bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fracturas diafisiarias de fémur en pacientes pediátricos del Centenario Hospital Miguel Hidalgo. Estudio epidemiológico de cinco años
Authors: Reyes-Hernández Lydia Alessandra , Barajas- Salcedo Gerardo , Cervantes-Gudiño Jorge Enrique
Published: March 2019

Las fracturas diafisarias de fémur comprenden el 4% de los huesos largos en pacientes pediátricos. Es la lesión que más necesita hospitalización. Las principales causas son caídas y accidentes de tránsito; sin embargo, en niños menores de edad, el abuso debe ser considerado. El tratamiento de estas fracturas está determinado por una serie de factores que incluyen edad y peso, características de la fractura, mecanismo de lesión, situación social de la familia y comorbilidades del paciente. El estudio es retrospectivo y descriptivo de cinco años con el objetivo de conocer la prevalencia, el sitio anatómico más afectado, mecanismo de lesión y tratamiento otorgado. Se recolectaron 52 pacientes, de los cuales predominó 3:1 el sexo masculino, la edad promedio fue de 6.88 años. El grupo de edad que mayor porcentaje representó fue los menores de 7 años, tipo de trazo de fractura que más se presentó fue el transverso.  El 88.5 % fueron fracturas no expuestas de las cuales el 60.86% recibió manejo conservador, mientras que las fracturas expuestas el 100% fue tratada mediante tratamiento quirúrgico. El 70 % de los pacientes no presentó complicación alguna y todos egresaron por mejoría. La prevalencia que encontramos fue de 3 por cada 1000 pacientes que llegaron al servicio de urgencias pediátricas por lesiones traumáticas y se concluye que en el servicio de ortopedia pediátrica cada paciente recibió un tratamiento individualizado, y se esperar un pronóstico bueno para la extremidad afectada y para la vida. LUXMÉDICA, AÑO 14, NÚMERO 40, ENERO-ABRIL 2019 PP 17-27.
Locura de Maximiliano en Fortunata y Jacinta: un estudio psicoanalítico
Authors: Coşkun Adıgüzel Saliha Seniz
Published: March 2019

El
presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar el progresivo deterioro mental de
Maximiliano Rubín, uno de los personajes principales de la novela Fortunata y Jacinta de Benito Pérez
Galdós, a la luz de la crítica psicoanalítica de lacaniana. El análisis se
centra en la incapacidad de Maximiliano para construir su subjetividad e
integrarse en lo Simbólico de Lacan. El objetivo de esta investigación es
descubrir las causas de la locura de Maximiliano, refiriéndonos a sus
relaciones con su familia y su entorno, sobre todo con las mujeres (su madre, su
tía, y Fortunata, su mujer), a su uso del lenguaje, a sus sueños y presentar
una lectura basada en el psicoanálisis lacaniano.
Smart Grid in ensuring the intellectualization of the energy system of Ukraine
Authors: Bondarenko Svitlana
Published: March 2019

The purpose of the article is to study the role and place of the Smart Grid in the process of intellectualizing the energy system of Ukraine. The article defines the essence of the category of "intellectualization of the power system", which made it possible to identify the features of "intelligent" networks in the power industry. Based on the systematization of foreign experience in implementing Smart-strategies in the process of intellectualizing the energy system, the practical possibilities of implementing the main provisions in the Ukrainian economy are considered. It has been established that due to the introduction of “smart” networks by 2020 in EU countries, it is planned to increase the efficiency of energy resources consumption by 20% due to the reduction of specific energy consumption per unit of GDP, and for the same amount it is planned to reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere. In addition, it is expected that during this period, the volume of electricity supply, thanks to "intelligent" networks, will exceed one fifth of their total volume. A study of Ukraine's experience in implementing Smart Grid showed that this direction is a priority for the formation of the electric power market. Thus, the Smart Grid system allows energy companies to manage the entire energy supply network as a single system. The implementation of the Smart Grid is designed to solve current tasks with the help of an intelligent network, which allows us to increase profitability, reliability and dependability of work, reduce technical and commercial losses, improve manageability and operational efficiency of networks against the background of increasing consumption. Within the framework of the concept and methodology for the implementation of the Smart Grid system, the requirements of all interested parties should be taken into account - the state, generating, grid and energy retail companies, consumers and equipment manufacturers. This direction is highlighted by the prospect of further research.
Sosyal Haklardan Şehir Hakkına: Barış Bıçakçı Eserleri Üzerine Bir İnceleme
Authors: ŞİMŞEK A. Aslı , ÖNER Recep Volkan
Published: March 2019

Bu çalışmanın konusunun merkezinde Henri Lefebvre’in şehir hakkı kavramı yer almaktadır.
Kavramın anlaşılması için Marksizm ve sosyal haklar ilişkisi üzerinde durulmuştur. Bu inceleme, genelde
çağdaş Türk edebiyatı, özelde Barış Bıçakçı eserleri üzerinden gerçekleştirilmiştir. Dolayısıyla hak
mücadelesinin kurgusal-toplumsal bir incelemesi yapılmıştır. Çalışmanın amacı kapitalist üretim biçiminin
yabancılaştırıcı etkisi altında olan gündelik yaşamı merkeze alan Lefebvreci Marksizm’in olanaklarından
hareketle sosyal haklar bağlamında failin hak mücadelesinde şehir mekânıyla kurduğu ilişkiyi ortaya
koymaktır..
Kent Yönetiminde Değişim Algısı: Yerel Yönetişim Kapsamında Bir Değerlendirme ve Yerelleşen Yönetişim Uygulaması
Authors: DEMİR Konur Alp
Published: March 2019

Kent birlikte yaşamın ortak simgesi olan yerleşim birimidir. Kent medeniyetin ve kültürün ortaya çıktığı, ortak
savunma ihtiyacının karşılandığı ve halkın kendi kendini doğrudan yönetebildiği tarihsel bir mekân olarak zaman
içerisinde merkezi yönetim karşısında güç kaybederek günümüze kadar ulaşmıştır. Ancak hem bir yerleşim hem de bir
yönetim birimi olan kent güncel gelişmeler karşısında canlılığını kaybetmemiş ve toplumsal ihtiyaçların karşılanmasında
yerel düzeyde aktif görevler üstlenmiştir. Kent yönetimlerinin yönetişim ve yerelleşme kavramları kapsamında yeniden
modellenmeleri gerekmektedir. Bu bağlamda kentlerin yerelleşen yönetişim anlayışı kapsamında yönetilen birimler haline
dönüştürülmelerine ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Bu noktada yönetişim anlayışının bir unsurunu oluşturan sivil toplum
kuruluşları da kamu ve özel sektör ile işbirliği kapsamında kent yönetimini yerelleşen yönetişim modeline doğru geçiş için
hazırlamaya çalışmaktadırlar. Bu çalışmada literatür taraması ve kurgusal analiz yöntemi kullanılarak kent ve kent
yönetimi ile ilgili kavramsal unsurlara değinilecek ve ardından çalışmanın gerçek kurgusunun yapıldığı yönetişim, yerel
yönetişim ve yerelleşen yönetişim kavramları konu edilecektir.
A Neo-Gramscian Analysis of the Incomplete Doha Development Trade Round
Authors: BALKAN ŞAHİN Sevgi
Published: March 2019

This paper analyzes the lack of progress and the breakdown of the Doha Round talks in world trade since 2001 from a neo-Gramscian perspective. The failure to conclude multilateral trade negotiations reflect an emerging new architecture of power politics in the world political-economic order. Major economic powers, including the United States (US), the European Union (EU), Japan and Canada as well as leading transnational companies used to have a significant impact on guiding the agenda of the multilateral trade negotiations as well as defining the outcomes. However, in the context of the WTO, emerging powers such as India, Brazil, and China and several non-governmental organizations critical of neoliberal globalization began to confront the former groups’ dominance. Developing and developed countries have contending views on the agenda issues, marked by confrontation on the former’s insistence for the liberalization of agricultural markets by industrialized states and the latter’s pressure for the liberalization of non-agricultural markets. Both sides employ certain strategies and discourses to coerce or to persuade the opposing parties. Hence, the paper argues that the multilateral trade negotiations emerge as zones of exercising hegemony rather than being an area to produce common norms, values and policies for the well-being of all members in the world trade regime.
RYEGRASS PERENNIAL VARIETY VORONEZHSKIY FOR THE CONDITIONS OF CENTRAL BLACK EARTH REGION
Authors: Ivanov Iosif , Saprykin Sergey , Labinskaya Raisa , Saprykina Natal'ya , Ostrikova Marina , Chekmareva Anna
Published: March 2019

A brief review of the efficiency of cultivation of perennial ryegrass in the areas of steppe and forest-steppe zones is given. The necessity of breeding varieties of perennial ryegrass adapted for use in the conditions of the Central Black Earth region is shown. A brief characteristic of the variety of ryegrass perennial Voronezhskiy (selection of Voronezh Experimental Station for perennial grasses) is presented. The variety is included in the state register in all regions of the Russian Federation. It is characterized by high winter hardiness, drought resistance, longevity. Recommended for sowing as part of grass mixtures when creating hayfields and pastures on various soil types (except sandy), including when reclaiming de-graded land, as well as creating cultivated irrigated pastures in the steppe zone and as part of grass mix-tures when creating meadow-type lawns. The main technological parameters of cultivating the variety for seeds are included, including optimal sowing time and seeding rates, a rational system of fertilizers, the use of herbicides, harvesting, autumn cutting of grass stands, sorting features that allow maintaining tetraploid level of sorting population during reproduction.
An Electro-Thermal Actuation Method for Resonance Vibration of a Miniaturized Optical-Fiber Scanner for Future Scanning Fiber Endoscope Design
Authors: Aghajanzadeh Ahrabi Aydin , Kaur Mandeep , Li Yasong , Lane Pierre , Menon Carlo
Published: March 2019

Medical professionals increasingly rely on endoscopes to carry out many minimally invasive procedures on patients to safely examine, diagnose, and treat a large variety of conditions. However, their insertion tube diameter dictates which passages of the body they can be inserted into and, consequently, what organs they can access. For inaccessible areas and organs, patients often undergo invasive and risky procedures—diagnostic confirmation of peripheral lung nodules via transthoracic needle biopsy is one example from oncology. Hence, this work sets out to present an optical-fiber scanner for a scanning fiber endoscope design that has an insertion tube diameter of about 0.5 mm, small enough to be inserted into the smallest airways of the lung. To attain this goal, a novel approach based on resonance thermal excitation of a single-mode 0.01-mm-diameter fiber-optic cantilever oscillating at 2–4 kHz is proposed. The small size of the electro-thermal actuator enables miniaturization of the insertion tube. Lateral free-end deflection of the cantilever is used as a benchmark for evaluating performance. Experimental results show that the cantilever can achieve over 0.2 mm of displacement at its free end. The experimental results also support finite element simulation models which can be used for future design iterations of the endoscope.
Multi-Parental Advances Generation Inter-Cross Population, to Develop Organic Tomato Genotypes by Participatory Plant Breeding
Authors: Campanelli Gabriele , Sestili Sara , Acciarri Nazzareno , Montemurro Francesco , Palma Daniela , Leteo Fabrizio , Beretta Massimiliano
Published: March 2019

A Multi-parent Advanced Generation Intercross (MAGIC) tomato population was developed by crossing eight founder lines chosen to include a wide range of variability. The lines were previously genotyped by a genotyping by sequencing approach. The MAGIC population was used to develop genotypes with important agronomic traits and to perform the Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB). Among the 400 plants of generation 4 (G4) of the MAGIC population cultivated in an organic field experiment, 22 individuals were phenotypically selected and a molecular analysis was done for both presence of resistance genes and fruit shape (marker assisted selection) on G5 seedlings. Three selected plants showed both the pyramiding gene of resistance to the main diseases and the ovate gene for pear shape typology. The 400 G10 stable lines that obtained from single seed descent will represent an important genetic resource for the tomato scientific community. The MAGIC population G4 was also cultivated in three organic farms located in North, Central and South Italy to carry out the PPB. The plants showed significant phenotypic differences in development, productivity and fruit color. This variability was used to select families of tomato adapted to low input crop management, different environments, agricultural practices and market conditions.
Proteomic Analyses of Thioredoxins f and m Arabidopsis thaliana Mutants Indicate Specific Functions for These Proteins in Plants
Authors: Fernández-Trijueque Juan , Serrato Antonio-Jesús , Sahrawy Mariam
Published: March 2019

A large number of plastidial thioredoxins (TRX) are present in chloroplast and the specificity versus the redundancy of their functions is currently under discussion. Several results have highlighted the fact that each TRX has a specific target protein and thus a specific function. In this study we have found that in vitro activation of the fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase) enzyme is more efficient when f1 and f2 type thioredoxins (TRXs) are used, whilst the m3 type TRX did not have any effect. In addition, we have carried out a two-dimensional electrophoresis-gel to obtain the protein profiling analyses of the trxf1, f2, m1, m2, m3 and m4 Arabidopsis mutants. The results revealed quantitative alteration of 86 proteins and demonstrated that the lack of both the f and m type thioredoxins have diverse effects on the proteome. Interestingly, 68% of the differentially expressed proteins in trxf1 and trxf2 mutants were downregulated, whilst 75% were upregulated in trxm1, trxm2, trxm3 and trxm4 lines. The lack of TRX f1 provoked a higher number of down regulated proteins. The contrary occurred when TRX m4 was absent. Most of the differentially expressed proteins fell into the categories of metabolic processes, the Calvin–Benson cycle, photosynthesis, response to stress, hormone signalling and protein turnover. Photosynthesis, the Calvin–Benson cycle and carbon metabolism are the most affected processes. Notably, a significant set of proteins related to the answer to stress situations and hormone signalling were affected. Despite some studies being necessary to find specific target proteins, these results show signs that are suggest that the f and m type plastidial TRXs most likely have some additional specific functions.
Adamantane-Modified Graphene Oxide for Cyanate Ester Resin Composites with Improved Properties
Authors: Miao Zhicong , Shi Juntao , Liu Tianjiao , Li Peng , Su Zhiqiang , Wei Gang
Published: March 2019

The conjugation of graphene and polymers has attracted great attention for the fabrication of functional hybrid nanomaterials. Here, we demonstrate the modification of graphene oxide (GO) with adamantane (AMT) through the diimide-activated amidation reaction. The modification of GO with AMT improves the dispersion and decreases the interfacial polarization of GO, causing a lower dielectric constant for the fabricated GO/AMT hybrid materials. The structures of GO/AMT were studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, the mechanical properties, thermal stability, and dielectric constant of GO/AMT composites were measured at a low cured temperature using various techniques, such as differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. It was found that the synthesized GO/AMT materials with different contents were blended into cyanate ester (CE) resins, resulting in a lower cure temperature, smaller dielectric constant, higher thermal stability, and stronger water resistance. It is expected that this novel GO/AMT-CE material will have potential applications for replacing traditional thermosetting resins.
The Importance of Topological Defects in Photoexcited Phase Transitions Including Memory Applications
Authors: Mihailovic Dragan
Published: March 2019

Photoinduced phase transitions have become a very important field of study with the advent of diverse time-resolved experimental techniques whose time resolution matches the electron, lattice, and spin relaxation dynamics associated with elementary excitations in quantum materials. Most techniques currently available rely on stroboscopic data-averaging over multiple transition outcomes. However, each time a transition takes place, fluctuations close to the time of the transition ensure that the phase transition outcome is different, with the emergence of different topological defect textures. In this paper, we briefly review the non-perturbative processes in selected charge-ordered quantum systems and the methods for their observation with different time-resolved techniques and scanning tunneling microscopy, which avoids the problem of averaging. The topological defect dynamics are seen to play an essential role in stabilizing emergent states in non-equilibrium transitions, appearing on different timescales as well as determining the emergent properties of the system. The phenomena are fundamentally important for understanding the fabric of matter in the Universe, as well as for possible applications in non-volatile memory devices.
PV Tracking Design Methodology Based on an Orientation Efficiency Chart
Authors: Ruelas José , Muñoz Flavio , Lucero Baldomero , Palomares Juan
Published: March 2019

This work describes a new photovoltaic (PV) sun tracker design methodology that utilizes the advantages that the orientation and efficiency of the PV panel offer due to the latitude of the installation zone. Furthermore, the proposed design methodology is validated experimentally via the implementation of a solar tracker with dual axes at a specific location (27.5° latitude). In this case, the methodology enables the incorporation of a high-availability, low-accuracy, and low-cost tracking mechanism. Based on the results, the feasibility of this type of solar tracker for latitudes close to 30° is demonstrated, as this tracking system costs 27% less than the traditional commercial systems that use slew drives. This system increases the collection efficiency by 24% with respect to a fixed device. The proposed methodology, which is based on an orientation efficiency chart, can be applied to the construction or control of other types of solar tracker systems.
Feature Adaptive and Cyclic Dynamic Learning Based on Infinite Term Memory Extreme Learning Machine
Authors: AL-Khaleefa Ahmed Salih , Ahmad Mohd Riduan , Isa Azmi Awang Md , Esa Mona Riza Mohd , AL-Saffar Ahmed , Hassan Mustafa Hamid
Published: March 2019

Online learning is the capability of a machine-learning model to update knowledge without retraining the system when new, labeled data becomes available. Good online learning performance can be achieved through the ability to handle changing features and preserve existing knowledge for future use. This can occur in different real world applications such as Wi-Fi localization and intrusion detection. In this study, we generated a cyclic dynamic generator (CDG), which we used to convert an existing dataset into a time series dataset with cyclic and changing features. Furthermore, we developed the infinite-term memory online sequential extreme learning machine (ITM-OSELM) on the basis of the feature-adaptive online sequential extreme learning machine (FA-OSELM) transfer learning, which incorporates an external memory to preserve old knowledge. This model was compared to the FA-OSELM and online sequential extreme learning machine (OSELM) on the basis of data generated from the CDG using three datasets: UJIndoorLoc, TampereU, and KDD 99. Results corroborate that the ITM-OSELM is superior to the FA-OSELM and OSELM using a statistical t-test. In addition, the accuracy of ITM-OSELM was 91.69% while the accuracy of FA-OSELM and OSELM was 24.39% and 19.56%, respectively.
Analysis of Early Performance of Cement Paste by Low Field NMR
Authors: Jin Dan , Lang Zejun , Yao Wu
Published: March 2019

The change of the evaporable water content in the early hydration process of cement paste with different water-to-cement ratios was monitored by low field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) relaxometry. The hydration degree and gel/space ratio were accordingly calculated and analyzed. The test results show that the first derivative curves of the transverse magnetization are in good agreement with the known five stages of cement hydration process at an early age. The initial and final setting times of the cement paste are closely related to the times the gel/space ratio reaches a fixed value. The early compressive strength of the hardened cement paste exhibits a power function relationship with the gel/space ratio.
Texture Construction Edge Detection Algorithm
Authors: Chen Shou-Cih , Chiu Chung-Cheng
Published: March 2019

The edge detection algorithm is the cornerstone of image processing; a good edge detection result can further extract the required information through rich texture information and achieve object detection, segmentation, and identification. To obtain a rich texture edge detection technology, this paper proposes using edge texture change for edge construction and constructs the edge contour through constructing an edge texture extension between the blocks to reduce the missing edge problem caused by the threshold setting. Finally, through verification of the experimental results, the proposed method can effectively overcome the problem caused by unsuitable threshold setting and detect rich object edge information compared to the adaptive edge detection method.
On the Optimal Size of Candidate Feature Set in Random forest
Authors: Han Sunwoo , Kim Hyunjoong
Published: March 2019

Random forest is an ensemble method that combines many decision trees. Each level of trees is determined by an optimal rule among a candidate feature set. The candidate feature set is a random subset of all features, and is different at each level of trees. In this article, we investigated whether the accuracy of Random forest is affected by the size of the candidate feature set. We found that the optimal size differs from data to data without any specific pattern. To estimate the optimal size of feature set, we proposed a novel algorithm which uses the out-of-bag error and the ‘SearchSize’ exploration. The proposed method is significantly faster than the standard grid search method while giving almost the same accuracy. Finally, we demonstrated that the accuracy of Random forest using the proposed algorithm has increased significantly compared to using a typical size of feature set.
Behavior of Fiber-Reinforced and Lime-Stabilized Clayey Soil in Triaxial Tests
Authors: Wang Yixian , Guo Panpan , Li Xian , Lin Hang , Liu Yan , Yuan Haiping
Published: March 2019

The beneficial role of combining fiber reinforcement with lime stabilization in altering soil behavior has been established in the literature. However, the coupling effect of their combination still remains unclear in terms of its magnitude and microscopic mechanism, especially for natural fibers with special microstructures. The objective of this study was to investigate the coupling effect of wheat straw fiber reinforcement and lime stabilization on the mechanical behavior of Hefei clayey soil. To achieve this, an experimental program including unconsolidated–undrained (UU) triaxial tests and SEM analysis was implemented. Static compaction test samples were prepared on untreated soil, fiber-reinforced soil, lime-stabilized soil, and lime-stabilized/fiber-reinforced soil at optimum moisture content with determining of the maximum dry density of the untreated soil. The lime was added in three different contents of 2%, 4%, and 6%, and 13 mm long wheat straw fiber slices with a cross section one-quarter that of the intact ones were mixed in at 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.6% by dry weight of soil. Analysis of the derived results indicated that the addition of a small amount of wheat straw fibers into lime-stabilized soil improved the intensity of the strain-softening behavior associated with mere lime stabilization. The observed evidence that the shear strength increase brought by a combination of 0.4% fiber reinforcement and 4% lime stabilization was smaller than the summation of the shear strength increases brought by their presence alone in a sample demonstrated a coupling effect between fiber reinforcement and lime stabilization. This coupling effect was also detected in the comparisons of the secant modulus and failure pattern between the combined treatment and the individual treatments. These manifestations of the coupling effect were explained by a microscopic mechanism wherein the fiber reinforcing effect was made more effective by the ways in which lime chemically stabilized the soil and lime stabilization development was quickened by the water channels passing through the surfaces and honeycomb pores of the wheat straw fibers.
Transmission Characteristics of Adaptive Compensation for Joint Atmospheric Turbulence Effects on the OAM-Based Wireless Communication System
Authors: Yang Jingxuan , Zhang Hu , Zhang Xiaoguang , Li Hui , Xi Lixia
Published: March 2019

Atmospheric turbulence has an impact on the transmission of electromagnetic vortex waves with an orbital angular momentum (OAM) mode. In this paper, based on the joint atmospheric turbulence model, we examine the influence of atmospheric turbulence on the transmission of electromagnetic vortex waves. First, a mathematical model is established to formulate the transmission characteristics of electromagnetic vortex waves under joint atmospheric turbulence. Subsequently, in order to mitigate the influence of the atmospheric turbulence on the electromagnetic vortex waves, an adaptive compensation on phase is proposed. Finally, we analyzed the transmission performance of an OAM-mode multiplexing system using an adaptive compensation method through the wireless communication channel. By means of numerical simulation, the effect of atmospheric turbulence on the transmission characteristics and mode crosstalk of OAM is analyzed. The simulation results show that electromagnetic vortex waves could perform well on the wireless communication system with a low mode crosstalk, which provides the theoretical support to optimizing the mode division multiplexing technology in a free space communication system.
Passive Thermal Management of Tablet PCs Using Phase Change Materials: Intermittent Operation
Authors: Ahmed Tousif , Bhouri Maha , Groulx Dominic , White Mary Anne
Published: March 2019

This paper presents an experimental study of thermal management in a tablet PC under intermittent operation, with phase change materials (PCMs) encapsulated in a very thin aluminized laminate film container. It complements a study of the same system under continuous operation that was published in 2018. Two different types of PCMs were used for the experimental work; PT-37 and n-eicosane. A commercially available tablet PC was used as a test subject to ensure representative dimensions and material properties of every intricate part of the real tablet PC. For intermittent operation, the cycle used corresponds to fifteen minutes of operation (heat generation) followed by fifteen minutes of rest, to imitate a regular usage pattern of a tablet PC. It was observed that thin PCM thermal energy storage (TES) units are capable of providing a reduction in the rate of temperature increase during transient operations for both the electronics and the tablet cover. Reduction in peak temperature of the heat source and external surfaces of the tablet PC was also observed. At the maximum of 8 W operating power, PCMs were able to reduce the back-cover temperature by 20 °C. At all power inputs, heat storage in PCMs resulted in back-cover temperatures lower than 40 °C. Moreover, it was found that the PCM thermal management system tested was not affected by the inclination of the tablet PC. Results obtained from this study confirm that thin PCM encapsulation is indeed a suitable solution to control the temperature in tablet PCs during intermittent operation.
Graphic Swim: 2D and 3D Printing in Glass Casting
Authors: Sarmiento Jeffrey
Published: March 2019

This document is a report on developing processes to encourage flow of the graphic image in kilnformed glass. It is also a description and reflection on a body of artworks in glass in which new visual qualities were exposed through a mishap and turned into an aesthetic choice. The research links 2D print approaches to 3D printing and their integration in cast glass. It updates the author’s practice-based PhD research, a study that utilizes glass printing, cutting and fusing processes to combine the printed image within the glass object. The outcomes of the study can be organized under two approaches that have been developed, one appropriate to practical workshop teaching, and the other for the conceptualization and fabrication of new personal artworks.
Imitate: Remediating Glass as an Artistic Medium for Material Imitation
Authors: Kelly Jessamy
Published: March 2019

Glass has a unique ability to imitate other materials; cross-pollinating with other disciplines to refresh and recreate itself. The creative possibilities of creating glass that imitates other materials such as ceramic, paper, metal, wood, stone, plastic and semi-precious stones are vast. The assertion of this paper is that the use of imitation is a necessary and definitive act within creative artistic practice. Following a range of historical examples to set the context for this article, a range of contemporary glass artists that use glass as a medium for imitation will be introduced and documented through a series of artists case studies. Finally, I will present my current practice-based research into glass as a medium for imitation. I will discuss the material testing and research that has been carried out and introduce two new bodies of artworks that I have developed based on the theme of glass as an artistic medium for material imitation.
Impact of the Eurasian Teleconnection on the Interannual Variability of Haze-Fog in Northern China in January
Authors: Li Ye , Sheng Lifang , Li Chun , Wang Yuhang
Published: March 2019

Using meteorological observation data and NCEP/NCAR (National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research) reanalysis data, the impacts of the atmospheric circulation pattern on the interannual variability of haze-fog in northern China in January are studied by means of statistical methods. The results showed that the Eurasian teleconnection (EU) at the 500 hPa isostatic surface is the most important pattern affecting the haze-fog frequency in northern China. However, the existing EU index cannot perfectly describe this pattern. To this end, this study selects three main activity centers to define a new EU index, which are located in the Europe (10 °E, 55 °N), Siberia (80 °E, 60 °N), and Shandong, China (120 °E, 40 °N). The difference between the existing EU index and the new EU index is mainly the position of the anomaly center of the 500 hPa geopotential height. The EU is in a negative phase in higher haze-fog years but is in a positive phase in lower haze-fog years. The 500 hPa geopotential height shows negative anomalies in Europe and East Asian and a positive anomaly in Siberia in the negative EU phase. Using Plumb wave activity flux analysis, it was found that the cold wave affecting northern China is less in the negative EU phase than that in the positive EU phase, which resulted in more haze-fog days. In addition, the results also showed that the EU pattern goes through a considerable development and decay within 13 days. The visibility starts to significantly decrease at a lag of −1 to 2 days in the negative EU peak phase and is influenced by the weak north wind that is caused by the high pressure.
Distortion of the Ionization Cross Section of He by the Coherence Properties of a C6+ Beam
Authors: Navarrete Francisco , Barrachina Raúl , Ciappina Marcelo F.
Published: March 2019

We analyze the influence of the coherence of the projectile’s beam in scattering phenomena. We focus our study in the ionization of He by C 6 + projectiles at 100 MeV/amu. We assess the influence of this effect by performing a Born initial state and continuum distorted wave final state (CDW-B1) calculation together with a rigorous procedure to account for the initial coherence properties of the projectile’s beam. These calculations, which had been previously performed for only the scattering and perpendicular collision planes and within the First Born approximation (FBA), were repeated for an ampler set of collision planes. Additionally, a more refined method to describe the applicability of the aforementioned procedure, is used. We achieve a better qualitative agreement with the experimental results.
Sorghum Coffee–Lactose Stout Production and Its Physico-Chemical Characterization
Authors: Mbeh. Harry Fali , Zangué Steve Carly Desobgo , Emmanuel Jong Nso
Published: March 2019

Sorghum (Safrari) was valorized into sorghum coffee-lactose stouts using Vernonia amygdalina as a bittering ingredient. These sorghum grains and subsequent sorghum pale malt were tested for their acceptability in the brewing field. Results obtained were the germinative capacity of 99.29 ± 0.58%, a germinative energy of 98.56 ± 1.79%, a thousand corns weight 48.08 ± 0.02 g for the grains, and a diastatic power of 187.44 ± 7.89 WK for sorghum malt. The worts and beers produced were characterized and were found suitable. Moreover, alcohol content in stout beers obtained was between 8.8% and 9.4% ABV. Sensory evaluation was implemented on beers using 30 panellists and the best combination was the one using 50% lactose (250 g) and 50% coffee (250 g) in 5 L of wort during wort boiling.
Coconut Neera—A Vital Health Beverage from Coconut Palms: Harvesting, Processing and Quality Analysis
Authors: Chinnamma Mohankumar , Bhasker Salini , Binitha Hari Malavika , Sreekumar Divyaa , Madhav Harish
Published: March 2019

Nature has made nutritive products in such a way that it cannot be manufactured in laboratories or in mills. Coconut Neera is the natural sap of the mature coconut palms rich with all essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins for human health. Harvesting of Neera from the spadix of the palms without disturbing the physiology of the tree has a lot of potential at the industrial scale. However, the development of alcohol in the extracted sap during tapping by auto-fermentation has given a misnomer for Neera as “sweet toddy”. Hence, the commercial popularity of Neera as a health drink has diminished at a global level. Though several traditional techniques like the usage of calcium hydroxide (lime) and the application of the chiller device during harvesting Neera from spadix have been practiced for collecting non-fermented Neera, none of the techniques were found acceptable at the commercial level. The results of the present study demonstrate the harvesting and processing procedure standardized for the collection and storage of non-fermented Neera from palms by repeated field trials. The cumulative effect of the anti-fermentation solution (AFS) with the presence of the two preservatives—citric acid (5 mM) and potassium metabisulphite (2 mM)—by preventing fermentation from the level of harvesting to processing was confirmed. The zero content of alcohol in raw Neera indicates the AFS action. The proximate composition of primary constituents and the content of minerals, amino acids and vitamins present in Neera highlights its nutrient value as a health beverage. The higher content of minerals—sodium and potassium (15.2 mg and 100 mg), the elevated level of amino acids-cysteine (14 mg), tyrosine (7.11 mg), arginine (7 mg) and the presence of vitamin C (65 mg) and vitamin A as retinol (4.88 IU)—indicates the therapeutic importance of coconut Neera. The data of oral toxicity and the glycemic index further support the vital quality.
Histone 4 Lysine 20 Methylation: A Case for Neurodevelopmental Disease
Authors: Wickramasekara Rochelle N. , Stessman Holly A. F.
Published: March 2019

Neurogenesis is an elegantly coordinated developmental process that must maintain a careful balance of proliferation and differentiation programs to be compatible with life. Due to the fine-tuning required for these processes, epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., DNA methylation and histone modifications) are employed, in addition to changes in mRNA transcription, to regulate gene expression. The purpose of this review is to highlight what we currently know about histone 4 lysine 20 (H4K20) methylation and its role in the developing brain. Utilizing publicly-available RNA-Sequencing data and published literature, we highlight the versatility of H4K20 methyl modifications in mediating diverse cellular events from gene silencing/chromatin compaction to DNA double-stranded break repair. From large-scale human DNA sequencing studies, we further propose that the lysine methyltransferase gene, KMT5B (OMIM: 610881), may fit into a category of epigenetic modifier genes that are critical for typical neurodevelopment, such as EHMT1 and ARID1B, which are associated with Kleefstra syndrome (OMIM: 610253) and Coffin-Siris syndrome (OMIM: 135900), respectively. Based on our current knowledge of the H4K20 methyl modification, we discuss emerging themes and interesting questions on how this histone modification, and particularly KMT5B expression, might impact neurodevelopment along with current challenges and potential avenues for future research.
Neuromechanical Model of Rat Hindlimb Walking with Two-Layer CPGs
Authors: Deng Kaiyu , Szczecinski Nicholas S. , Arnold Dirk , Andrada Emanuel , Fischer Martin S. , Quinn Roger D. , Hunt Alexander J.
Published: March 2019

This work demonstrates a neuromechanical model of rat hindlimb locomotion undergoing nominal walking with perturbations. In the animal, two types of responses to perturbations are observed: resetting and non-resetting deletions. This suggests that the animal locomotor system contains a memory-like organization. To model this phenomenon, we built a synthetic nervous system that uses separate rhythm generator and pattern formation layers to activate antagonistic muscle pairs about each joint in the sagittal plane. Our model replicates the resetting and non-resetting deletions observed in the animal. In addition, in the intact (i.e., fully afferented) rat walking simulation, we observe slower recovery after perturbation, which is different from the deafferented animal experiment. These results demonstrate that our model is a biologically feasible description of some of the neural circuits in the mammalian spinal cord that control locomotion, and the difference between our simulation and fictive motion shows the importance of sensory feedback on motor output. This model also demonstrates how the pattern formation network can activate muscle synergies in a coordinated way to produce stable walking, which motivates the use of more complex synergies activating more muscles in the legs for three-dimensional limb motion.
Solid-State rGO-PEDOT:PSS Transducing Material for Cost-Effective Enzymatic Sensing
Authors: Abd-Wahab Firdaus , Abdul Guthoos Habibah Farhana , Wan Salim Wan Wardatul Amani
Published: March 2019

Performance of a sensing device is dependent on its construction material, especially for components that are directly involved in transporting and translating signals across the device. Understanding the morphology and characteristics of the material components is therefore crucial in the development of any sensing device. This work examines the morphological and electrochemical characteristics of reduced graphene oxide interspersed with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (rGO-PEDOT:PSS) used as a transducer material deposited on a commercially available screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). Electron microscopy shows that PEDOT:PSS is interspersed between rGO layers. Raman and XRD analyses suggest that the graphene crystallinity in GO-PEDOT:PSS and rGO-PEDOT:PSS remains intact. Instead, PEDOT:PSS undergoes a change in structure to allow PEDOT to blend into the graphene structure and partake in the π-π interaction with the surface of the rGO layers. Incorporation of PEDOT:PSS also appears to improve the electrochemical behavior of the composite, leading to a higher peak current of 1.184 mA, as measured by cyclic voltammetry, compared to 0.522 mA when rGO is used alone. The rGO-PEDOT:PSS transducing material blended with glucose oxidase was tested for glucose detection. The sensitivity of glucose detection was shown to be 57.3 µA/(mM·cm2) with a detection limit of 86.8 µM.
Waveguiding and SERS Simplified Raman Spectroscopy on Biological Samples
Authors: Valpapuram Immanuel , Candeloro Patrizio , Coluccio Maria Laura , Parrotta Elvira Immacolata , Giugni Andrea , Das Gobind , Cuda Gianni , Di Fabrizio Enzo , Perozziello Gerardo
Published: March 2019

Biomarkers detection at an ultra-low concentration in biofluids (blood, serum, saliva, etc.) is a key point for the early diagnosis success and the development of personalized therapies. However, it remains a challenge due to limiting factors like (i) the complexity of analyzed media, and (ii) the aspecificity detection and the poor sensitivity of the conventional methods. In addition, several applications require the integration of the primary sensors with other devices (microfluidic devices, capillaries, flasks, vials, etc.) where transducing the signal might be difficult, reducing performances and applicability. In the present work, we demonstrate a new class of optical biosensor we have developed integrating an optical waveguide (OWG) with specific plasmonic surfaces. Exploiting the plasmonic resonance, the devices give consistent results in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for continuous and label-free detection of biological compounds. The OWG allows driving optical signals in the proximity of SERS surfaces (detection area) overcoming spatial constraints, in order to reach places previously optically inaccessible. A rutile prism couples the remote laser source to the OWG, while a Raman spectrometer collects the SERS far field scattering. The present biosensors were implemented by a simple fabrication process, which includes photolithography and nanofabrication. By using such devices, it was possible to detect cell metabolites like Phenylalanine (Phe), Adenosine 5-triphosphate sodium hydrate (ATP), Sodium Lactate, Human Interleukin 6 (IL6), and relate them to possible metabolic pathway variation.
Electrode Location in a Microelectrode Recording-Based Model of the Subthalamic Nucleus Can Predict Motor Improvement After Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Verhagen Rens , Bour Lo J. , Odekerken Vincent J. J. , van den Munckhof Pepijn , Schuurman P. Richard , de Bie Rob M. A.
Published: March 2019

Motor improvement after deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) may vary substantially between Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. Research into the relation between improvement and active contact location requires a correction for anatomical variation. We studied the relation between active contact location relative to the neurophysiological STN, estimated by the intraoperative microelectrode recordings (MER-based STN), and contralateral motor improvement after one year. A generic STN shape was transformed to fit onto the stereotactically defined MER sites. The location of 43 electrodes (26 patients), derived from MRI-fused CT images, was expressed relative to this patient-specific MER-based STN. Using regression analyses, the relation between contact location and motor improvement was studied. The regression model that predicts motor improvement based on levodopa effect alone was significantly improved by adding the one-year active contact coordinates (R2 change = 0.176, p = 0.014). In the combined prediction model (adjusted R2 = 0.389, p < 0.001), the largest contribution was made by the mediolateral location of the active contact (standardized beta = 0.490, p = 0.002). With the MER-based STN as a reference, we were able to find a significant relation between active contact location and motor improvement. MER-based STN modeling can be used to complement imaging-based STN models in the application of DBS.
Preconceptual Spectral and Temporal Cues as a Source of Meaning in Speech and Music
Authors: Reybrouck Mark , Podlipniak Piotr
Published: March 2019

This paper explores the importance of preconceptual meaning in speech and music, stressing the role of affective vocalizations as a common ancestral instrument in communicative interactions. Speech and music are sensory rich stimuli, both at the level of production and perception, which involve different body channels, mainly the face and the voice. However, this bimodal approach has been challenged as being too restrictive. A broader conception argues for an action-oriented embodied approach that stresses the reciprocity between multisensory processing and articulatory-motor routines. There is, however, a distinction between language and music, with the latter being largely unable to function referentially. Contrary to the centrifugal tendency of language to direct the attention of the receiver away from the text or speech proper, music is centripetal in directing the listener’s attention to the auditory material itself. Sound, therefore, can be considered as the meeting point between speech and music and the question can be raised as to the shared components between the interpretation of sound in the domain of speech and music. In order to answer these questions, this paper elaborates on the following topics: (i) The relationship between speech and music with a special focus on early vocalizations in humans and non-human primates; (ii) the transition from sound to meaning in speech and music; (iii) the role of emotion and affect in early sound processing; (iv) vocalizations and nonverbal affect burst in communicative sound comprehension; and (v) the acoustic features of affective sound with a special emphasis on temporal and spectrographic cues as parts of speech prosody and musical expressiveness.
Effect of Hand and Foot Massage Therapy on Psychological Factors and EEG Activity in Elderly People Requiring Long-Term Care: A Randomized Cross-Over Study
Authors: Nakano Hideki , Kodama Takayuki , Ueda Tomohiro , Mori Ikuko , Tani Tomiko , Murata Shin
Published: March 2019

Massage therapy is widely used as a complementary therapy in the elderly. Here, we investigate the effect of hand and foot massage therapy on psychological factors and electroencephalographic (EEG) activity in elderly people requiring long-term care. We included 12 elderly people requiring long-term care, who were randomly divided into two groups (A and B). Group A received hand massage and group B received foot massage, both for 15 min each. After 1 week, group A received foot massage and group B received hand massage, both for 15 min each. We assessed emotions and mood states with a Likert scale after each massage and resting-state EEG activity was measured before and after each massage. Our results showed that both hand and foot massage led to a high degree of pleasant, relaxed, and refreshed feelings. Moreover, resting-state alpha activity significantly increased in the left insular cortex after hand massage (p < 0.05), and in the right and left posterior cingulate cortex after foot massage (p < 0.05). This study suggests that hand and foot massage therapy modulate psychological factors and EEG activity in elderly people requiring long-term care.