory Efficacy on Metastasis of Murine Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Wang Jie , De Gejing , Yue Qiaoxin , Ma Hai , Cheng Jintang , Zhu Guangwei , Du Maobo , Yi Hong , Zhao Qinghe , Chen Yanjun
Published: May 2018

A pH sensitive micellar cargo was fabricated for pH triggered delivery of hydrophobic drug paclitaxel with pH controlled drug release profiles. The size, drug loading content, and encapsulation efficiency of PTX loaded micelles were 20–30 nm, 7.5%, 82.5%, respectively. PTX loaded PELA-PBAE micelles could enhance the intracellular uptake of a model drug significantly, with increased cytotoxicity and inhibition of tumor metastasis on 4T1 cells, as confirmed by wound healing assay and tumor cells invasion assay. The expression of metastasis and apoptosis correlated proteins on 4T1 cells decreased remarkably after intervention by PTX loaded polymer micelles, as demonstrated by western blotting and quantitative reverse transcriptional-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Our results demonstrated the pH responsive polymer micelles might have the potential to be used in the treatment of metastatic breast tumors.
Concepts and Methods to Access Novel Antibiotics from Actinomycetes
Authors: Hug Joachim J. , Bader Chantal D. , Remškar Maja , Cirnski Katarina , Müller Rolf
Published: May 2018

Actinomycetes have been proven to be an excellent source of secondary metabolites for more than half a century. Exhibiting various bioactivities, they provide valuable approved drugs in clinical use. Most microorganisms are still untapped in terms of their capacity to produce secondary metabolites, since only a small fraction can be cultured in the laboratory. Thus, improving cultivation techniques to extend the range of secondary metabolite producers accessible under laboratory conditions is an important first step in prospecting underexplored sources for the isolation of novel antibiotics. Currently uncultured actinobacteria can be made available by bioprospecting extreme or simply habitats other than soil. Furthermore, bioinformatic analysis of genomes reveals most producers to harbour many more biosynthetic gene clusters than compounds identified from any single strain, which translates into a silent biosynthetic potential of the microbial world for the production of yet unknown natural products. This review covers discovery strategies and innovative methods recently employed to access the untapped reservoir of natural products. The focus is the order of actinomycetes although most approaches are similarly applicable to other microbes. Advanced cultivation methods, genomics- and metagenomics-based approaches, as well as modern metabolomics-inspired methods are highlighted to emphasise the interplay of different disciplines to improve access to novel natural products.
Characteristics of Moduli Decay for the Asphalt Mixture under Different Loading Conditions
Authors: Lv Songtao , Fan Xiyan , Xia Chengdong , Zheng Jianlong , Chen Dong , You Lingyun
Published: May 2018

In order to explore the moduli decay patterns of asphalt mixtures under different loading conditions, the nonlinear fatigue damage model was implemented in order to simulate the moduli decay patterns. Then, the direct tensile, indirect tensile, and uniaxial compression fatigue tests were employed under four kinds of stress levels with four parallel tests. The specimens of AC-13C Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified mixtures were manufactured. Based on the test results, the decay patterns of the moduli during fatigue tests under different stress states were revealed, and the parameters of the damage model under different test conditions were obtained. By changing the values of the model parameters under a certain loading condition, fatigue curves were obtained. Then, the fatigue properties of asphalt mixtures under different stress states could be compared and analyzed directly. The result indicated that the evolution curves of fatigue damage for the direct tensile test, the indirect tensile test, and the uniaxial compression test all experienced three stages, which indicates that the fatigue damage characteristic of asphalt mixtures is non-linear. The decay patterns of the direct tensile moduli and the tensile moduli measured by the indirect tensile test are similar. The decay patterns of the uniaxial compression and the compression moduli measured by indirect tensile test are similar. The decay patterns of tensile and compressive moduli are obviously different. At the same cycle ratio state, the position of the decay curve for the compression moduli is higher than that of the tensile moduli. It indicates that the tensile failure is the main reason of the fatigue damage for asphalt mixture. The new analysis method of fatigue damage was proposed, which provides a possibility to compare the fatigue results that were obtained from different loading conditions and different specimen sizes.
Dynamic Stiffness Effect of Mechanical Components on Gear Mesh Misalignment
Authors: Kim Jin-Gyun , Gang Ga Ae , Cho Seung-Je , Lee Geun Ho , Park Young-Jun
Published: May 2018

In this work, we propose a method that considers the dynamic elastic stiffness of mechanical components in a quasi-static condition, and we investigate this parameter’s effect on gear mesh misalignment. Unlike conventional approaches, which consider static stiffness only, the proposed method allows compensation of the dynamic response of the gearbox components under the quasi-static assumption, enabling more precise and practical gear design. A two-stage parallel gearbox is presented, designed, and numerically analyzed. The results demonstrate that the dynamic stiffness has a significant effect on gear misalignment and should, therefore, be carefully considered in the gear design process.
Treatment of Biofilm Communities: An Update on New Tools from the Nanosized World
Authors: Bertoglio Federico , Bloise Nora , Oriano Martina , Petrini Paola , Sprio Simone , Imbriani Marcello , Tampieri Anna , Visai Livia
Published: May 2018

Traditionally regarded as single cell organisms, bacteria naturally and preferentially build multicellular communities that enable them to react efficiently to external stimuli in a coordinated fashion and with extremely effective outcomes. These communities are bacterial biofilms, where single cells or microcolonies are embedded in self-built Extracellular Polymeric Substance (EPS), composed of different macromolecules, e.g., polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and extracellular DNA (eDNA). Despite being the most common form in nature and having many biotechnologically useful applications, biofilm is often regarded as a life-threatening form of bacterial infection. Since this form of bacterial life is intrinsically more resistant to antibiotic treatment and antimicrobial resistance is reaching alarming levels, we will focus our attention on how nanotechnology made new tools available to the medical community for the prevention and treatment of these infections. After a brief excursus on biofilm formation and its main characteristics, different types of nanomaterials developed to prevent or counteract these multicellular forms of bacterial infection will be described. A comparison of different classifications adopted for nanodrugs and a final discussion of challenges and future perspectives are also presented.
Nitric Oxide Production by Centimeter-Sized Meteoroids and the Role of Linear and Nonlinear Processes in the Shock Bound Flow Fields
Authors: Silber Elizabeth , Niculescu Mihai , Butka Peter , Silber Reynold
Published: May 2018

Nitric oxide (NO) is a critical indicator of energy deposition in the lower thermosphere because of its formational pathways. Thus, it is important to constrain sources of NO, such as meteoroid generated hypersonic flows below 95 km altitude. This paper aims to examine the process of and place the upper estimate on NO production in high temperature flow fields of strongly ablating meteoroids. For centimeter-sized meteoroids, the production of NO is bound within the dynamically stable volume of bright meteor plasma trains in the region of 80–95 km. Our estimate of the upper limit of the cumulative mass of NO produced annually by centimeter-sized meteoroids is significantly lower than that reported in previous early studies. In the context of shock waves, we explored the reasons why centimeter-sized meteoroids are the most efficient producers of NO. Effects of nonlinear processes on meteoric NO production are discussed.
Brownian Motion at Lipid Membranes: A Comparison of Hydrodynamic Models Describing and Experiments Quantifying Diffusion within Lipid Bilayers
Authors: Block Stephan
Published: May 2018

The capability of lipid bilayers to exhibit fluid-phase behavior is a fascinating property, which enables, for example, membrane-associated components, such as lipids (domains) and transmembrane proteins, to diffuse within the membrane. These diffusion processes are of paramount importance for cells, as they are for example involved in cell signaling processes or the recycling of membrane components, but also for recently developed analytical approaches, which use differences in the mobility for certain analytical purposes, such as in-membrane purification of membrane proteins or the analysis of multivalent interactions. Here, models describing the Brownian motion of membrane inclusions (lipids, peptides, proteins, and complexes thereof) in model bilayers (giant unilamellar vesicles, black lipid membranes, supported lipid bilayers) are summarized and model predictions are compared with the available experimental data, thereby allowing for evaluating the validity of the introduced models. It will be shown that models describing the diffusion in freestanding (Saffman-Delbrück and Hughes-Pailthorpe-White model) and supported bilayers (the Evans-Sackmann model) are well supported by experiments, though only few experimental studies have been published so far for the latter case, calling for additional tests to reach the same level of experimental confirmation that is currently available for the case of freestanding bilayers.
Zebrafish Models of Rare Hereditary Pediatric Diseases
Authors: Varga Máté , Ralbovszki Dorottya , Balogh Eszter , Hamar Renáta , Keszthelyi Magdolna , Tory Kálmán
Published: May 2018

Recent advances in sequencing technologies have made it significantly easier to find the genetic roots of rare hereditary pediatric diseases. These novel methods are not panaceas, however, and they often give ambiguous results, highlighting multiple possible causative mutations in affected patients. Furthermore, even when the mapping results are unambiguous, the affected gene might be of unknown function. In these cases, understanding how a particular genotype can result in a phenotype also needs carefully designed experimental work. Model organism genetics can offer a straightforward experimental setup for hypothesis testing. Containing orthologs for over 80% of the genes involved in human diseases, zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as one of the top disease models over the past decade. A plethora of genetic tools makes it easy to create mutations in almost any gene of the zebrafish genome and these mutant strains can be used in high-throughput preclinical screens for active molecules. As this small vertebrate species offers several other advantages as well, its popularity in biomedical research is bound to increase, with “aquarium to bedside” drug development pipelines taking a more prevalent role in the near future.
End-to-End Deep Neural Networks and Transfer Learning for Automatic Analysis of Nation-State Malware
Authors: Rosenberg Ishai , Sicard Guillaume , David Eli (Omid)
Published: May 2018

Malware allegedly developed by nation-states, also known as advanced persistent threats (APT), are becoming more common. The task of attributing an APT to a specific nation-state or classifying it to the correct APT family is challenging for several reasons. First, each nation-state has more than a single cyber unit that develops such malware, rendering traditional authorship attribution algorithms useless. Furthermore, the dataset of such available APTs is still extremely small. Finally, those APTs use state-of-the-art evasion techniques, making feature extraction challenging. In this paper, we use a deep neural network (DNN) as a classifier for nation-state APT attribution. We record the dynamic behavior of the APT when run in a sandbox and use it as raw input for the neural network, allowing the DNN to learn high level feature abstractions of the APTs itself. We also use the same raw features for APT family classification. Finally, we use the feature abstractions learned by the APT family classifier to solve the attribution problem. Using a test set of 1000 Chinese and Russian developed APTs, we achieved an accuracy rate of 98.6%
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics of Small Systems
Authors: Puglisi Andrea , Sarracino Alessandro , Vulpiani Angelo
Published: May 2018

A challenging frontier in modern statistical physics is concerned with systems with a small number of degrees of freedom, far from the thermodynamic limit.[...]
State Entropy and Differentiation Phenomenon
Authors: Asano Masanari , Basieva Irina , Pothos Emmanuel M. , Khrennikov Andrei
Published: May 2018

In the formalism of quantum theory, a state of a system is represented by a density operator. Mathematically, a density operator can be decomposed into a weighted sum of (projection) operators representing an ensemble of pure states (a state distribution), but such decomposition is not unique. Various pure states distributions are mathematically described by the same density operator. These distributions are categorized into classical ones obtained from the Schatten decomposition and other, non-classical, ones. In this paper, we define the quantity called the state entropy. It can be considered as a generalization of the von Neumann entropy evaluating the diversity of states constituting a distribution. Further, we apply the state entropy to the analysis of non-classical states created at the intermediate stages in the process of quantum measurement. To do this, we employ the model of differentiation, where a system experiences step by step state transitions under the influence of environmental factors. This approach can be used for modeling various natural and mental phenomena: cell’s differentiation, evolution of biological populations, and decision making.
Structural Break Tests Robust to Regression Misspecification
Authors: Abi Morshed Alaa , Andreou Elena , Boldea Otilia
Published: May 2018

Structural break tests for regression models are sensitive to model misspecification. We show—analytically and through simulations—that the sup Wald test for breaks in the conditional mean and variance of a time series process exhibits severe size distortions when the conditional mean dynamics are misspecified. We also show that the sup Wald test for breaks in the unconditional mean and variance does not have the same size distortions, yet benefits from similar power to its conditional counterpart in correctly specified models. Hence, we propose using it as an alternative and complementary test for breaks. We apply the unconditional and conditional mean and variance tests to three US series: unemployment, industrial production growth and interest rates. Both the unconditional and the conditional mean tests detect a break in the mean of interest rates. However, for the other two series, the unconditional mean test does not detect a break, while the conditional mean tests based on dynamic regression models occasionally detect a break, with the implied break-point estimator varying across different dynamic specifications. For all series, the unconditional variance does not detect a break while most tests for the conditional variance do detect a break which also varies across specifications.
Estimating the Effects of Human Capital Constraints on Innovation in the Caribbean
Authors: Khadan Jeetendra
Published: May 2018

Human capital, as reflected in education levels and skills, and innovation is an important engine of economic growth. The Caribbean is deficient in both: lower than expected GDP growth rates are accompanied by relatively low innovation at the firm level, and the workforce is characterised by skills deficiencies and educational mismatches. In that regard, this paper exploits firm-level data covering 13 Caribbean countries to examine the extent to which innovation, a key driver of productivity growth, is affected by firms’ inability to find appropriately educated and skilled workers to fill key positions in its organizational structure, which is estimated using Probit models distinguishing between past and future innovation decisions. The econometric analysis finds that firms that have difficulty finding new skilled employees are less likely to engage in any type of innovation compared to those that can, and this is also true for decisions about future technological and non-technological innovations. Moreover, firms that face challenges finding employees with the required core and job-related skills at the managerial and professional levels are also less likely to innovate. Finally, while in-firm training is found to increase the probability of innovation, its magnitude is low.
Learning Landscapes: Playing the Way to Learning and Engagement in Public Spaces
Authors: Hassinger-Das Brenna , Bustamante Andres S. , Hirsh-Pasek Kathy , Golinkoff Roberta Michnick
Published: May 2018

Children from under-resourced communities regularly enter formal schooling lagging behind their peers. These deficits in areas such as language development, reading readiness, and even in the kind of spatial skills that predict later mathematical knowledge, may persist throughout their lifespan. To address such gaps, policymakers have focused largely on schooling as the great equalizer. Yet, children only spend 20% of their waking hours in school. How can developmental scientists and educators address this “other 80%” for the benefit of children’s development? One answer is the Learning Landscapes initiative, which involves crafting carefully planned play experiences that focus on learning outcomes, particularly for children and families from under-resourced communities. Playful learning, a broad pedagogical approach featuring child-directed play methods, provides a unique way to foster learning and engagement organically within the built environment. Learning Landscapes already incorporates several well-documented projects. The Ultimate Block Party brought over 50,000 people to Central Park to engage in playful learning activities. Supermarkets became hotspots for caregiver-child interaction by simply adding prompts for caregiver-child interaction through signage in everyday “trapped” experiences. Urban Thinkscape transformed a bus stop and adjacent lot into a hub for playful learning while families were waiting for public transportation. Finally, Parkopolis is a life-size human board game that fosters STEM and reasoning skills in public spaces. This paper reflects on data from these projects while reflecting on lessons learned and future directions.
Smart Green Applications: From Renewable Energy Management to Intelligent Transportation Systems
Authors: Collotta Mario , Sun Yunchuan , Persio Luca Di , Ebeid Emad Samuel Malki , Muradore Riccardo
Published: May 2018

n/a
Hybrid HVDC (H2VDC) System Using Current and Voltage Source Converters
Authors: Lebre José Rafael , Portugal Paulo Max Maciel , Watanabe Edson Hirokazu
Published: May 2018

This paper presents an analysis of a new high voltage DC (HVDC) transmission system, which is based on current and voltage source converters (CSC and VSC) in the same circuit. This proposed topology is composed of one CSC (rectifier) and one or more VSCs (inverters) connected through an overhead transmission line in a multiterminal configuration. The main purpose of this Hybrid HVDC (H2VDC), as it was designed, is putting together the best benefits of both types of converters in the same circuit: no commutation failure and system’s black start capability in the VSC side, high power converter capability and low cost at the rectifier side, etc. A monopole of the H2VDC system with one CSC and two VSCs—here, the VSC is the Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) considered with full-bridge submodules—in multiterminal configuration is studied. The study includes theoretical analyses, development of the CSC and VSCs control philosophies and simulations. The H2VDC system’s behavior is analyzed by computational simulations considering steady-state operation and short-circuit conditions at the AC and DC side. The obtained results and conclusions show a promising system for very high-power multiterminal HVDC transmission.
Electrorheological Model Based on Liquid Crystals Membranes with Applications to Outer Hair Cells
Authors: Herrera Valencia Edtson Emilio , Rey Alejandro D.
Published: May 2018

Liquid crystal flexoelectric actuation uses an imposed electric field to create membrane bending, this phenomenon is found in outer hair cells (OHC) located in the inner ear, whose role is to amplify sound through the generation of mechanical power. Oscillations in the OHC membranes create periodic viscoelastic flows in the contacting fluid media. A key objective of this work on flexoelectric actuation relevant to OHC is to find the relations and impact of the electro-mechanical properties of the membrane, the rheological properties of the viscoelastic media, and the frequency response of the generated mechanical power output. The model developed and used in this work is based on the integration of: (i) the flexoelectric membrane shape equation applied to a circular membrane attached to the inner surface of a circular capillary, and (ii) the coupled capillary flow of contacting viscoelastic phases, which are characterized by the Jeffreys constitutive equation with different material conditions. The membrane flexoelectric oscillations drive periodic viscoelastic capillary flows, as in OHCs. By applying the Fourier transform formalism to the governing equations and assuming small Mach numbers, analytical equations for the transfer function, associated to the average curvature, and for the volumetric rate flow as a function of the electrical field were found, and these equations can be expressed as a third-order differential equation which depends on the material properties of the system. When the inertial mechanisms are considered, the power spectrum shows several resonance peaks in the average membrane curvature and volumetric flow rate. When the inertia is neglected, the system follows a non-monotonic behavior in the power spectrum. This behavior is associated with the solvent contributions related to the retardation-Jeffreys mechanisms. The specific membrane-viscoelastic fluid properties that control the power response spectrum are identified. The present theory, model, and computations contribute to the evolving fundamental understanding of biological shape actuation through electromechanical couplings.
Consumer Perception of the Quality of Lamb and Lamb Confit
Authors: Ripoll Guillermo , Joy Margalida , Panea Begoña
Published: May 2018

The patterns of food consumption in general and those of meat, in particular, are constantly changing. These changes are due not only to socioeconomic and cultural trends that affect the whole society but also to the specific lifestyles of consumer groups. Due to the importance of consumer lifestyle, the objectives of this study were (i) to identify the profiles of lamb meat consumers according to their orientation toward convenience, as defined by their eating and cooking habits; (ii) to characterize these profiles according to their socioeconomic characteristics and their preferences regarding the intrinsic and extrinsic quality signals of lamb meat; and (iii) to analyze the willingness to pay for lamb confit. In this study, four types of consumers have been differentiated according to their lifestyles related to lamb consumption. These groups, due to their characteristics, could be called “Gourmet”, “Disinterested”, “Conservative”, and “Basic”. The Gourmet group has characteristics that make it especially interesting to market a product such as lamb confit. However, this group is unaware of this product. Therefore, a possible strategy to expand the commercialization of light lamb and the confit product would be guided marketing to this niche market.
From Windfall Sharing to Property Ownership: Prosocial Personality Traits in Giving and Taking Dictator Games
Authors: Zhao Kun , Kashima Yoshihisa , Smillie Luke D.
Published: May 2018

The dictator game is a well-known task measuring prosocial preferences, in which one person divides a fixed amount of windfall money with a recipient. A key factor in real-world transfers of wealth is the concept of property ownership and consequently the related acts of giving and taking. Using a variation of the traditional dictator game (N = 256), we examined whether individual differences under different game frames corresponded with prosocial personality traits from the Big Five (politeness, compassion) and HEXACO (Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, eXtraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness to Experience) (honesty-humility, agreeableness) models. In the Big Five model, the effects of prosocial personality traits were generally stronger and more consistent for taking than for giving, in line with a “do-no-harm” explanation, whereby prosocial individuals felt less entitled to and less willing to infringe on the endowments of others. In contrast, HEXACO honesty-humility predicted allocations across both frames, consistent with its broad association with fair-mindedness, and providing further evidence of its role in allocations of wealth more generally. These findings highlight the utility of integrating personality psychology with behavioral economics, in which the discriminant validity across prosocial traits can shed light on the distinct motivations underpinning social decisions.
The Present and Future of Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) and Whole Metagenome Sequencing (WMS) for Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistant Microorganisms and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes across the Food Chain
Authors: Oniciuc Elena A. , Likotrafiti Eleni , Alvarez-Molina Adrián , Prieto Miguel , Santos Jesús A. , Alvarez-Ordóñez Avelino
Published: May 2018

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance is a critical step within risk assessment schemes, as it is the basis for informing global strategies, monitoring the effectiveness of public health interventions, and detecting new trends and emerging threats linked to food. Surveillance of AMR is currently based on the isolation of indicator microorganisms and the phenotypic characterization of clinical, environmental and food strains isolated. However, this approach provides very limited information on the mechanisms driving AMR or on the presence or spread of AMR genes throughout the food chain. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of bacterial pathogens has shown potential for epidemiological surveillance, outbreak detection, and infection control. In addition, whole metagenome sequencing (WMS) allows for the culture-independent analysis of complex microbial communities, providing useful information on AMR genes occurrence. Both technologies can assist the tracking of AMR genes and mobile genetic elements, providing the necessary information for the implementation of quantitative risk assessments and allowing for the identification of hotspots and routes of transmission of AMR across the food chain. This review article summarizes the information currently available on the use of WGS and WMS for surveillance of AMR in foodborne pathogenic bacteria and food-related samples and discusses future needs that will have to be considered for the routine implementation of these next-generation sequencing methodologies with this aim. In particular, methodological constraints that impede the use at a global scale of these high-throughput sequencing (HTS) technologies are identified, and the standardization of methods and protocols is suggested as a measure to upgrade HTS-based AMR surveillance schemes.
The Old Wounded: Destructive Plasticity and Intergenerational Trauma
Authors: Fenton Brandon D. C.
Published: May 2018

This article addresses a significant gap in trauma theory and philosophy; namely, it develops a partial theory of the subject of intergenerational trauma. This is accomplished through a close examination of Catherine Malabou’s theory of the subject of trauma, as well as by contact with the research in epigenetics of Rachel Yehuda, and the research on intergenerational trauma among First Nations people in Canada conducted by Amy Bombay and colleagues. It presents original work that is responsive to recent advances in a variety of fields, including philosophy, psychology, social science, and biology.
A Comparative Study of Oral Health Status between International and Japanese University Student Patients in Japan
Authors: Ohsato Ai , Abe Masanobu , Ohkubo Kazumi , Yoshimasu Hidemi , Zong Liang , Hoshi Kazuto , Takato Tsuyoshi , Yanagimoto Shintaro , Yamamoto Kazuhiko
Published: May 2018

Background: The number of international students enrolled in universities in Japan is increasing. To provide better oral care services for international students, we have to understand their oral environment and dental health behaviors. However, few studies have investigated the oral health status of international university students. The object of the present study was to clarify the current oral status of international university students. Methods: The subjects were students who visited the dental department at the University of Tokyo’s Health Services Center between April 2012 and March 2013. Our medical records were reviewed with regard to the following items: attributes (nationality, gender, and age); chief complaint (reason for visit); history of dental treatment; mean number of decayed (D), missing (M) or filled (F) teeth as a single (DMFT) index; degree of calculus deposition; gingival condition; and oral hygiene status. Results: The records of 554 university students (138 international and 416 non-international students) were analyzed; 88.4% of the 138 international students were from Asian countries (n = 122), of which 47.1% were from China and 10.9% from Korea, followed by North America (5.8%), Europe (4.3%), and Africa (1.5%). Although no significant differences were found regarding the history of dental treatment between international and non-international students (49.3% and 48.8%, respectively), international students had a significantly higher dental caries morbidity rate (60.1%) than non-international students (49.0%). The international students showed a significantly higher DMFT value compared with the non-international students: 5.0 and 4.0 per individual, respectively. Severe calculus deposition was observed in international students compared with non-international students (51.9% and 31.7%, respectively). Conclusions: The international university students had poorer oral health status than the non-international students, even though the result might include many uncertainties and possible biases.
Implementing Sustainability in Retrofitting Heritage Buildings. Case Study: Villa Antoniadis, Alexandria, Egypt
Authors: Khalil Ahmed , Hammouda Naglaa , El-Deeb Khaled
Published: May 2018

Sustainable design is believed to stand on the opposite side of heritage conservation. This view is supported by the fact that sustainable design requires invasive measures to implement new technologies and treatments that challenge the principle of minimum intervention in heritage conservation. Another point of view sees heritage conservation as an already act of sustainable development that protects and preserves social and cultural resources such as heritage buildings and their intangible values. On the other hand, research and practice have proven that heritage buildings can be the subjects of sustainable design projects that achieve outstanding measures of sustainability and energy efficiency while not compromising the authenticity of the heritage value of the building. This sustainable conservation reaches its peak in adaptive-reuse projects of heritage buildings as reusing the building guarantees its ongoing maintenance and promotes its social, cultural and economic values to society, while giving it the ability to withstand modern users’ comfort and energy efficiency standards. This research presents a case study of the adaptive-reuse project of Villa Antoniadis in Alexandria; a heritage building built in the mid-nineteenth century and in the process of a major adaptive-reuse project. The history and significance of the building will be studied as well as the conservation values of the current project, then some proposals for interventions that could achieve more energy efficiency for the project while conserving the building are discussed. The research included a simulation of the building, using building energy modelling software for the current adaptive-reuse project as a base case, and the hypothetical application of different proposed sustainable interventions such as thermal insulation, double glazing, shading, lighting control, natural ventilation, and photovoltaic energy generation, where the energy savings potentials for each proposed intervention were studied. The simulation proved a possible reduction of 36.5% in the cooling, heating and lighting energy consumption as well as generated 74.7% of the energy required for cooling, heating and lighting from renewable energy sources.
Human Health Risk Assessment of Toxic Elements in Farmland Topsoil with Source Identification in Jilin Province, China
Authors: Li Fengxu , Zhang Jiquan , Cao Tiehua , Li Sijia , Chen Yanan , Liang Xuanhe , Zhao Xin , Chen Junwei
Published: May 2018

The presence of toxic elements in agricultural soils from anthropogenic activities is a potential threat to human health through the food chain. In this study, the concentration of toxic elements in 122 agricultural topsoil composite samples were determined in order to study the current status, identify their sources and assess the level of pollution and human health risk. The results showed that the mean concentrations of Zn, Cu, Pb, Cd, Hg and As in the farmland topsoil were 21.72, 15.09, 36.08, 0.2451, 0.0378 and 4.957 mg·kg−1, respectively. The spatial distribution showed that the soils were mainly contaminated by Cd, Pb and Hg in midwest Jilin but by Cu and As in the east. According to the pollution index (Pi), Nemerow integrated pollution index (PN) and Geo-Accumulation Index (Igeo), Cd and Pb were the main pollutants in the soils. The occurrence of these elements was caused by anthropogenic activities and they were concentrated in the Songyuan-Changchun-Siping economic belt. There is limited non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health risk to humans. Principal component analyses suggest the Pb, Cd and Hg soil contamination was mainly derived from anthropogenic activities in the Midwest, but all examined toxic elements in the east were mainly due to geogenic anomalies and came from atmospheric deposition.
Nursing Intervention Practices for Smoking Cessation: A Large Survey in Hong Kong
Authors: Mak Yim Wah , Loke Alice Yuen , Wong Frances K. Y.
Published: May 2018

Previous studies have shown that nursing interventions are effective in helping people to stop smoking, but that the participation of nurses in tobacco control activities has been far from satisfactory. The primary objective of this study is to identify factors that encourage or discourage nurses from participating in providing smoking-cessation interventions to their clients, based on the 5 A’s (ask, advise, assess, assist, arrange) framework. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 4413 nurses in Hong Kong from different clinical specialties. A logistics regression analysis found that predictors for the practicing of all of the 5 A’s are nurses who want to receive training in smoking-cessation interventions, those who have received such training, and those who are primarily working in a medical unit or in ambulatory/outpatient settings. The regression model also showed that attitude towards smoking cessation was positively associated with all of the 5 A’s. The results indicate a need to encourage and provide nurses with opportunities to receive training on smoking-cessation interventions. Strategies to persuade nurses to provide smoking-cessation interventions are also important, since nurses are motivated to perform smoking-cessation interventions when they feel a stronger sense of mission to control tobacco use.
Determinants of Inappropriate Admissions in County Hospitals in Rural China: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Zhang Yan , Zhang Liang , Li Haomiao , Chen Yingchun
Published: May 2018

Inappropriate admissions have contributed to the rapid increase in hospitalisations in rural China. This study characterised the degree and determinants of inappropriate admissions in county hospitals. We used expert consultation to develop an appropriateness evaluation protocol that included nine requirements for services and 21 indicators of disease severity. A total of 2230 medical records from 2014 were collected from five county hospitals by stratified cluster sampling and evaluated for appropriateness using the protocol in 2016. The determinants of inappropriate admissions were analysed by two-level logistic regression. The overall inappropriate admission rate was 15.2%. Patients aged <20 years (19.3%), patients in the paediatrics department (22.9%), patients with lower disease severity (22.3%), and patients without complications (17.0%) were more likely to have been inappropriately admitted than other groups. Age, treating department, disease severity, causes of hospitalisation, complications, and length of stay were determinants of inappropriate admission. Policymakers must act to reduce the high prevalence of inappropriate admissions in county hospitals in rural China, by guiding patients to seek primary care and changing the motivating mechanism of these hospitals.