bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wie die Eltern, so die Kinder? Ähnlichkeiten in der Zeitverwendung auf bildungsnahe Aktivitäten
Authors: Boll Christina , Lagemann Andreas
Published: March 2018

This article explores the determinants of the time use of children aged 10 to 17 for educational activities, focusing in particular on the role of corresponding parental educational activities. Results show significant correlations even when the usual socio-demographic characteristics of children and parents are controlled for. Multivariate analyses differentiate between six activity groups which are separately estimated for children aged 10 to 13 and 14 to 17, respectively. We find specific patterns for parental gender and employment status. Moreover, associations vary between working days and weekend. Strongest mirror correlations are found for media-related activities, both for mothers and fathers. In addition, children’s time use exhibits significant correlations to mothers’ time use with respect to cultural activities and arts, and to fathers’ time use concerning sports and games.

Zusammenfassung

Dieser Beitrag erforscht die Zeitverwendung von Kindern und Jugendlichen im Alter von 10 bis 17 Jahren auf bildungsnahe Aktivitäten und beleuchtet dabei insbesondere die Rolle gleichartiger elterlicher Aktivitäten. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass sogenannte Spiegelkorrelationen der Zeitverwendung auch dann signifikant sind, wenn für die üblichen sozio-demografischen Merkmale der Kinder und der Eltern kontrolliert wird. Die multivariaten Analysen differenzieren zwischen sechs Aktivitätengruppen, die jeweils separat für die Kindesaltersgruppen 10-13 Jahre und 14-17 Jahre geschätzt werden. Bezüglich der einzelnen Aktivitäten finden wir spezifische Muster nach Geschlecht und Erwerbsstatus der Eltern sowie Unterschiede zwischen Werk- und Wochenendtagen. Die stärksten Korrelationen betreffen die Mediennutzung der Väter und Mütter. Für Väter kommen signifikante Assoziationen in den Bereichen Sport und Spiele, für Mütter in den Bereichen Kunst und Kultur hinzu.
Kulturelle und musisch-ästhetische Bildung: Wie viel Zeit investieren Familien?
Authors: Gönsch Iris , Liersch Anja , Merkel Nora
Published: March 2018

Cultural education constitutes an important part of general knowledge/education and creates the foundation of cultural participation in society. Children and adolescents experience cultural education at school, but also at home and by visiting cultural institutions during leisure time. Using data from the German Time Use Survey 2012/13, this paper analyses the amount of time children and adolescents in Germany spend on culture and (fine) arts. These time designations are then linked to household characteristics. The analyses show that children and adolescents whose parents have a higher level of education spend significantly more time on activities classified as ‘high quality activities’. They spend significantly more time for artistic activities and reading and, in return, less time for cultural activities of lower quality like computer games and watching TV.

Zusammenfassung

Kulturelle Bildung stellt einen wichtigen Teil der Allgemeinbildung dar und schafft die Grundlage für die kulturelle Teilhabe an der Gesellschaft. Kinder und Jugendliche erfahren kulturelle Bildungin der Schule, aber auch im Elternhaus oder durch den Besuch kultureller Einrichtungen in der Freizeit. Dieser Beitrag untersucht anhand der Daten der Zeitverwendungserhebung 2012/13 die Zeitverwendung für kulturelle und musisch-ästhetische Aktivitäten von Kindern und Jugendlichen in Deutschland. Die von den Kindern und Jugendlichen für verschiedene kulturelle und musischästhetische Tätigkeiten aufgebrachte Zeit wird anschließend mit Haushaltscharakteristika verknüpft. Die Analysen zeigen, dass Kinder und Jugendliche, deren Eltern einen höheren Bildungsstand haben, signifikant mehr Zeit für als qualitativ ‚hochwertig‘ eingestufte Tätigkeiten verwenden. Sie bringen signifikant mehr Zeit für künstlerische Tätigkeiten sowie Lesen und dafür weniger Zeit für die als wenig ‚hochwertig‘ eingestuften Tätigkeiten Computerspielen und Fernsehen auf.
Human Brain Single Nucleotide Polymorphism: Validation of DNA Sequencing
Authors: Picher Ángel J. , Hernández Félix , Budeus Bettina , Soriano Eduardo , Avila Jesús
Published: March 2018

Genetic factors may be involved in the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. In the case of the familial type, the disease is due to an inherited mutation at specific sites in three genes. Also, there are some genetic risk factors that facilitate the development of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease. All of these genetic analyses were performed using blood samples as a source of DNA. However, the presence of somatic mutations in the brain can be identified only using brain samples. In this review, we comment on a method that correctly identifies single nucleotide variations in the human brain and that can be used to validate high-through sequencing techniques. This method involves selective enrichment of the DNA population bearing the nucleotide variations, thereby facilitating posterior validation of the data by Sanger’s sequencing.
Long-Term Non-Invasive Treatment via Intranasal Administration of Nerve Growth Factor Protects the Human Brain in Frontotemporal Dementia associated with Corticobasal Syndrome: A Pilot Study
Authors: de Bellis Alberto , de Bellis Massimo , Aloe Luigi
Published: March 2018

Background:

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is known for playing a critical protective role on a number of brain neurons in mammals, including humans. NGF can be delivered to the CNS via nasal route and has a neuroprotective action in case of neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective:

The aim of this study is to investigate for the first time whether purified NGF can play a neuroprotective role on human brain neurons affected by neurodegenerative diseases when administered via nasal route.

Methods:

Two female patients, both affected by frontotemporal dementia (FTD) associated with corticobasal syndrome (CBS) at different stages of disease progression, received a daily intranasal NGF spray for one year. Clinical/neurological aspects were observed over time. The follow-up study was performed using 18 FDG PET.

Results:

This case study seems to demonstrate that IN-NGF slows down the common decline caused by FTD/CBS.

Conclusions:

These findings suggest the potential neuroprotective role of IN-NGF administered in case of neurodegenerative diseases.
Assessment of the Influence of Graphene Nanoparticles on Thermal Conductivity of Graphene/Water Nanofluids Using Factorial Design of Experiments
Authors: Periasamy Srinivasan Manikandan , Baskar Rajoo
Published: March 2018

In this study, 23 factorial design of experiment was employed to evaluate the effect of parameters of hot fluid inlet temperature, graphene nanofluid concentration and hot fluid flow rate on thermal conductivity of graphene/water nanofluid. The levels of  hot fluid inlet temperature are kept at 35°C and 85°C, nanofluid concentration is kept at 0.1 and 1.0 volume% (vol.%) and the hot fluid flow rate are kept at 2 lpm and 10 lpm. Experiments were conducted with 16 runs as per MINITAB design software using graphene/water nanofluids in the corrugated plate type heat exchanger.  The nanofluid thermal conductivity was determined using the mixing rule for different nanofluid concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1.0%. Normal, Pareto, Residual, Main and Interaction effects, Contour Plots were drawn. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of test results depict that the hot fluid temperature and nanofluid concentration have significant effect on the thermal conductivity of graphene/water nanofluid (response variable).
Measuring Identification and Quantification Errors in Spectral CT Material Decomposition
Authors: Raja Aamir , Moghiseh Mahdieh , Bateman Christopher , De Ruiter Niels , Schon Benjamin , Schleich Nanette , Woodfield Tim , Butler Anthony , Anderson Nigel
Published: March 2018

Material decomposition methods are used to identify and quantify multiple tissue components in spectral CT but there is no published method to quantify the misidentification of materials. This paper describes a new method for assessing misidentification and mis-quantification in spectral CT. We scanned a phantom containing gadolinium (1, 2, 4, 8 mg/mL), hydroxyapatite (54.3, 211.7, 808.5 mg/mL), water and vegetable oil using a MARS spectral scanner equipped with a poly-energetic X-ray source operated at 118 kVp and a CdTe Medipix3RX camera. Two imaging protocols were used; both with and without 0.375 mm external brass filter. A proprietary material decomposition method identified voxels as gadolinium, hydroxyapatite, lipid or water. Sensitivity and specificity information was used to evaluate material misidentification. Biological samples were also scanned. There were marked differences in identification and quantification between the two protocols even though spectral and linear correlation of gadolinium and hydroxyapatite in the reconstructed images was high and no qualitative segmentation differences in the material decomposed images were observed. At 8 mg/mL, gadolinium was correctly identified for both protocols, but concentration was underestimated by over half for the unfiltered protocol. At 1 mg/mL, gadolinium was misidentified in 38% of voxels for the filtered protocol and 58% of voxels for the unfiltered protocol. Hydroxyapatite was correctly identified at the two higher concentrations for both protocols, but mis-quantified for the unfiltered protocol. Gadolinium concentration as measured in the biological specimen showed a two-fold difference between protocols. In future, this methodology could be used to compare and optimize scanning protocols, image reconstruction methods, and methods for material differentiation in spectral CT.
Prostate Clinical Outlook Visualization System for Patients and Clinicians Considering Cyberknife Treatment—A Personalized Approach
Authors: Park Jihwan , Rho Mi , Dritschilo Anatoly , Choi In , Mun Seong
Published: March 2018

Background: When a patient presents with localized prostate cancer, referral for radiation oncology consultation includes a discussion of likely outcomes of therapy. Among current radiation treatments for prostate cancers, hypo-fractionated stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has gained clinical acceptance based on efficacy, short duration of treatment, and the potential radiobiological advantages. The Prostate Clinical Outlook Visualization System (PCOVS) was developed to provide the patient and the clinician with a tool to visualize probable treatment outcomes using institutional, patient specific data for comparing results of treatment. Methods: We calculated the prostate cancer outcomes—for each prospective patient using the EPIC-26 quality of life parameters based on clinical outcomes data of 580 prostate cancer patients who were treated with SBRT. We applied Kaplan-Meier analysis using the ASTRO definition for biochemical recurrence (BCR) free survival and likely outcome and the PCOVS nomogram to calculate parameters for quality of life. Open-source R, RShiny, and MySQL were used to develop a modularized architecture system. Results: The PCOVS presents patient specific risk scores in a gauge chart style and risk free probability bar plots to compare the treatment data of patients treated with SBRT. The PCOVS generates reports, in PDF, which consists of a comparison charts of risk free probabilities late effects and gauge charts of risk scores. This system is now being expanded as a web-based service to patients. Conclusions: The PCOVS visualized patient specific likely outcomes were compared to treatment data from a single department, helping the patient and the clinician to visualize likely outcomes. The PCOVS approach can be expanded to other specialties of oncology with the flexible, modularized architecture, which can be customized by changing independent modules.
Modeling Intelligent Control Switch IEC 61850 Based Substation Automation Communication
Authors: Nimma Kutaiba , Faraj Sabah
Published: March 2018

With the advent of the new information technologies, the power communication service object is continuously enhanced by the modernization level of the switches architecture designed in the substation automation environment. In the futuristic plan, the communication network not only provides a transmission line between devices, but also takes into account the reliability and efficiency of the power system communication network. Many protocols are used for the provision of faster and more robust communication among control centers, Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs). These protocols support the exchange of a wide range of possible common data that is organized by a DATA-SET, such as in synchronized circuit breaker switching, distance protection and overcurrent protection. However, these protocols do not give the expected performance with standard switches architectures due to the remarkable traffic in power system communication. To address this issue, this paper modelled a substation automation switch based on the packet forwarder technique based on Generic Object Oriented Substation Event (GOOSE) protocol with different architectures of substation automation switches based International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850 standard. Finally, the simulations results found that the architecture of the four-switch system showed a significant performance, as compared with other architectures.
Validation Study for an Atmospheric Dispersion Model, Using Effective Source Heights Determined from Wind Tunnel Experiments in Nuclear Safety Analysis
Authors: Oura Masamichi , Ohba Ryohji , Robins Alan , Kato Shinsuke
Published: March 2018

For more than fifty years, atmospheric dispersion predictions based on the joint use of a Gaussian plume model and wind tunnel experiments have been applied in both Japan and the U.K. for the evaluation of public radiation exposure in nuclear safety analysis. The effective source height used in the Gaussian model is determined from ground-level concentration data obtained by a wind tunnel experiment using a scaled terrain and site model. In the present paper, the concentrations calculated by this method are compared with data observed over complex terrain in the field, under a number of meteorological conditions. Good agreement was confirmed in near-neutral and unstable stabilities. However, it was found to be necessary to reduce the effective source height by 50% in order to achieve a conservative estimation of the field observations in a stable atmosphere.
A Type of the Shadowing Properties for Generic View Points
Authors: Lee Manseob
Published: March 2018

We show that if a C 1 generic diffeomorphism of a closed smooth two-dimensional manifold has the average shadowing property or the asymptotic average shadowing property, then it is Anosov. Moreover, if a C 1 generic vector field of a closed smooth three-dimensional manifold has the average shadowing property or the asymptotic average shadowing property, then it satisfies singular Axiom A without cycles.
Amyloid Assembly Endows Gad m 1 with Biomineralization Properties
Authors: Castellanos Milagros , Torres-Pardo Almudena , Rodríguez-Pérez Rosa , Gasset María
Published: March 2018

Acid proteins capable of nucleating Ca2+ and displaying aggregation capacity play key roles in the formation of calcium carbonate biominerals. The helix-loop helix EF-hands are the most common Ca2+-binding motifs in proteins. Calcium is bound by the loop region. These motifs are found in many proteins that are regulated by calcium. Gad m 1, an Atlantic cod β-parvalbumin isoform, is a monomeric EF-hand protein that acts as a Ca2+ buffer in fish muscle; the neutral and acid apo-forms of this protein can form amyloids. Since Ca2+-nucleating proteins have a propensity to form extended β-strand structures, we wondered whether amyloid assemblies of an EF-hand protein were able to influence calcium carbonate crystallization in vitro. Here, we used the Gad m 1 chain as a model to generate monomeric and amyloid assemblies and to analyze their effect on calcite formation in vitro. We found that only amyloid assemblies alter calcite morphology.
The Direct and Indirect Roles of NF-κB in Cancer: Lessons from Oncogenic Fusion Proteins and Knock-in Mice
Authors: Riedlinger Tabea , Haas Jana , Busch Julia , Van de Sluis Bart , Kracht Michael , Schmitz M.
Published: March 2018

NF-κB signaling pathways play an important role in the regulation of cellular immune and stress responses. Aberrant NF-κB activity has been implicated in almost all the steps of cancer development and many of the direct and indirect contributions of this transcription factor system for oncogenesis were revealed in the recent years. The indirect contributions affect almost all hallmarks and enabling characteristics of cancer, but NF-κB can either promote or antagonize these tumor-supportive functions, thus prohibiting global NF-κB inhibition. The direct effects are due to mutations of members of the NF-κB system itself. These mutations typically occur in upstream components that lead to the activation of NF-κB together with further oncogenesis-promoting signaling pathways. In contrast, mutations of the downstream components, such as the DNA-binding subunits, contribute to oncogenic transformation by affecting NF-κB-driven transcriptional output programs. Here, we discuss the features of recently identified oncogenic RelA fusion proteins and the characterization of pathways that are regulating the transcriptional activity of NF-κB by regulatory phosphorylations. As NF-κB’s central role in human physiology prohibits its global inhibition, these auxiliary or cell type-specific NF-κB regulating pathways are potential therapeutic targets.
Assessment of Post-Earthquake Damage: St. Salvatore Church in Acquapagana, Central Italy
Authors: Sferrazza Papa Gessica , Silva Benedetta
Published: March 2018

This article proposes a multidisciplinary approach for the assessment of seismic damage from the perspective of conservation and prevention. A comparison of the state of damage has been carried out in a case study, St. Salvatore church in Acquapagana (MC), as an example of church, which underwent two important seismic events in the Central Italy area, the 1997 and the 2016 earthquakes. The comparison of the state of damage passes through the following stages: (a) the territorial seismic overview; (b) the historical description and material analysis; (c) the identification of macro-elements with activated damage mechanisms; (d) the comparison between the two seismic events both from a territorial- and building-scale perspective. This work puts together the archived and the on-site survey data with those elaborated starting from seismogenic information, available from the National Seismological Institute, and it provides a strategy also for other similar conditions. This work is to be considered a contribution to a wider study that could be carried out in the areas hit by the 2016 earthquake. It could also represent a way to collect documentation in the post-earthquake phase, improving the effectiveness of procedures currently applied to the first level of damage assessment.
Current Progress of Si/Graphene Nanocomposites for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Cen Yinjie , Sisson Richard , Qin Qingwei , Liang Jianyu
Published: March 2018

The demand for high performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is increasing due to widespread use of portable devices and electric vehicles. Silicon (Si) is one of the most attractive candidate anode materials for next generation LIBs. However, the high-volume change (>300%) during lithium ion alloying/de-alloying leads to poor cycle life. When Si is used as the anode, conductive carbon is needed to provide the necessary conductivity. However, the traditional carbon coating method could not overcome the challenges of pulverization and unstable Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer during long-term cycling. Since 2010, Si/Graphene composites have been vigorously studied in hopes of providing a material with better cycling performance. This paper reviews current progress of Si/Graphene nanocomposites in LIBs. Different fabrication methods have been studied to synthesize Si/Graphene nanocomposites with promising electrochemical performances. Graphene plays a key enabling role in Si/Graphene anodes. However, the desired properties of graphene for this application have not been systematically studied and understood. Further systematic investigation of the desired graphene properties is suggested to better control the Si/Graphene anode performance.
TEM Nano-Moiré Pattern Analysis of a Copper/Single Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposite Synthesized by Laser Surface Implanting
Authors: Tu Jay
Published: March 2018

In our previous studies, we have developed a wet process to synthesize a copper-single walled carbon nanotube (Cu–SWCNT) metal nanocomposite with excellent mechanical properties. The nanostructure of this Cu–SWCNT composite was confirmed independently by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping, spectroscopy measurements, and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images with discernable SWCNT clusters in nano sizes. However, TEM images with discernable nano-sized SWCNT clusters are rare. In this paper, we present analysis of indirect TEM image patterns, such as moiré fringes, to infer the existence of SWCNT clusters within the copper matrix. Moiré fringes or patterns in the TEM images of a Cu–SWCNT nanocomposite could be generated due to the overlapping of more than one thin crystals with similar periodic arrangements of atoms, promoted by SWCNT clusters. However, the presence of moiré patterns is not a sufficient or a necessary condition for the existence of SWCNT clusters. It was found that based on the overlapping angle of two periodic arrangements, it is feasible to distinguish the moiré fringes induced by SWCNT clusters from those by other factors, such as dislocations. The ability to identify SWCNTs within the copper matrix based on indirect TEM moiré patterns helps to widen the usability of TEM images.
The Complex Interplay between Chronic Inflammation, the Microbiome, and Cancer: Understanding Disease Progression and What We Can Do to Prevent It
Authors: Armstrong Heather , Bording-Jorgensen Michael , Dijk Stephanie , Wine Eytan
Published: March 2018

Cancer is a multifaceted condition, in which a senescent cell begins dividing in an irregular manner due to various factors such as DNA damage, growth factors and inflammation. Inflammation is not typically discussed as carcinogenic; however, a significant percentage of cancers arise from chronic microbial infections and damage brought on by chronic inflammation. A hallmark cancer-inducing microbe is Helicobacter pylori and its causation of peptic ulcers and potentially gastric cancer. This review discusses the recent developments in understanding microbes in health and disease and their potential role in the progression of cancer. To date, microbes can be linked to almost every cancer, including colon, pancreatic, gastric, and even prostate. We discuss the known mechanisms by which these microbes can induce cancer growth and development and how inflammatory cells may contribute to cancer progression. We also discuss new treatments that target the chronic inflammatory conditions and their associated cancers, and the impact microbes have on treatment success. Finally, we examine common dietary misconceptions in relation to microbes and cancer and how to avoid getting caught up in the misinterpretation and over inflation of the results.
Role of Pattern Recognition Receptors in KSHV Infection
Authors: Uppal Timsy , Sarkar Roni , Dhelaria Ranjit , Verma Subhash
Published: March 2018

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus or Human herpesvirus-8 (KSHV/HHV-8), an oncogenic human herpesvirus and the leading cause of cancer in HIV-infected individuals, is a major public health concern with recurring reports of epidemics on a global level. The early detection of KSHV virus and subsequent activation of the antiviral immune response by the host’s immune system are crucial to prevent KSHV infection. The host’s immune system is an evolutionary conserved system that provides the most important line of defense against invading microbial pathogens, including viruses. Viruses are initially detected by the cells of the host innate immune system, which evoke concerted antiviral responses via the secretion of interferons (IFNs) and inflammatory cytokines/chemokines for elimination of the invaders. Type I IFN and cytokine gene expression are regulated by multiple intracellular signaling pathways that are activated by germline-encoded host sensors, i.e., pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize a conserved set of ligands, known as ‘pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs)’. On the contrary, persistent and dysregulated signaling of PRRs promotes numerous tumor-causing inflammatory events in various human cancers. Being an integral component of the mammalian innate immune response and due to their constitutive activation in tumor cells, targeting PRRs appears to be an effective strategy for tumor prevention and/or treatment. Cellular PRRs are known to respond to KSHV infection, and KSHV has been shown to be armed with an array of strategies to selectively inhibit cellular PRR-based immune sensing to its benefit. In particular, KSHV has acquired specific immunomodulatory genes to effectively subvert PRR responses during the early stages of primary infection, lytic reactivation and latency, for a successful establishment of a life-long persistent infection. The current review aims to comprehensively summarize the latest advances in our knowledge of role of PRRs in KSHV infections.
Catalytic Conversion of Model Tars over Carbon-Supported Ni and Fe
Authors: Arteaga-Pérez Luis , Delgado Aaron , Flores Mauricio , Olivera Patricia , Matschuk Kimberley , Hamel Christian , Schulzke Tim , Jiménez Romel
Published: March 2018

Tar removal from gasification gases is a determinant step to guarantee the operational feasibility of gasification-to-chemicals/energy systems. This study aimed to develop novel carbon-supported catalysts for the elimination of tarry aromatics (toluene, naphthalene and benzene) from gasification gases. Effects of reaction temperature (700 < T < 900 °C) and catalyst nature (Fe0 and Ni0) on the activity were assessed by considering thermo-catalytic conversion and steam reforming, under a simulated gasification gas. The catalysts (Ni and Fe) and support (AC) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 physisorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and compositional analyses. Both catalysts and support, presented a mesoporous-like texture with a considerable high surface area (690 < SBET < 743 m2/g). Furthermore, dispersion of the metal nanoparticles (active phase) was uniform as confirmed by TEM images. Results from activity tests suggest that Ni/AC has higher effectivity for converting tars than Fe/AC, as confirmed by the low apparent activation energies (34 < Eapp < 98 kJ/mol) for naphthalene and benzene conversion between 700 and 900 °C. The conversion was 100% above 850 °C; nevertheless; below 750 °C, a sharp reduction in benzene conversion was observed, which was attributed to reversible carbon deposition.
Platinum Group Metal Phosphides as Efficient Catalysts in Hydroprocessing and Syngas-Related Catalysis
Authors: Alvarado Rupflin Luis , Boscagli Chiara , Schunk Stephan
Published: March 2018

Platinum group metal phosphides are reviewed as catalytic materials for hydroprocessing and syngas-related catalysis. Starting from synthetic procedures leading to highly disperse nano-particular compounds, their properties in the applications are discussed and compared with relevant benchmarks, if available. Regarding their mode of action, two confronting mechanistic scenarios are presented: (i) a cooperative scenario in which catalytic sites of different functionalities are active in hydroprocessing and (ii) single site catalysis, which appears to be the relevant mode of action in syngas-related catalysis and which occurs over “frustrated” active sites.
Larger Than Life: Injecting Hope into the Planetary Health Paradigm
Authors: Prescott Susan , Logan Alan
Published: March 2018

The term planetary health, popularized in the 1980s and 1990s, was born out of necessity; although the term was used by many diverse groups, it was consistently used to underscore that human health is coupled to the health of natural systems within the Earth’s biosphere. The interrelated challenges of climate change, massive biodiversity losses, environmental degradation, grotesque socioeconomic inequalities, conflicts, and a crisis of non-communicable diseases are, mildly stated, daunting. Despite ‘doomsday’ scenarios, there is plenty of room for hope and optimism in planetary health. All over planet Earth, humans are making efforts at the macro, meso and micro scales to promote the health of civilization with the ingredients of hope—agency and pathway thinking; we propose that planetary health requires a greater commitment to understanding hope at the personal and collective levels. Prioritizing hope as an asset in planetary health necessitates deeper knowledge and discourse concerning the barriers to hope and the ways in which hope and the utopian impulse are corrupted; in particular, it requires examining the ways in which hope is leveraged by advantaged groups and political actors to maintain the status quo, or even promote retrograde visions completely at odds with planetary health. Viewing the Earth as a superorganism, with humans as the collective ‘nervous system’, may help with an understanding of the ways in which experience and emotions lead to behavioral responses that may, or may not be, in the best interest of planetary health. We argue that the success of planetary health solutions is predicated on a more sophisticated understanding of the psychology of prevention and intervention at all scales.
Electronic Structure Characterization of Hydrogen Terminated n-type Silicon Passivated by Benzoquinone-Methanol Solutions
Authors: Chen Meixi , Hack James , Lin Xi , Janotti Anderson , Opila Robert
Published: March 2018

The electrical passivation mechanism of benzoquinone-methanol solutions on silicon has been examined through the study of the silicon surface electronic structure. Surface photovoltage (SPV) measurements using both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning Kelvin probe microscopy (SKPM) indicate a downward band bending of H-Si and benzoquinone (BQ) and methanol (ME) treated samples. This suggests the creation of an accumulation layer of majority carriers near the surface, with a significant field-effect contribution to the observed surface passivation. The highest SPV values recorded for the ME-Si and BQ-Si samples of about −220 mV are approaching the Fermi level—conduction band crossover. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that a dipole is formed upon bonding of BQ radicals on the surface, decreasing the surface electron affinity and work function. Considering the 0.07 eV shift due to the dipole and the 0.17 eV downward band bending, the work function of BQ-Si is found to be 4.08 eV. Both the dipole and downward band bending contribute to the formation of surface electron accumulation, and decrease the minority carrier density of n-Si passivated by BQ.
The Effect of Deposition Parameters on the Structure and Mechanical Properties of Chromium Oxide Coatings Deposited by Reactive Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Mohammadtaheri Masoud , Yang Qiaoqin , Li Yuanshi , Corona-Gomez Jesus
Published: March 2018

Appropriate conditions for depositing hard Cr2O3 coatings by reactive sputtering techniques have yet to be defined. To fill this gap, the effect of principal deposition parameters, including deposition pressure, temperature, Cr-target voltage, and Ar/O2 ratio, on both the structure and mechanical properties of chromium oxide coatings was investigated. A relationship between processing, structure, and the mechanical properties of chromium oxide coatings was established. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the morphology, structure, and chemical compositions of the coatings that were prepared. An optical profilometer was employed to measure both the roughness and thickness of the coatings. The hardness and Young’s modulus of the coatings both as-deposited and after annealing conditions were measured by nanoindentation. The results showed that depositing hard Cr2O3 coatings is a highly critical task, requiring special deposition conditions. Cr2O3 coatings with a high hardness of approximately 25 GPa could be achieved at room temperature, at a low pressure of 1.6 × 10−1 Pa, where Cr-target voltage and oxygen content were 260 V and between 15–25 vol % of total gas, respectively. A dense stoichiometric Cr2O3 structure was found to be responsible for the high chromium oxide coating hardness observed.
Global Reliability Sensitivity Analysis Based on Maximum Entropy and 2-Layer Polynomial Chaos Expansion
Authors: Zhao Jianyu , Zeng Shengkui , Guo Jianbin , Du Shaohua
Published: March 2018

To optimize contributions of uncertain input variables on the statistical parameter of given model, e.g., reliability, global reliability sensitivity analysis (GRSA) provides an appropriate tool to quantify the effects. However, it may be difficult to calculate global reliability sensitivity indices compared with the traditional global sensitivity indices of model output, because statistical parameters are more difficult to obtain, Monte Carlo simulation (MCS)-related methods seem to be the only ways for GRSA but they are usually computationally demanding. This paper presents a new non-MCS calculation to evaluate global reliability sensitivity indices. This method proposes: (i) a 2-layer polynomial chaos expansion (PCE) framework to solve the global reliability sensitivity indices; and (ii) an efficient method to build a surrogate model of the statistical parameter using the maximum entropy (ME) method with the moments provided by PCE. This method has a dramatically reduced computational cost compared with traditional approaches. Two examples are introduced to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method. It also suggests that the important ranking of model output and associated failure probability may be different, which could help improve the understanding of the given model in further optimization design.
Code-Switching Explorations in Teaching Early Number Sense
Authors: Arias de Sanchez Gabriela , Gabriel Martha , Anderson Ann , Turnbull Miles
Published: March 2018

New semiotic perspectives about the role of language in mathematics education indicate that teachers have a fundamental role in communicating and teaching the language that carries mathematical meaning. However, little is known about how educators of young children understand and use the language of mathematics. This study addresses this void. Supported by the understanding that mathematics has its own language (Pimm, 1987), the study focuses on code switching—the mixing of words from two languages—by educators as they shift between the language of instruction and the language of mathematics. A qualitative multiple case study approach utilizing discourse analysis was used to explore three early years teachers’ math talk. Findings indicate that these educators code-switched to the mathematics register when they talked about numbers, number words and counting, to revoice students’ ideas, to explain students’ and teachers’ actions, to provide new math information, and when they chose between two terms that belonged to the math register. Findings also demonstrated that educators preferred to avoid the use of the mathematics’ register and relied instead on what the educators called “familiar language.” Findings further indicated the presence of semantic patterns between perceptual terms and the mathematics register.
DoA and DoD Estimation and Hybrid Beamforming for Radar-Aided mmWave MIMO Vehicular Communication Systems
Authors: Chen Zhimin , Cao Zhenxin , He Xinyi , Jin Yi , Li Jingchao , Chen Peng
Published: March 2018

In millimeter wave (mmWave) communications, the feature of relatively large signal absorption and directional transmission render new challenges for wireless communications and signal processing. To further improve the performance of mmWave communications, a novel radar-aided mmWave communication (RAMC) approach is proposed, which can be used in vehicular communications. There are two parts in the proposed RAMC system, including the radar subsystem and the mmWave communication subsystem. In the radar subsystem, the bistatic co-prime multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) arrays are considered. With the radar antenna arrays, both the directions of departure (DoD) and the directions of arrival (DoA) are estimated. Additionally, the compressed sensing (CS)-based method is proposed to obtain the target positions. Using the estimated angle and position information, the channel estimation and feedback link of the mmWave communication subsystem can be eliminated. Moreover, a hybrid beamforming algorithm is proposed in the mmWave communication subsystem, which can overcome the shortage of the analog-only beamforming. Simulation results show that the better estimation performance can be achieved by the bistatic co-prime MIMO arrays than that by the traditional uniform linear arrays (ULA), and with the radar aided, the mmWave communication subsystem can reduce the beam search time, and the cell discovery time is improved significantly.
A Three-Coil Inductively Power Transfer System with Constant Voltage Output
Authors: Mai Ruikun , Zhang Youyuan , Dai Ruimin , Chen Yang , He Zhengyou
Published: March 2018

For a traditional 2-coil system outputting constant voltage (CV), the transfer efficiency decreases drastically as transfer distance increases. To solve this problem, this essay proposes a 3-coil system which could achieve CV output and Zero Phase Angle (ZPA) conditions with specific parameter values. This 3-coil system could partly relief transfer efficiency fall at a long transfer distance, without any complicated controls. In order to achieve CV and ZPA condition, this essay devises the parameter values based on the decoupling 3-coil model, and a prototype is designed accordingly to verify these characteristics. With 10 cm transfer distance, output voltage deviation is 5.5% as the load varies from 12 Ω to 200 Ω, proving that the output voltage almost keeps constant with load change. Furthermore, with software simulation, a comparison experiment between the proposed 3-coil system and a Series-Inductor-Capacitor-Inductor (S-LCL) compensated 2-coil system is built to verify the efficiency improvement. The transfer distance change leads to the differentiation of voltage gain for both 2-coil and 3-coil systems. So, the input voltage for both systems and the compensated capacitor in receiver loop of the 3-coil system are manipulated for keeping 60 V output voltage on the 12 Ω load. With distance increasing from 10 cm to 20 cm, transfer efficiency varies from 92.61 to 48.9% for the 2-coil system, and from 92.89 to 84.26% for the 3-coil system, effectively proving the efficiency improvement. The experiment and simulation results prove the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Life Cycle Performance of Hydrogen Production via Agro-Industrial Residue Gasification—A Small Scale Power Plant Study
Authors: Rajabi Hamedani Sara , Villarini Mauro , Colantoni Andrea , Moretti Michele , Bocci Enrico
Published: March 2018

This study evaluates the environmental profile of a real biomass-based hydrogen production small-scale (1 MWth) system composed of catalytic candle indirectly heated steam gasifier coupled with zinc oxide (ZnO) guard bed, water gas shift (WGS) and pressure swing absorber (PSA) reactors. Environmental performance from cradle-to-gate was investigated by life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. Biomass production shows high influence over all impact categories. In the syngas production process, the main impacts observed are global warming potential (GWP) and acidification potential (AP). Flue gas emission from gasifier burner has the largest proportion of total GWP. The residual off gas use in internal combustion engine (ICE) leads to important environmental savings for all categories. Hydrogen renewability score is computed as 90% due to over 100% decline in non-renewable energy demand. Sensitivity analysis shows that increase in hydrogen production efficiency does not necessarily result in decrease in environmental impacts. In addition, economic allocation of environmental charges increases all impact categories, especially AP and photochemical oxidation (POFP).
Yak IGF2 Promotes Fibroblast Proliferation Via Suppression of IGF1R and PI3KCG Expression
Authors: Zhang Quanwei , Wang Qi , Gong Jishang , Du Jiaxing , Zhang Yong , Zhao Xingxu
Published: March 2018

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) recapitulates many of the activities of insulin and promotes differentiation of myoblasts and osteoblasts, which likely contribute to genetic variations of growth potential. However, little is known about the functions and signaling properties of IGF2 variants in yaks. The over-expression vector and knockdown sequence of yak IGF2 were transfected into yak fibroblasts, and the effects were detected by a series of assays. IGF2 expression in yak muscle tissues was significantly lower than that of other tissues. In yak fibroblasts, the up-regulated expression of IGF2 inhibits expression of IGF1 and insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor (IGF2R) and significantly up-regulates expression of IGF1R. Inhibition of IGF2 expression caused the up-regulates expression of IGF1, IGF1R and IGF2R. Both over-expression and knockdown of IGF2 resulted in up-regulation of threonine protein kinase 1 (Akt1) expression and down-regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, catalytic subunit gamma (PIK3CG). Cell cycle and cell proliferation assays revealed that over-expression of IGF2 enhanced the DNA synthesis phase and promoted yak fibroblasts proliferation. Conversely, knockdown of IGF2 decreased DNA synthesis and inhibited proliferation. These results suggested that IGF2 was negatively correlated with IGF1R and PIK3CG and demonstrated an association with the IGFs-PI3K-Akt (IGFs-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase- threonine protein kinase) pathway in cell proliferation and provided evidence supporting the functional role of IGF2 for use in improving the production performance of yaks.
The Patient Experience: Informing Practice through Identification of Meaningful Communication from the Patient’s Perspective
Authors: Grocott Angela , McSherry Wilfred
Published: March 2018

(1) Background: There is limited empirical knowledge concerning aspects of healthcare that contribute to a good patient experience from the patient’s perspective and how patient feedback informs service development. (2) Aim: To examine the issues that influence the effectiveness of communication on patient satisfaction, experience and engagement, in an acute National Health Service (NHS) setting, through identification of the patient’s requirements and expectations. (3) Method: Data was gathered from a large teaching hospital using a Friends and Family Test (FFT) and a communication specific survey. Both surveys captured patient narrative to identify predominant influences to explain the quantitative responses. (4) Results: The key priorities for patients are involvement in their care and receiving the right amount of information to support this. However, the delivery of compassionate care was identified as having the most influence on the likelihood of patients to recommend an acute NHS Trust. (5) Conclusion: The findings support a broader understanding of the constituents of an all-encompassing patient experience from the patient’s perspective. (6) Implications: healthcare organizations need to focus their resources on how to improve patient/provider communication to support patients to be true partners in their care.
Condom Use at Last Sexual Intercourse and Its Correlates among Males and Females Aged 15–49 Years in Nepal
Authors: Sharma Bimala , Nam Eun
Published: March 2018

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of condom use at last sexual intercourse among people aged 15–49 years in Nepal. Secondary data analysis was performed using the Nepal Demographic and Health Survey 2011. The study was restricted to the respondents who reported ever having had sexual intercourse; 9843 females and 3017 males were included. Condom use was assessed by asking if respondents used condoms in their most recent sexual intercourse. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed using Complex Sample Analysis Procedure to adjust for sample weight and multistage sampling design. Overall, 7.6% of total, and 16.3% of males and 6.2% of females reported using condoms in their last sexual intercourse. Living in Far-Western region, age and wealth quintile were positively associated with condom use in both males and females. Being unmarried was the most important predictor of condom use among males. Higher education was associated with increased likelihood of condom use in females. However, mobility, having multiple sexual partners, and HIV knowledge were not significant correlates of condom use in both sexes. A big difference was observed in the variance accounted for males and females; indicating use of condoms is poorly predicted by the variables included in the study among females. Condom use was more associated with sociodemographic factors than with sexual behavior and HIV knowledge.
Evaluating the Capability of Grass Swale for the Rainfall Runoff Reduction from an Urban Parking Lot, Seoul, Korea
Authors: Shafique Muhammad , Kim Reeho , Kyung-Ho Kwon
Published: March 2018

This field study elaborates the role of grass swale in the management of stormwater in an urban parking lot. Grass swale was constructed by using different vegetations and local soil media in the parking lot of Mapu-gu Seoul, Korea. In this study, rainfall runoff was first retained in soil and the vegetation layers of the grass swale, and then infiltrated rainwater was collected with the help of underground perforated pipe, and passed to an underground storage trench. In this way, grass swale detained a large amount of rainwater for a longer period of time and delayed peak discharge. In this field study, various real storm events were monitored and the research results were analyzed to evaluate the performance of grass swale for managing rainfall runoff in an urban area. From the analysis of field experiments, grass swale showed the significant rainfall runoff retention in different rain events. Grass swale markedly reduced total rainfall runoff volume and peak flow during the small storm events of intensity about 30 mm/h. From the analysis, on average rainfall runoff retention from the grass swale was found around 40 to 75% during the various small rain events. From the results, we can say that grass swale is a stormwater mitigation practice which can help avoid flash flooding problems in urban areas.