bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feature Edge Extraction Via Angle-Based Edge Collapsing and Recovery
Authors: Yamakawa Soji , Shimada Kenji
Published: July 2017

This paper presents a new method for extracting feature edges from computer-aided design (CAD)-generated triangulations. The major advantage of this method is that it tends to extract feature edges along the centroids of the fillets rather than along the edges where fillets are connected to nonfillet surfaces. Typical industrial models include very small-radius fillets between relatively large surfaces. While some of those fillets are necessary for certain types of analyses, many of them are irrelevant for many other types of applications. Narrow fillets are unnecessary details for those applications and cause numerous problems in the downstream processes. One solution to the small-radius fillet problem is to divide the fillets along the centroid and then merge each fragment of the fillet with nonfillet surfaces. The proposed method can find such fillet centroids and can substantially reduce the adverse effects of such small-radius fillets. The method takes a triangulated geometry as input and first simplifies the model so that small-radius, or “small,” fillets are collapsed into line segments. The simplification is based on the normal errors and therefore is scale-independent. It is particularly effective for a shape that is a mix of small and large features. Then, the method creates segmentation in the simplified geometry, which is then transformed back to the original shape while maintaining the segmentation information. The groups of triangles are expanded by applying a region-growing technique to cover all triangles. The feature edges are finally extracted along the boundaries between the groups of triangles.
A cosmic controversy
Authors: You Jia , Bickel Chris , Sokol Joshua
Published: July 2017

Two methods come to different conclusions about the Hubble constant.
Design of a synthetic yeast genome
Authors: Richardson Sarah M. , Mitchell Leslie A. , Stracquadanio Giovanni , Yang Kun , Dymond Jessica S. , DiCarlo James E. , Lee Dongwon , Huang Cheng Lai Victor , Chandrasegaran Srinivasan , Cai Yizhi , Boeke Jef D. , Bader Joel S.
Published: July 2017

We describe complete design of a synthetic eukaryotic genome, Sc2.0, a highly modified
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
genome reduced in size by nearly 8%, with 1.1 megabases of the synthetic genome deleted, inserted, or altered. Sc2.0 chromosome design was implemented with BioStudio, an open-source framework developed for eukaryotic genome design, which coordinates design modifications from nucleotide to genome scales and enforces version control to systematically track edits. To achieve complete Sc2.0 genome synthesis, individual synthetic chromosomes built by Sc2.0 Consortium teams around the world will be consolidated into a single strain by “endoreduplication intercross.” Chemically synthesized genomes like Sc2.0 are fully customizable and allow experimentalists to ask otherwise intractable questions about chromosome structure, function, and evolution with a bottom-up design strategy.
Yeast genome, by design
Authors: Kannan Krishna , Gibson Daniel G.
Published: July 2017

Scientists are inching closer to generating a synthetic eukaryotic cell
Implications of Antimicrobial Combinations in Complex Wound Biofilms Containing Fungi
Authors: Townsend Eleanor M. , Sherry Leighann , Kean Ryan , Hansom Donald , Mackay William G. , Williams Craig , Butcher John , Ramage Gordon
Published: July 2017

Diabetic foot ulcer treatment currently focuses on targeting bacterial biofilms, while dismissing fungi. To investigate this, we used an
in vitro
biofilm model containing bacteria and fungi, reflective of the wound environment, to test the impact of antimicrobials. Here we showed that while monotreatment approaches influenced biofilm composition, this had no discernible effect on overall quantity. Only by combining bacterium- and fungus-specific antibiotics were we able to decrease the biofilm bioburden, irrespective of composition.
Outer Membrane Permeability of Cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. Strain PCC 6803: Studies of Passive Diffusion of Small Organic Nutrients Reveal the Absence of Classical Porins and Intrinsically Low Permeability
Authors: Kowata Hikaru , Tochigi Saeko , Takahashi Hideyuki , Kojima Seiji
Published: July 2017

The outer membrane of heterotrophic Gram-negative bacteria plays the role of a selective permeability barrier that prevents the influx of toxic compounds while allowing the nonspecific passage of small hydrophilic nutrients through porin channels. Compared with heterotrophic Gram-negative bacteria, the outer membrane properties of cyanobacteria, which are Gram-negative photoautotrophs, are not clearly understood. In this study, using small carbohydrates, amino acids, and inorganic ions as permeation probes, we determined the outer membrane permeability of
Synechocystis
sp. strain PCC 6803 in intact cells and in proteoliposomes reconstituted with outer membrane proteins. The permeability of this cyanobacterium was >20-fold lower than that of
Escherichia coli
. The predominant outer membrane proteins Slr1841, Slr1908, and Slr0042 were not permeable to organic nutrients and allowed only the passage of inorganic ions. Only the less abundant outer membrane protein Slr1270, a homolog of the
E. coli
export channel TolC, was permeable to organic solutes. The activity of Slr1270 as a channel was verified in a recombinant Slr1270-producing
E. coli
outer membrane. The lack of putative porins and the low outer membrane permeability appear to suit the cyanobacterial autotrophic lifestyle; the highly impermeable outer membrane would be advantageous to cellular survival by protecting the cell from toxic compounds, especially when the cellular physiology is not dependent on the uptake of organic nutrients.

IMPORTANCE
Because the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria affects the flux rates for various substances into and out of the cell, its permeability is closely associated with cellular physiology. The outer membrane properties of cyanobacteria, which are photoautotrophic Gram-negative bacteria, are not clearly understood. Here, we examined the outer membrane of
Synechocystis
sp. strain PCC 6803. We revealed that it is relatively permeable to inorganic ions but is markedly less permeable to organic nutrients, with >20-fold lower permeability than the outer membrane of
Escherichia coli
. Such permeability appears to fit the cyanobacterial lifestyle, in which the diffusion pathway for inorganic solutes may suffice to sustain the autotrophic physiology, illustrating a link between outer membrane permeability and the cellular lifestyle.
A simple particle-size distribution model for granular materials
Authors: Tong Chen-Xi , Burton Glen J. , Zhang Sheng , Sheng Daichao
Published: July 2017

Particle-size distribution (PSD) is a fundamental soil property that plays an important role in soil classification and soil hydromechanical behaviour. A continuous mathematical model representing the PSD curve facilitates the quantification of particle breakage, which often takes place when granular soils are compressed or sheared. This paper proposes a simple and continuous PSD model for granular soils involving particle breakage. The model has two parameters and is able to represent different types of continuous PSD curves. It is found that one model parameter is closely related to the coefficient of nonuniformity (Cu) and the coefficient of curvature (Cc), while the other represents a characteristic particle diameter. A database of 53 granular soils with 154 varying PSD curves is analyzed to evaluate the performance of the proposed PSD model, as well as that of three other PSD models in the literature. The results show that the proposed model has improved overall performance and captures the typical trends in PSD evolution during particle breakage. In addition, the proposed model is also used for assessing the internal stability of 27 widely graded soils.
Invariant formula of the determinant of a Heisenberg representation
Authors: Biswas Sazzad Ali
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we give an explicit formula of the determinant of a Heisenberg representation [Formula: see text] of a finite group [Formula: see text]. Heisenberg representations are induced by 1-dimensional characters in multiple ways, but our formula will be independent of any particular choice of induction.
A Study on the Analysis Model of the Ranking of the Theme of Weibo
Authors: Zhang Rui , Jin Zhigang , Liu Xiaohui
Published: July 2017

Sina Weibo, the most popular Chinese social platform with hundreds and millions of user-contributed images and texts, is growing rapidly. However, the noise between the image and text, as well as their incomplete correspondence, makes accurate image retrieval and ranking difficult. In this paper, we propose a deep learning framework using visual features, text content and popularity of Weibo to calculate the similarity between the image and the text based on training the model to maximize the likelihood of the target description sentence given the training image. In addition, the retrieval results are reranked using the popularity of the image. The comparison experiment of the large-scale Sina Weibo dataset proves the validity of the proposed method.
Automatic Measurement of Traffic State Parameters Based on Computer Vision for Intelligent Transportation Surveillance
Authors: Ren Jianqiang , Zhang Chunhong , Zhang Lingjuan , Wang Ning , Feng Yue
Published: July 2017

Online automatic measurement of traffic state parameters has important significance for intelligent transportation surveillance. The video-based monitoring technology is widely studied today but the existing methods are not satisfactory at processing speed or accuracy, especially for traffic scenes with traffic congestion or complex road environments. Based on technologies of computer vision and pattern recognition, this paper proposes a novel measurement method that can detect multiple parameters of traffic flow and identify vehicle types from video sequence rapidly and accurately by combining feature points detection with foreground temporal-spatial image (FTSI) analysis. In this method, two virtual detection lines (VDLs) are first set in frame images. During working, vehicular feature points are extracted via the upstream-VDL and grouped in unit of vehicle based on their movement differences. Then, FTSI is accumulated from video frames via the downstream-VDL, and adhesive blobs of occlusion vehicles in FTSI are separated effectively based on feature point groups and projection histogram of blob pixels. At regular intervals, traffic parameters are calculated via statistical analysis of blobs and vehicles are classified via a K-nearest neighbor (KNN) classifier based on geometrical characteristics of their blobs. For vehicle classification, the distorted blobs of temporary stopped vehicles are corrected accurately based on the vehicular instantaneous speed on the downstream-VDL. Experiments show that the proposed method is efficient and practicable.
Dehn surgery on ribbon knots
Authors: Arslan Aykut
Published: July 2017

In this paper, we show that if 0-surgery along a ribbon knot [Formula: see text] and 0-surgery along another knot [Formula: see text] give diffeomorphic 3-manifolds then [Formula: see text] has to be a slice knot. Moreover, they have diffeomorphic slice disk exteriors [Formula: see text] for some ribbon disk [Formula: see text] and slice disk [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are tubular neighborhoods of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively.
Phase Purity Analysis and Optical Studies of Bi2O3 Nanoparticles Suitable for Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Malligavathy M. , Pathinettam Padiyan D.
Published: July 2017

Bismuth oxide was prepared using hydrothermal route and the effect of pH on the phase of Bi2O3 reported. Phase pure [Formula: see text]-Bi2O3 was prepared at the pH of 13 and its phase purity was confirmed from the X-ray diffraction pattern. At the pH of 10, 11 and 12 the hydrothermal synthesis yields Bi(OH)3, ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]-Bi2O3) & Bi2O4 and mixture of [Formula: see text]-Bi2O3 & Bi2O4, respectively. The optical band gaps were calculated from reflectance spectra using the Kubelka–Munk relation and the values decrease from 3.050(3) to 2.686(3) eV with the increase in pH value. Photoluminescence intensity decrease with the increase of pH value indicated the increase in the charge separation efficiency. In the application point of view, the photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated for methyl orange and among the four samples, [Formula: see text]-Bi2O3 degraded 67% within 4[Formula: see text]h. The degradation of dye was analyzed using pseudo first-order kinetics and the rate constant value was 0.0045(3) min[Formula: see text] with the correlation coefficient of 0.983.
Investigation of Some Metals in Leaves and Leaf Extracts of Lippia javanica: Its Daily Intake
Authors: Artwell Kanda , France Ncube , Florence Kunsamala
Published: July 2017

Consumption of plant extracts can be a source of essential elements or a route of human exposure to toxicants. Metal concentrations in leaves, leaf brew, and infusion of L. javanica collected from five sites were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry after acid and aqueous extraction. Estimated daily intakes of metals in extracts were compared with recommended dietary allowances. Total metal concentrations in leaves varied with sampling sites (p<0.05): Mn > Fe > Cu > Cr > Pb for sites SS2–SS5. The highest metal concentrations in leaves were recorded for SS3 (Cu: 15.32±4.53 and Mn: 734.99±105.49), SS5 (Fe: 210.27±17.17), SS2 (Pb: 3.11±0.21), and SS4 (Cr: 4.40±0.75 mg/kg). Leaf infusion appeared to release higher Cu and Mn concentrations in leaves across sites (Cu: 21.65; Mn: 28.01%) than leaf brew (Cu: 11.95; Mn: 19.74%). Lead was not detected in leaf extracts. Estimated dietary intakes of Cr, Cu, Fe, and Mn were below recommended dietary allowances. A 250 ml cup of leaf infusion contributed 0.30–1.18% Cu and 4.46–13.83% Mn to the recommended dietary allowances of these elements per day. Lead did not pose any potential hazard when consumed in tea beverage made from brew and infusion of leaves of L. javanica.
Human Menstrual Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Potential Cell Carriers for Oncolytic Adenovirus
Authors: Moreno R. , Rojas L. A. , Villellas Felip Vilardell , Soriano Vanessa Cervera , García-Castro J. , Fajardo C. A. , Alemany R.
Published: July 2017

Antitumor efficacy of systemically administered oncolytic adenoviruses (OAdv) is limited due to diverse factors such as liver sequestration, neutralizing interactions in blood, elimination by the immune system, and physical barriers in tumors. It is therefore of clinical relevance to improve OAdv bioavailability and tumor delivery. Among the variety of tumor-targeting strategies, the use of stem cells and specifically bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) is of particular interest due to their tumor tropism and immunomodulatory properties. Nonetheless, the invasive methods to obtain these cells, the low number of MSCs present in the bone marrow, and their restricted in vitro expansion represent major obstacles for their use in cancer treatments, pointing out the necessity to identify an alternative source of MSCs. Here, we have evaluated the use of menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) as cell carriers for regional delivery of an OAdv in the tumor. Our results indicate that MenSCs can be isolated without invasive methods, they have an increased proliferation rate compared to BM-MSCs, and they can be efficiently infected with different serotype 5-based capsid-modified adenoviruses, leading to viral replication and release. In addition, our in vivo studies confirmed the tumor-homing properties of MenSCs after regional administration.
A Multilayer Model Predictive Control Methodology Applied to a Biomass Supply Chain Operational Level
Authors: Pinho Tatiana M. , Coelho João Paulo , Veiga Germano , Moreira A. Paulo , Boaventura-Cunha José
Published: July 2017

Forest biomass has gained increasing interest in the recent years as a renewable source of energy in the context of climate changes and continuous rising of fossil fuels prices. However, due to its characteristics such as seasonality, low density, and high cost, the biomass supply chain needs further optimization to become more competitive in the current energetic market. In this sense and taking into consideration the fact that the transportation is the process that accounts for the higher parcel in the biomass supply chain costs, this work proposes a multilayer model predictive control based strategy to improve the performance of this process at the operational level. The proposed strategy aims to improve the overall supply chain performance by forecasting the system evolution using behavioural dynamic models. In this way, it is possible to react beforehand and avoid expensive impacts in the tasks execution. The methodology is composed of two interconnected levels that closely monitor the system state update, in the operational level, and delineate a new routing and scheduling plan in case of an expected deviation from the original one. By applying this approach to an experimental case study, the concept of the proposed methodology was proven. This novel strategy enables the online scheduling of the supply chain transport operation using a predictive approach.
Plasma IL-37 Elevated in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and Predicted Major Adverse Cardiac Events: A 1-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Shou Xiling , Lin Jing , Xie Cui , Wang Yi , Sun Chaofeng
Published: July 2017

A great number of basic and clinical studies have demonstrated that inflammatory cytokines play an important role in the development and progression of chronic heart failure (CHF). However, there is limited information about the role of novel cytokine interleukin-37 (IL-37) in heart failure. We measured plasma IL-37 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 158 patients with chronic heart failure and 30 control subjects. Our results showed that plasma IL-37 levels were significantly elevated in patients with CHF compared with healthy controls (143.73 ± 26.83 pg/ml versus 45.2 ± 11.56 pg/ml,P<0.001). Furthermore, plasma IL-37 levels were positively correlated with hs-CRP, hs-TnT, and NT-proBNP and negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection function (LVEF). 11 patients died of cardiovascular cause, and 27 HF patients were rehospitalized for worsening HF within 12 months. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that plasma IL-37 is an independent predictor of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Furthermore, CHF patients with >99 pg/ml plasma IL-37 had significantly higher incidences of MACE within 12 months. Our data suggest that plasma IL-37 may play a role in the pathogenesis of CHF and may be a novel predictor of poor prognosis in HF patients.
Existence and Uniqueness of Solutions to the Wage Equation of Dixit-Stiglitz-Krugman Model with No Restriction on Transport Costs
Authors: Tabata Minoru , Eshima Nobuoki
Published: July 2017

In spatial economics, the distribution of wages is described by a solution to the wage equation of Dixit-Stiglitz-Krugman model. The wage equation is a discrete equation that has a double nonlinear singular structure in the sense that the equation contains a discrete nonlinear operator whose kernel itself is expressed by another discrete nonlinear operator with a singularity. In this article, no restrictions are imposed on the maximum of transport costs of the model and on the number of regions where economic activities are conducted. Applying Brouwer fixed point theorem to this discrete double nonlinear singular operator, we prove sufficient conditions for the wage equation to have a solution and a unique one.
Diagnostic Workup and Treatment of a Rare Apocrine Hidrocystoma Affecting the Oral Mucosa: A Clinical and Histological Case Report
Authors: Poli Pier Paolo , Creminelli Luca , Moramarco Valeria , Del Gobbo Alessandro , Ferrante Franco , Maiorana Carlo
Published: July 2017

Apocrine hidrocystomas are rare benign cystic tumors originating from the secretory portion of apocrine sweat glands. To the best of our knowledge, there is no evidence currently available reporting the presence of apocrine hidrocystomas in the oral cavity. Therefore, this case report aims to describe the clinical and histological features of an apocrine hidrocystoma affecting the oral mucosa. A 69-year-old male patient presented with a 1-year history of a solitary, well-circumscribed, submucosal mass in the left posterior buccal mucosa. The clinical examination revealed a yellowish soft, fluctuant, and painless lesion with no clinical signs of erythema or ulcerations of the overlying epithelium. The entire lesion was excised and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of apocrine hidrocystoma. No recurrence was observed after a 1-year follow-up.
Inhibiting 4EBP1 in Glioblastoma
Authors: Fan Qi Wen , Nicolaides Theodore P. , Weiss William A.
Published: July 2017

Glioblastoma is the most common and aggressive adult brain cancer. Tumors show frequent dysregulation of the PI3K–mTOR pathway. Although a number of small molecules target the PI3K–AKT–mTOR axis, their preclinical and clinical efficacy has been limited. Reasons for treatment failure include poor penetration of agents into the brain and observations that blockade of PI3K or AKT minimally affects downstream mTOR activity in glioma. Clinical trials using allosteric mTOR inhibitors (rapamycin and rapalogs) to treat patients with glioblastoma have also been unsuccessful or uncertain, in part, because rapamycin inefficiently blocks the mTORC1 target 4EBP1 and feeds back to activate PI3K–AKT signaling. Inhibitors of the mTOR kinase (TORKi) such as TAK-228/MLN0128 interact orthosterically with the ATP- and substrate-binding pocket of mTOR kinase, efficiently block 4EBP1 in vitro, and are currently being investigated in the clinical trials. Preclinical studies suggest that TORKi have poor residence times of mTOR kinase, and our data suggest that this poor pharmacology translates into disappointing efficacy in glioblastoma xenografts. RapaLink-1, a TORKi linked to rapamycin, represents a drug with improved pharmacology against 4EBP1. In this review, we clarify the importance of 4EBP1 as a biomarker for the efficacy of PI3K–AKT–mTOR inhibitors in glioblastoma. We also review mechanistic data by which RapaLink-1 blocks p-4EBP1 and discuss future clinical strategies for 4EBP1 inhibition in glioblastoma. Clin Cancer Res; 24(1); 14–21. ©2017 AACR.
TELHADOS VERDES COMO POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS AMBIENTAIS PARA O MUNICÍPIO DE VOLTA REDONDA – RJ
Authors: Setta Bruno Rocha Silva
Published: July 2017

As infraestruturas cinzas, a prioridade em transportes individuais em detrimento dos coletivos e não motorizados e a falta de planejamento integrado prevalecem e provocam mudanças significativas na paisagem urbana, como a construção de viadutos, canalização de rios e rodovias. Estas mudanças potencializam a ocorrência de sérios problemas ambientais, tais como: formação de ilhas de calor, inundações, aumento da poluição do ar, entre outros. Neste sentido, os telhados verdes se inserem como infraestrutura verde capaz de mitigar os efeitos desta urbanização. O Município de Volta Redonda, localizado na Região Sul do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, se enquadra na temática apresentada, por apresentar a poluição atmosférica como o principal problema ambiental, devido à intensa industrialização e ao crescente fluxo de veículos. Para tanto, foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica sobre temas como telhados verdes, políticas públicas, a apresentação de casos empíricos das políticas públicas acerca dos telhados verdes em nível mundial e nacional, para verificar a viabilidade deste instrumento como políticas públicas para minimizar os efeitos da poluição atmosférica neste município. Conclui-se que a implantação de telhados verdes, apesar de ser um incentivo incipiente, poderia mitigar os efeitos negativos da poluição atmosférica, melhorando, assim, a qualidade de vida da população.
Provisional Measures in icsid Arbitration from “Wonderland’s Jurisprudence” to Informal Modification of Treaties
Authors: Gazzini Tarcisio , Kolb Robert
Published: July 2017

Since 1999, icsid tribunals have almost systematically held that they have the power not only to recommend but also to order provisional measures under Article 47 of the icsid Convention and Rule 39 of the Arbitration Rules. This article argues that the legal arguments offered by these tribunals are often not fully elaborated and in any case not entirely convincing. It then provides an alternative reading of the decisions relating to the mandatory character of provisional measures, in the sense that they imply a significant departure from the meaning the contracting parties recorded in the treaty. Yet, as the majority of icsid members have endorsed, accepted or at least acquiesced in such departure, it appears that Article 47 of the icsid Convention has been informally modified through subsequent practice.
A new species of Graphis (Graphidaceae) from India
Authors: SWARNALATHA G.
Published: July 2017

A new species, Graphis andamanica Swarnal., is described from Andaman Islands in India. It is characterized by a completely carbonized excipulum, entire labia, a hymenium being inspersed with cinnamon red granules, hyaline, transversely septate ascospores, and by the presence of stictic and constictic acids.
The taxonomic revision of Asian Aristolochia (Aristolochiaceae) II: Identities of Aristolochia austroyunnanensis and A. dabieshanensis, and A. hyperxantha—a new species from Zhejiang, China
Authors: ZHU XIN-XIN , LIAO SHUAI , SUN ZENG-PENG , ZHEN AI-GUO , MA JIN-SHUANG
Published: July 2017

Through extensive field work and careful examination of specimens, live plant photos, and related publications of Aristolochia, we conclude that A. austroyunnanensis and A. dabieshanensis are distinct species. Meanwhile, Aristolochia hyperxantha, a new species from northwestern Zhejiang, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to A. mollissima in the flower color, but it differs in the indumentum and shape of leaf. Aristolochia hyperxantha is also similar to A. dabieshanensis in the leaf shape, but it differs in the shape and color of flower.
Does One Good Turn Deserve Another? Evidence of Domain-Specific Licensing in Energy Behavior
Authors: Noblet Caroline L. , McCoy Shannon K.
Published: July 2017

In this article we investigate licensing behavior across and within sustainability domains. In a survey study based on a random sample of residents of the state of Maine, USA ( N = 668), we find that an individual’s choice in a future policy scenario was significantly impacted by recalling his/her own previous sustainable behavior. We find evidence of domain-specific licensing in the energy realm, where individuals who participated in past sustainable energy behaviors are less likely to support a proposed public policy investment in energy efficiency/renewable energy. We employ a novel environmental motivation scale and determine that licensing impacts are mediated by an individual’s internal environmental motivation. Our results suggest that care must be taken in how we encourage sustainable behavior, without triggering licensing.
Water-Blown Rigid Foams
Authors: Christman D. L. , Reichel C. J.
Published: July 2017

With the scheduled phase out of CFCs near at hand, many companies have been investigating completely water-blown (CO2) rigid foams. Several problems surfaced immediately such as a substantial increase in k-factor, a reluctance for the foaming mass to flow and fill molds properly, and a tendency for the foam to be dimensionally unstable in the density range commonly considered.

Several applications do not require that k-factor be the primary concern. For instance, the insulation provided by some units containing rigid foam is affected by the tightness of the lid to the case, and insulation is required for only a limited, not an extended period of time, as for example, a picnic cooler. In such applications, a water-blown foam provides sufficient insulation and rigidity in the cooler walls to provide a satisfactory result. However, the foam in such cases must be dimensionally stable, i.e., over a period of time in which the cooler may be subjected to a number of heating and cooling cycles, the foam must not shrink, expand, or distort. One method to accomplish this is to use open-celled foam, since the cells contain no trapped gas to exert internal pressure on heating or cause a semi-vacuum on cooling.

At BASF we have uncovered a family of additives which act as cell openers when added to resin formulations. Using standard rigid foam polyols, we have prepared foams with densities as low as 0.90 pcf which show less than 5% dimensional changes when kept at 158°F and 100% R.H. for 28 days. The measured closed cell content can be as low as 3-5%, although foams in the 1.1-1.4 pcf density range were found to be dimensionally stable at closed cell contents as high as 88%.
Performance of Carbon Black-Containing Polyurethane Foam in Domestic Refrigerators
Authors: Pisipati J. S. , Godbey J. A.
Published: July 2017

The North American appliance industry has been challenged to meet stringent federal standards for energy consumption using CFC alternatives, which generally increase thermal conductivity of a foam. After a period of evaluating several options, the industry has, for the most part, settled on hydrochloro-fluorocarbon, HCFC-141b, as a substitute for CFC-11. Studies have shown that appliance foam systems using carbon black in conjunction with HCFC-141b lower k-factors by 6-9% both in panels and in cabinets.

Recent efforts in this area have demonstrated that this approach not only lowers k-factors but can provide benefits to reduce energy consumption of refrigerator cabinets.

Preliminary evaluation of carbon black-containing foams based on HCFC-141b had shown that the material processed well in cabinets and had no effect on linear appearance. No modifications to the foam processing equipment was necessary. Since black dispersions are relatively higher in viscosity compared to conventional isocyanates, a process study was conducted to understand flow behavior and maximize foam performance in cabinets.

Handmix work was extended to cyclopentane systems. Studies have shown that improvements of 7-9% in k-factors can be obtained in foams containing carbon black. This work demonstrates the versatility of using carbon black with different blowing agents. The use of carbon black provides an additional means of improving thermal insulation of polyurethane foam produced with current technologies.
Microcellular Polyurea Xerogels for Use in Vacuum Panels
Authors: Tabor R. L.
Published: July 2017

The refrigerator industry is faced with regulatory pressure on the one hand to replace CFCs as the blowing agent used in insulative foams and on the other to dramatically increase the energy efficiency of refrigerators by 1998. One of the solutions proposed is the use of vacuum panels as insulating components in the walls of the refrigerator. A variety of materials have been proposed as filler materials for the interior of such panels. A novel class of materials recently developed by Dow Plastics for this application is microcellular polyurea xerogels. These xerogels have been prepared by polymerizing polymeric MDI in solution to provide microcellular materials with pore sizes of about 10 microns and surface areas of about 98 sq meter/gram. Conventional open cell rigid foams, by contrast, have cell sizes of about 120 microns and surface areas of about 0.1 sq meter/gram. Polyurea xerogels represent an alternative filler for vacuum panels to precipitated silica or other inorganic powders, providing lower thermal conductivity under vacuum, lower density (6.5 to 8 pcf versus 12.5 pcf for precipitated silica), and potentially reduced vacuum panel fabrication costs (due to their monolithic form and elimination of powder handling). These microcellular materials were characterized by DMS (dynamic mechanical spectroscopy), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), TGA (thermal gravimetric analysis) and SEM (scanning electron microscopy). Laboratory scale vacuum panels have been fabricated and thermal conductivities measured. Greater flexibility in vacuum panel fabrication and part integration may be possible due to the ability of these materials to be machined or potentially molded into shapes. Additionally, unlike the technically mature area of open cell rigid foams, which have historically exhibited a lower pore size limit of approximately 50 microns, the potential exists for further pore size reduction in polyurea xerogels (currently at about 10 microns). As pore size is reduced in these novel materials, the corresponding thermal conductivity performance will improve.
Compensating for the war. Railway nationalisation and transport policy change in Sweden, 1939–47
Authors: Eriksson Martin
Published: July 2017

This paper deals with the negotiations and the decision-making process related to the nationalisation of the GDG rail network in Sweden during the period 1939–47. It highlights some of the distinct features of the railway nationalisation process in Sweden. It is noted that the nationalisation of GDG was exposed to factors and contexts that had not been anticipated when Parliament made the policy decision to nationalise the non-State railways in 1939. During World War II, the financial situation of GDG had benefited from new transport conditions which limited road–rail competition. Furthermore, the Social Democrats began to implement a more active transport policy as part of their post-war economic policy. This led to an outcome in 1947 where the GDG shareholders were compensated more generously than they would have been in 1939.
The publication of Newton’s Opera Omnia in Geneva and Lausanne (1739–1761): A chapter in the reception of Newtonianism
Authors: Guicciardini Niccolò
Published: July 2017

During the eighteenth century, several towns located in what is known today as the Suisse romande were extremely receptive toward scientific culture, and most notably Newtonianism. In this paper I deal with a nine-volume publication of Newton’s Opera Omnia that was planned in Geneva and Lausanne during the late 1730s and 1740s. This publication has not received the attention it deserves. To the best of my knowledge, even an awareness of its existence is lacking in the literature devoted to the reception of Newtonianism. This paper examines the circumstances of the publication of a complete set of all of Newton’s works known at the time, and the motivations of the editors, mathematicians, and publishers who were involved in this editorial enterprise.
Alcohol Problems and Blood Alcohol Concentration among Swedish Drivers Suspected of Driving under the Influence
Authors: Bergman Hans , Hubicka Beata , Laurell Hans
Published: July 2017

The purpose of the study was to map alcohol problems in relation to blood alcohol concentration in a large representative sample of male and female Swedish drivers suspected of drunk driving. Twenty-one hundred suspected DUI offenders (drivers suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol) were assessed with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). Information from the police regarding BAC, age, gender, and place and time of the stop was also collected. More than half (58%) of the suspected DUI offenders had alcohol problems, and among these 24% had high levels of alcohol problems. Of specific interest was the observation that almost half (46%) of the suspects with a BAC below the Swedish legal limit of 0.02% had alcohol problems, a prevalence that did not increase until a BAC of 0.10%–0.15%. It can be concluded that the mere suspicion of drunk driving indicates alcohol problems.
Instant Nutritional Assessment
Authors: Seltzer Murray H. , Bastidas J. Augusto , Cooper David M. , Engler Peter , Slocum Bernadette , Fletcher H. Stephen
Published: July 2017

Instant nutritional assessment of the hospitalized patient is described based upon admission serum albumin levels and total lymphocyte counts. Abnormalities of these parameters are associated with markedly increased morbidity and mortality in a series of 500 consecutively admitted patients. It is suggested that instant nutritional assessment be performed on all hospitalized patients with appropriate alterations and therapy being made to allow for nutritional repletion.
Gunshot Wounds to the Mandible and Midface: Evaluation, Treatment, and Avoidance of Complications
Authors: Cole Roger D. , Browne J. Dale , Phipps C. David
Published: July 2017

As American society becomes progressively violent, an ever‐increasing number of gunshot wounds are being seen across the United States. Particularly challenging are injuries that involve the mandible and midface, not only because of problems with reconstructing bone and soft‐tissue defects but also because of emergent problems with airway obstruction and neurovascular compromise. We present 40 cases of gunshot wounds to the mouth, mandible, and maxilla treated at Wake Forest University Medical Center during the past 7 years. The focus of this retrospective analysis is on emergency evaluation and treatment, complications encountered, and operative techniques used for reconstruction. Special emphasis is placed on recognizing and avoiding the complications of these injuries.
Mandible Fracture Repair: Specific Indications for Newer Techniques
Authors: Terms David J. , Lalakea M. Lauren , Tuffo Katherine M. , Shinn John B.
Published: July 2017

Mandible fracture repair is commonly undertaken by otolaryngologists. Although the essential principles of reduction and immobilization are undisputed, the approach used to obtain these goals varies considerably. We performed a critical evaluation of all mandible fractures treated at the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center by the otolaryngology service between January 1988 and February 1992, with the purpose of better defining the indications for plate fixation and for the use of more traditional techniques. One hundred eighty‐three fractures in 112 patients were evaluable. Thirty‐six (32.1%) of these patients had at least one plate placed (group A); 39 (34.8%) underwent an open procedure, with Interosseous wire fixation (group B); and 37 (33.0%) were treated with closed techniques (group C). The severity of fracture (Indexed by comminution, presence of infection, teeth in the fracture line, interval to repair, and whether the fracture was open or closed) was similar in plated and nonpiated mandibles. Mean (± standard deviation) operative times for the three groups were 3.2 ± 1.6 hours for group A, 3.0 ± 0.9 hours for group B, and 1.4 ± 0.5 hours for group C. The number of follow‐up visits required was not statistically different (group A, 5.6 ± 3.8 visits; group B, 5.2 ± 2.5 visits; and group C, 5.3 ± 2.0 visits). The overall Incidence of major complications was 14.3% (16 of 112), including 11 of 36 (30.6%) in group A, 4 of 39 (10.3%) in group B, and 1 of 37 (2.7%) in group C. The approximate cost of one compression plate with four screws is $550, compared with $12 for wire suitable for fixation (24 gauge). We conclude that plates are more expensive than wire fixation, are associated with a higher incidence of major complications, and should be reserved for situations in which traditional techniques are not feasible.
A Preliminary Study of the Prognostic Role of Electromyography in Laryngeal Paralysis
Authors: Min Young B. , Finnegan Eileen M. , Hoffman Henry T. , Luschei Erich S. , McCulloch Timothy M.
Published: July 2017

Confidence in the reliability of laryngeal electromyography to predict recovery is critical if this tool is to be used to select the type and timing of surgical intervention. The characteristics of electromyography of 14 patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis were assessed to determine which factor or combination of factors would be most useful in determining prognosis. We examined the duration, amplitude, waveform morphology, root‐mean‐square, and time interval from onset to electromyography recording. The results supported the concept that electromyography recordings are valuable in determining prognosis if performed before 6 months and preferably within 6 weeks of onset of laryngeal paralysis. A positive prognosis for laryngeal recovery was indicated when the following electromyography features were present in the immobile vocal fold: (1) normal motor unit waveform morphology. (2) overall electromyography activity characterized by a root‐mean‐square value greater than 40 μV in any one task, and (3) no electrical silence during voluntary tasks. On the basis of this criteria our overall correct prognostic rate was 89%.
Long-term effects of premature birth on somatic development in women through adolescence and adulthood
Authors: Kaczmarczyk Katarzyna , Pituch-Zdanowska Aleksandra , Wiszomirska Ida , Magiera Andrzej , Ronikier Aleksander
Published: July 2017

Objectives

To evaluate the long-term consequences of preterm birth on anthropometric parameters in women in adolescence and into adulthood.

Methods

Seventy girls born preterm (age 12.22 ± 1.52 years) and 48 born at term participated in the first stage. Eighteen years later, 13 of the same women participated in a follow-up and were compared with a control group of 27 women. We compared anthropometric results across the two examinations, and in the second stage, also assessed body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis.

Results

No significant differences were found in anthropometric parameters or the content of individual components of the body between the preterm-born and control groups. However, the preterm-born group showed a tendency for higher average fat mass and lower fat-free and soft lean mass compared with the control group, and had a significantly higher mean waist–hip ratio.

Conclusions

Preterm birth does not adversely affect somatic development in girls during adolescence, but shows a correlation with an elevated waist–hip ratio in adulthood.
Iatrogenic aortic dissection during percutaneous coronary intervention: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Li Jia-Chen , Guan Xin-Liang , Gong Ming , Zhang Hong-Jia
Published: July 2017

A 64-year-old female complaining of unrelieved chest pain for 2 days was admitted to the Emergency Room of the Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing, China. After definitive diagnosis, a percutaneous coronary intervention was implemented, but immediately after embedding the stent in the distal area of the right coronary artery, an acute coronary and aortic dissection was found. Cardiologists immediately gave the patient conservative management. At the same time, another smaller stent was immediately embedded in the proximal area of the right coronary artery and plunged into the ascending aorta by 2 mm, with the intention of covering the tear of the dissection. Repeated coronary angiography showed that a 40% stricture of the distal right coronary artery remained and less contrast agent had been extravasated. The patient was then transferred to the Department of Cardiac Surgery and received emergency surgery consisting of right coronary artery bypass grafting and ascending aorta replacement. The patient remained in the intensive care unit for 18 days after the surgery. The patient recovery was acceptable and she was discharged with a small amount of bilateral hydrothorax, moderate malnutrition oedema and iron deficiency anaemia.
Own Attractiveness and Dissatisfaction With Physical Appearance Independently Predict the Salience of Facial Cues to Size When Women Judge Other Women’s Attractiveness
Authors: Watkins Christopher D.
Published: July 2017

While facial cues to body size are a valid guide to health and attractiveness, it is unclear whether the observer’s own condition predicts the salience of (low) size as a cue to female attractiveness. The current study examines whether measures related to women’s own attractiveness/appearance predict the extent to which they use facial cues to size to differentiate other women on the attractiveness dimension. Women completed a body mass index (BMI) preference task, where they indicated their preference for high- versus low-BMI versions of the same woman, provided data to calculate their BMI and completed various psychometric measures (self-rated attractiveness/health, dissatisfaction with physical appearance). Here, attractive women and women who were dissatisfied with their own appearance were more likely to associate facial cues to low body size with high attractiveness. These data suggest that psychological factors related to women’s appearance shape their evaluations of other women based on cues to size. Such variation in attractiveness judgements may function to reduce the costs of female competition for resources, for example, by identifying “quality” rivals or excluding others based on cues to size.
Optimization of finite plates with polygonal cutout under in-plane loading by gray wolf optimizer
Authors: Bayati Chaleshtari Mohammad Hossein , Jafari Mohammad
Published: July 2017

This article investigates the optimum design of isotropic finite plates with different polygonal cutouts under in-plane loading (uniaxial tensile, biaxial, and pure shear load). This purpose is pursued by a gray wolf optimization algorithm. The important features of this algorithm include flexibility, simplicity, short solution time, and the ability to avoid local optimums. The objective function used for this algorithm seeks to minimize the value of stress concentration factor around different cutouts. The method used for the calculation of stress concentration is based on analytical solution of Muskhelishvili complex variable and conformal mapping with plane stress assumption. The plate is assumed to be isotropic, linear elastic, and finite (the ratio of cutout side to plate’s longest side in the square and triangular cutouts and the ratio of diameter of circle circumscribing other n-gonals to the plate’s longest side are greater than 0.2). Results show that by selecting the aforementioned parameters properly, less amounts of stress could be achieved around the polygonal cutout leading to an increase in load-bearing capacity of the structure.