bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association between Physical Condition and Body Composition, Nutrient Intake, Sociodemographic Characteristics, and Lifestyle Habits in Older Spanish Adults
Authors: Bibiloni Maria del Mar , Karam Joanne , Bouzas Cristina , Aparicio-Ugarriza Raquel , Pedrero-Chamizo Raquel , Sureda Antoni , González-Gross Marcela , Tur Josep A.
Published: November 2018

In this study, we assessed physical condition and its association with body composition, nutrient intake, sociodemographic characteristics, and lifestyle habits in older Spanish adults. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated 380 individuals (54% women; men aged 55–80 years and women aged 60–80 years) with no previously documented cardiovascular disease. A general questionnaire was used, and body weight, height, fat, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, and waist circumference were assessed. Physical condition measurements included handgrip strength (HGS) and agility/dynamic balance by eight-foot time up-and-go (8-f TUG) test. The lowest maximum HGS score (kg) was found in older participants, inactive men, and men with abdominal obesity. The highest maximum 8-f TUG score (s) was found in older and inactive, low education, low income, and abdominal obesity and overfat participants; 24.5% of participants had low maximum HGS and 36.8% had a high 8-f TUG score. Sex- and/or age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for low maximum HGS in women, older participants, overweight and overfat participants were 4.6, 2.9, 0.6 and 0.6 respectively. Sex and/or age adjusted OR for high maximum 8-f TUG in women, overweight, overfat, and abdominally obese participants were 2.4, 1.6, 1.7, and 3.4, respectively; in participants with higher education, those who earned €900 or more per month, and slightly active and active participants had OR values of 0.4, 0.4, and 0.3, respectively. Sarcopenia incidence was 0.3%; however, 4.5% of men and 19.1% of women registered low physical condition (high and low scores in 8-f TUG and HGS tests, respectively). Overall, 36.8%, 24.5%, and 0.3% of participants had high maximum 8-f TUG score, low maximum HGS, and sarcopenia, respectively. Prevalence of these low values varies according to sociodemographic and body composition variables.
High Mixing Efficiency by Modulating Inlet Frequency of Viscoelastic Fluid in Simplified Pore Structure
Authors: Zhang Meng , Cui Yunfeng , Cai Weihua , Wu Zhengwei , Li Yongyao , Li Fengchen , Zhang Wu
Published: November 2018

Fluid mixing plays an essential role in microscale flow systems. Here, we propose an active mixing approach which enhances the mixing of viscoelastic fluid flow in a simplified pore T-junction structure. Mixing is actively controlled by modulating the driving pressure with a sinusoidal signal at the two inlets of the T-junction. The mixing effect is numerically investigated for both Newtonian and viscoelastic fluid flows under different pressure modulation conditions. The result shows that a degree of mixing as high as 0.9 is achieved in viscoelastic fluid flows through the T-junction mixer when the phase difference between the modulated pressures at the two inlets is 180°. This modulation method can also be used in other fluid mixing devices.
The Impact of Oriented Perforations on Fracture Propagation and Complexity in Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Liu Liyuan , Li Lianchong , Elsworth Derek , Zhi Sheng , Yu Yongjun
Published: November 2018

To better understand the interaction between hydraulic fracture and oriented perforation, a fully coupled finite element method (FEM)-based hydraulic-geomechanical fracture model accommodating gas sorption and damage has been developed. Damage conforms to a maximum stress criterion in tension and to Mohr–Coulomb limits in shear with heterogeneity represented by a Weibull distribution. Fracturing fluid flow, rock deformation and damage, and fracture propagation are collectively represented to study the complexity of hydraulic fracture initiation with perforations present in the near-wellbore region. The model is rigorously validated against experimental observations replicating failure stresses and styles during uniaxial compression and then hydraulic fracturing. The influences of perforation angle, in situ stress state, initial pore pressure, and properties of the fracturing fluid are fully explored. The numerical results show good agreement with experimental observations and the main features of the hydraulic fracturing process in heterogeneous rock are successfully captured. A larger perforation azimuth (angle) from the direction of the maximum principal stress induces a relatively larger curvature of the fracture during hydraulic fracture reorientation. Hydraulic fractures do not always initiate at the oriented perforations and the fractures induced in hydraulic fracturing are not always even and regular. Hydraulic fractures would initiate both around the wellbore and the oriented perforations when the perforation angle is >75°. For the liquid-based hydraulic fracturing, the critical perforation angle increases from 70° to 80°, with an increase in liquid viscosity from 10−3 Pa·s to 1 Pa·s. While for the gas fracturing, the critical perforation angle remains 62° to 63°. This study is of great significance in further understanding the near-wellbore impacts on hydraulic fracture propagation and complexity.
Design and Experimental Evaluation of an Odor Sensing Method for a Pocket-Sized Quadcopter
Authors: Shigaki Shunsuke , Fikri Muhamad Rausyan , Kurabayashi Daisuke
Published: November 2018

In this study, we design and verify an intake system using the wake of a pocket-sized quadcopter for the chemical plume tracing (CPT) problem. Solving CPT represents an important technique in the field of engineering because it can be used to perform rescue operations at the time of a disaster and to identify sources of harmful substances. An appropriate intake of air when sensing odors plays an important role in performing CPT. Hence, we used the air flow generated by a quadcopter itself to intake chemical particles into two alcohol sensors. By experimental evaluation, we verified that the quadcopter wake intake method has good directivity and can be used to realize CPT. Concretely, even at various odor source heights, the quadcopter had a three-dimensional CPT success rate of at least 70%. These results imply that, although a further development of three-dimensional CPT is necessary in order to conduct it in unknown and cluttered environments, the intake method proposed in this paper enables a pocket-sized quadcopter to perform three-dimensional CPT.
Non-Intrusive Cable Fault Diagnosis Based on Inductive Directional Coupling
Authors: Hu Suyang , Wang Li , Gao Chuang , Zhang Bin , Liu Zhichan , Yang Shanshui
Published: November 2018

This paper presents and applies an inductive directional coupling technology based on spread spectrum time domain reflectometry (SSTDR) for non-intrusive power cable fault diagnosis. Different from existing capacitive coupling approaches with large signal attenuation, an inductive coupling approach with a capacitive trapper is proposed to restrict the detection signal from transmitting to power source and to eliminate the effect of the power source impedance mismatch. The development, analysis, and implementation of the proposed approach are discussed in detail. A series of simulations and experiments on cables with different fault modes are conducted, along with comparison of existing capacitive coupling, to verify and demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Multi-View Laser Point Cloud Global Registration for a Single Object
Authors: Wang Shuai , Sun Hua-Yan , Guo Hui-Chao , Du Lin , Liu Tian-Jian
Published: November 2018

Global registration is an important step in the three-dimensional reconstruction of multi-view laser point clouds for moving objects, but the severe noise, density variation, and overlap ratio between multi-view laser point clouds present significant challenges to global registration. In this paper, a multi-view laser point cloud global registration method based on low-rank sparse decomposition is proposed. Firstly, the spatial distribution features of point clouds were extracted by spatial rasterization to realize loop-closure detection, and the corresponding weight matrix was established according to the similarities of spatial distribution features. The accuracy of adjacent registration transformation was evaluated, and the robustness of low-rank sparse matrix decomposition was enhanced. Then, the objective function that satisfies the global optimization condition was constructed, which prevented the solution space compression generated by the column-orthogonal hypothesis of the matrix. The objective function was solved by the Augmented Lagrange method, and the iterative termination condition was designed according to the prior conditions of single-object global registration. The simulation analysis shows that the proposed method was robust with a wide range of parameters, and the accuracy of loop-closure detection was over 90%. When the pairwise registration error was below 0.1 rad, the proposed method performed better than the three compared methods, and the global registration accuracy was better than 0.05 rad. Finally, the global registration results of real point cloud experiments further proved the validity and stability of the proposed method.
Impact Performance Evaluation of a Crash Cushion Design Using Finite Element Simulation and Full-Scale Crash Testing
Authors: Büyük Murat , Atahan Ali Osman , Kurucuoğlu Kenan
Published: November 2018

Crash cushions are designed to gradually absorb the kinetic energy of an impacting vehicle and bring it to a controlled stop within an acceptable distance while maintaining a limited amount of deceleration on the occupants. These cushions are used to protect errant vehicles from hitting rigid objects, such as poles and barriers located at exit locations on roads. Impact performance evaluation of crash cushions are attained according to an EN 1317-3 standard based on various speed limits and impact angles. Crash cushions can be designed to absorb the energy of an impacting vehicle by using different material deformation mechanisms, such as metal plasticity supported by airbag folding or damping. In this study, a new crash cushion system, called the ulukur crash cushion (UCC), is developed by using linear, low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) containers supported by embedded plastic energy-absorbing tubes as dampers. Steel cables are used to provide anchorage to the design. The crashworthiness of the system was evaluated both numerically and experimentally. The finite element model of the design was developed and solved using LS-DYNA (971, LSTC, Livermore, CA, USA), in which the impact performance was evaluated considering the EN 1317 standard. Following the simulations, full-scale crash tests were performed to determine the performance of the design in containing and redirecting the impacting vehicle. Both the simulations and crash tests showed acceptable agreement. Further crash tests are planned to fully evaluate the crashworthiness of the new crash cushion system.
Engaging Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Responses
Authors: Buscher Dale
Published: November 2018

This project report captures 10 years of work by the Women’s Refugee Commission on the inclusion of disability in humanitarian responses. The report covers early research on refugees with disabilities and subsequent work on disability inclusion, including the target areas of gender-based violence, child protection, and sexual and reproductive health. Later presented work focuses on engaging organizations of persons with disabilities (DPOs) in humanitarian responses—both as expert resources to inform humanitarian actors as well as sources of information, services, and social support for refugees with disabilities living in their host communities. The report concludes with recent work on soliciting input from DPO networks on the Guidelines on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, which are currently under development.
Hot Spots and Hot Moments of Soil Moisture Explain Fluctuations in Iron and Carbon Cycling in a Humid Tropical Forest Soil
Authors: Barcellos Diego , O’Connell Christine S. , Silver Whendee , Meile Christof , Thompson Aaron
Published: November 2018

Soils from humid forests undergo spatial and temporal variations in moisture and oxygen (O2) in response to rainfall, and induce changes in iron (Fe) and carbon (C) biogeochemistry. We hypothesized that high rainfall periods stimulate Fe and C cycling, with the greatest effects in areas of high soil moisture. To test this, we measured Fe and C cycling across three catenas at valley, slope, and ridge positions every two days for a two-month period in a rainforest in Puerto Rico. Over 12 days without rain, soil moisture, FeII, rapidly reducible Fe oxides (FeIIIRR), and dissolved organic C (DOC) declined, but Eh and O2 increased; conversely, during a 10-day period of intense rain (290 mm), we observed the opposite trends. Mixed-effects models suggest precipitation predicted soil moisture, soil redox potential (Eh), and O2, which in turn influenced Fe reduction/oxidation, C dissolution, and mineralization processes. The approximate turnover time for HCl-extractable FeII was four days for both production and consumption, and may be driven by fluctuations in FeIIIRR, which ranged from 42% to 100% of citrate–ascorbate-extractable FeIII (short-range order (SRO)-FeIII) at a given site. Our results demonstrated that periods of high precipitation (hot moments) influenced Fe and C-cycling within day-to-week timescales, and were more pronounced in humid valleys (hot spots).
Pacing and Changes in Body Composition in 48 h Ultra-Endurance Running—A Case Study
Authors: Knechtle Beat , Rosemann Thomas , Nikolaidis Pantelis T.
Published: November 2018

Pacing has been investigated in elite and master runners competing in marathon and ultra-marathon races up to 100 km and 100 miles, but not in longer ultra-marathons. In this case study, a 54-year-old master ultra-marathoner—intending to achieve as many kilometers as possible in a 48 h run—was examined. The changes in running speed during the race and selected anthropometric characteristics using bioelectrical impedance analysis (i.e., body mass and body water), during and after the race, were analyzed. The runner achieved a total distance of 230 km and running speed decreased non-linearly during the race. Body mass decreased, while percent body water increased, non-linearly, across the race. There was no statistically significant relationship between the decrease in body mass and the increase in percent body water. Considering the popularity of ultra-endurance running races, the findings of the present study offered valuable insight in the pacing and changes of body mass and body water during a 48 h run, and this information can be used by ultra-endurance runners and practitioners working with them.
Overview of Polish Mining Wastes with Circular Economy Model and Its Comparison with Other Wastes
Authors: Woźniak Justyna , Pactwa Katarzyna
Published: November 2018

This article discusses the main issues associated with waste from mining activity, which is the largest group of combined waste in Poland. A series of domestic and foreign solutions (practical and laboratory solutions) were indicated here, aimed at the management of waste in accordance with the tendency of circular economy (CE). In connection with the legislative changes, there is a need to resign from storage of the waste that is recyclable. The authors indicate mining waste as a potential for further studies, searching for solutions in regard to the use of waste as a raw material for sustainable, secondary use/reuse. Based on EUROSTAT data, the types of waste from mining and quarrying were grouped and the juxtaposition of all waste generated in Poland was implemented in the context of selected European economies. It was indicated which types of waste can be identified for reuse and management in accordance with CE. Rational management of mineral raw materials and therefore, maintaining of the level of extraction of domestic natural resources will contribute to maintaining not only energy independence, but also the leading position of Polish mining in the international aspect in the scope of extraction of metallic and rock raw materials. Mining waste can be and is reused in accordance with the concept of CE, which was showed through the example of domestic industry enterprises and their business models.
Urban Mobility and Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Status, Public Policies, and Scenarios in a Developing Economy City, Natal, Brazil
Authors: Lopes Toledo André , Lèbre La Rovere Emílio
Published: November 2018

This study aims to deepen the understanding of the role of the urban mobility sector in the current and future greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a middle-sized city of Brazil, which is also a developing economy. With the cross-reference between road and rail mobility data, governmental mobility planning, the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories (GPC) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emission quantification methodology, and the creation of scenarios for up to 10 subsequent years, it is possible to verify that individual motorized transport accounts for 60% of the total emissions from the urban transportation sector, with the largest amount of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2eq) emissions per passenger among all of the forms of mobility. However, in the case of this study, government mobility planning, by not encouraging more energy-efficient transport and non-motorized modes, ends up aggravating GHG emissions in the scenarios considered for 2020 and 2025. In turn, the mitigation scenarios proposed herein integrate public transport and non-motorized transport solutions that would reduce the total of equivalent carbon dioxide (tCO2eq) by at least 45,000 tCO2eq per year by 2025. This cross-referencing of the environmental impact of government mobility policies can be replicated in other cities in developing countries that do not yet present municipal inventories or emission monitoring.
Corporate Sustainability and Green Innovation in an Emerging Economy—An Empirical Study in China
Authors: Liu Shubo , Yan Min-Ren
Published: November 2018

Amid increased emphasis on sustainable development, understanding the sustainability initiative and practice of companies has attracted the attention of both academia and industry. Corporate sustainability combines triple values including environmental protection, social wellbeing, and economic benefit for companies. Drawing on institutional theory and employing an inductive case research method, we examine companies developing their green innovation and sustainability projects in a challenging context of China. Four representative case studies and in-depth interviews were conducted to examine how these firms overcome barriers in the less developed institutional environment. To better explain corporate sustainability with green innovations, a conceptual framework has been proposed to illustrate how firms operate in a network of relationship and cooperate with their external stakeholders. Firms’ strategies to dynamically achieve the aim of corporate sustainability were identified based on a co-evolutional mechanism in the interface between institutions and organizations.
How Young “Early Birds” Prefer Preservation, Appreciation and Utilization of Nature
Authors: Raab Patricia , Randler Christoph , Bogner Franz X.
Published: November 2018

Since the 1990s, the Two Major Environmental Value model (2-MEV) has been applied to measure adolescent environmental attitudes by covering two higher order factors: (i) Preservation of Nature (PRE) which measures protection preferences and (ii) Utilization of Nature (UTL) which quantifies preferences towards exploitation of nature. In addition to the 2-MEV scale, we monitored the Appreciation of Nature (APR) which, in contrast to the UTL, monitors the enjoyable utilization of nature. Finally, we employed the Morningness–Eveningness Scale for Children (MESC) which monitors the diurnal preferences and associates with personality and behavioral traits. In this study, we analyzed data from 429 Irish students (14.65 years; ±1.89 SD) with the aim of reconfirming the factor structure of the 2-MEV+APR and monitoring the relationship between the MESC and the environmental values (PRE, UTL, APR). Our findings identified a significant association between PRE and APR with MESC. In addition, we observed a gender difference. Our results suggest that morningness preference students are more likely to be protective of and appreciative towards nature. Recommendations for outreach programs as well as conclusions for environmental education initiatives in general are discussed.
Novel Parameterized Distance Measures on Hesitant Fuzzy Sets with Credibility Degree and Their Application in Decision-Making
Authors: Li Jiaru , Zhang Fangwei , Li Qiang , Sun Jing , Yee Janney , Wang Shuhong , Xiao Shujun
Published: November 2018

The subject of this study is to explore the role of cardinality of hesitant fuzzy element (HFE) in distance measures on hesitant fuzzy sets (HFSs). Firstly, three parameters, i.e., credibility factor, conservative factor, and a risk factor are introduced, thereafter, a series of novel distance measures on HFSs are proposed using these three parameters. These newly proposed distance measures handle the relationship between the cardinal number and the element values of hesitant fuzzy set well, and are suitable to combine subjective and objective decision-making information. When using these functions, decision makers with different risk preferences are allowed to give different values for these three parameters. In particular, this study transfers the hesitance degree index to a credibility of the values in HFEs, which is consistent with people’s intuition. Finally, the practicability of the newly proposed distance measures is verified by two examples.
Race Recognition Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks
Authors: Vo Thanh , Nguyen Trang , Le C. T.
Published: November 2018

Race recognition (RR), which has many applications such as in surveillance systems, image/video understanding, analysis, etc., is a difficult problem to solve completely. To contribute towards solving that problem, this article investigates using a deep learning model. An efficient Race Recognition Framework (RRF) is proposed that includes information collector (IC), face detection and preprocessing (FD&P), and RR modules. For the RR module, this study proposes two independent models. The first model is RR using a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) (the RR-CNN model). The second model (the RR-VGG model) is a fine-tuning model for RR based on VGG, the famous trained model for object recognition. In order to examine the performance of our proposed framework, we perform an experiment on our dataset named VNFaces, composed specifically of images collected from Facebook pages of Vietnamese people, to compare the accuracy between RR-CNN and RR-VGG. The experimental results show that for the VNFaces dataset, the RR-VGG model with augmented input images yields the best accuracy at 88.87% while RR-CNN, an independent and lightweight model, yields 88.64% accuracy. The extension experiments conducted prove that our proposed models could be applied to other race dataset problems such as Japanese, Chinese, or Brazilian with over 90% accuracy; the fine-tuning RR-VGG model achieved the best accuracy and is recommended for most scenarios.
Interactive Tuning Tool of Proportional-Integral Controllers for First Order Plus Time Delay Processes
Authors: Ruz Mario L. , Garrido Juan , Vazquez Francisco , Morilla Fernando
Published: November 2018

Engineering education and, particularly, control engineering, has shown growth in research and development activities during last years. Currently, proportional–integral (PI) and proportional–integral–derivative (PID) controllers are the most commonly used in industrial process applications. Nonetheless, it is reported that many of them are badly tuned. From an educational perspective, it is crucial for the student to understand the importance of tuning a control loop correctly. This paper presents an interactive tool focused on the study of PI controllers. The tool provides a set of tuning rules for both open-loop stable and unstable first order plus time delay processes. The different tuning rules can be compared interactively by the user, allowing a critical analysis of basic concepts about stability, robustness, and performance in PI control loops. In addition to educational purposes, the tool has been developed, taking into account practical considerations, such as simulation with a controller discrete implementation, process input saturations, and windup effect. We evaluated students’ achievement in the final examination in the Automatic Control course of the Electronics Engineering degree. Students showed significant improvement in their understanding of PI controller design. A survey and a practical case study were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed tool.
Two Live Attenuated Vaccines against Recent Low–and Highly Pathogenic H7N9 Influenza Viruses Are Safe and Immunogenic in Ferrets
Authors: Rudenko Larisa , Kiseleva Irina , Krutikova Elena , Stepanova Ekaterina , Isakova-Sivak Irina , Donina Svetlana , Rekstin Andrey , Pisareva Maria , Bazhenova Ekaterina , Kotomina Tatiana , Katelnikova Anastasia , Muzhikyan Arman , Makarov Valery , Sparrow Erin Grace , Torelli Guido
Published: November 2018

Influenza H7N9 virus is a potentially pandemic subtype to which most people are immunologically naïve. To be better prepared for the potential occurrence of an H7N9 pandemic, in 2017 the World Health Organization recommended developing candidate vaccine viruses from two new H7N9 viruses, A/Guangdong/17SF003/2016 (A/GD) and A/Hong Kong/125/2017 (A/HK). This report describes the development of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) candidates against A/GD and A/HK viruses and study of their safety and immunogenicity in the ferret model in order to choose the most promising one for a phase I clinical trial. The A/HK-based vaccine candidate (A/17/HK) was developed by classical reassortment in eggs. The A/GD-based vaccine candidate (A/17/GD) was generated by reverse genetics. Ferrets were vaccinated with two doses of LAIV or phosphate-buffered saline. Both H7N9 LAIVs tested were safe for ferrets, as shown by absence of clinical signs, and by virological and histological data; they were immunogenic after a single vaccination. These results provide a compelling argument for further testing of these vaccines in volunteers. Since the A/HK virus represents the cluster that has caused the majority of human cases, and because the A/HK-based LAIV candidate was developed by classical reassortment, this is the preferred candidate for a phase I clinical trial.
Investigating Human Visual Sensitivity to Binocular Motion-in-Depth for Anti- and De-Correlated Random-Dot Stimuli
Authors: Giesel Martin , Wade Alex R. , Bloj Marina , Harris Julie M.
Published: November 2018

Motion-in-depth can be detected by using two different types of binocular cues: change of disparity (CD) and inter-ocular velocity differences (IOVD). To investigate the underlying detection mechanisms, stimuli can be constructed that isolate these cues or contain both (FULL cue). Two different methods to isolate the IOVD cue can be employed: anti-correlated (aIOVD) and de-correlated (dIOVD) motion signals. While both types of stimuli have been used in studies investigating the perception of motion-in-depth, for the first time, we explore whether both stimuli isolate the same mechanism and how they differ in their relative efficacy. Here, we set out to directly compare aIOVD and dIOVD sensitivity by measuring motion coherence thresholds. In accordance with previous results by Czuba et al. (2010), we found that motion coherence thresholds were similar for aIOVD and FULL cue stimuli for most participants. Thresholds for dIOVD stimuli, however, differed consistently from thresholds for the two other cues, suggesting that aIOVD and dIOVD stimuli could be driving different visual mechanisms.
The MUSCLES Treasury Survey. V. FUV Flares on Active and Inactive M Dwarfs*

†

‡
Authors: Loyd R. O. Parke , France Kevin , Youngblood Allison , Schneider Christian , Brown Alexander , Hu Renyu , Segura Antígona , Linsky Jeffrey , Redfield Seth , Tian Feng , Rugheimer Sarah , Miguel Yamila , Froning Cynthia S.
Published: November 2018

M dwarf stars are known for their vigorous flaring. This flaring could impact the climate of orbiting planets, making it important to characterize M dwarf flares at the short wavelengths that drive atmospheric chemistry and escape. We conducted a far-ultraviolet flare survey of six M dwarfs from the recent MUSCLES (Measurements of the Ultraviolet Spectral Characteristics of Low-mass Exoplanetary Systems) observations, as well as four highly active M dwarfs with archival data. When comparing absolute flare energies, we found the active-M-star flares to be about 10× more energetic than inactive-M-star flares. However, when flare energies were normalized by the star’s quiescent flux, the active and inactive samples exhibited identical flare distributions, with a power-law index of

(cumulative distribution). The rate and distribution of flares are such that they could dominate the FUV energy budget of M dwarfs, assuming the same distribution holds to flares as energetic as those cataloged by Kepler and ground-based surveys. We used the observed events to create an idealized model flare with realistic spectral and temporal energy budgets to be used in photochemical simulations of exoplanet atmospheres. Applied to our own simulation of direct photolysis by photons alone (no particles), we find that the most energetic observed flares have little effect on an Earth-like atmosphere, photolyzing ∼0.01% of the total O3 column. The observations were too limited temporally (73 hr cumulative exposure) to catch rare, highly energetic flares. Those that the power-law fit predicts occur monthly would photolyze ∼1% of the O3 column and those it predicts occur yearly would photolyze the full O3 column. Whether such energetic flares occur at the rate predicted is an open question.
Lenslet Array and Fabry–Pérot Based Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Ranganathan Mohanakrishna , Sankarasubramanian K. , Bayanna A. R. , Mathew S. K.
Published: November 2018

We present a novel technique of imaging a 2D region such that the image formed has both spectral and spatial information in a single frame. This technique uses a combination of a microlenslet array and a Fabry–Pérot etalon to generate multiple images of the region at different wavelength positions. This results in the formation of a hyperspectral image in a single snapshot. The instrument contains no moving parts and uses the property of blueshift of the transmitted wavelength as the angle of incidence increases on an etalon. The spectral band covered, field of view of the region, and the hyperspectral bands needed can be selected and altered by a simple change in the combination of focal length of imaging and collimating lenses used in the setup. Results obtained from solar observation of two regions in absorption and emission lines, respectively, are presented. A conceptual design of extending the capability of this instrument to perform hyperspectropolarimetry is also presented.
The Complementary Roles of Feedback and Mergers in Building the Gaseous Halo and the X-Ray Corona of Milky-Way-sized Galaxies
Authors: Sokołowska A. , Babul A. , Mayer L. , Shen S. , Madau P.
Published: November 2018

We use high-resolution cosmological hydrodynamical simulations of Milky-Way-sized galaxies with varying supernova feedback strengths and merger histories to investigate the formation of their gaseous halos and especially their hot (>106 K) X-ray-luminous coronae. Our simulations predict the presence of significant hot gas in the halos as early as z = 3–4, well before the halos ought to be able to sustain hot mode accretion in the conventional picture. The nascent coronae grow inside-out and initially do so primarily as a result of outflows from the central galaxies powered by merger-induced shock heating and strong supernova feedback, both of which are elemental features of today’s successful galaxy formation models. Furthermore, the outflows and the forming coronae also accelerate the transition from cold to hot mode accretion by contributing to the conditions for sustaining stable accretion shocks. They also disrupt the filamentary streams funneling cold gas onto the central galaxies by causing their mouths to fray into a broad delta, detach from the galaxies, and be pushed away to larger radii. And even though at early times the filaments repeatedly re-form, the hot gas and the outflows act to weaken the filaments and accelerate their ultimate disruption. Although galactic outflows are generally thought of as ejective feedback, we find that their action on the filaments suggests a preventive role as well.
Constraining the Solar Galactic Reflex Velocity using Gaia Observations of the Sagittarius Stream
Authors: Hayes Christian R. , Law David R. , Majewski Steven R.
Published: November 2018

Because of its particular orientation around the Galaxy—i.e., in a plane nearly perpendicular to the Galactic plane and containing both the Sun and Galactic center—the Sagittarius (Sgr) stream provides a powerful means by which to measure the solar reflex velocity, and thereby infer the velocity of the Local Standard of Rest (LSR), in a way that is independent of assumptions about the solar Galactocentric distance. Moreover, the solar reflex velocity with respect to the stream is projected almost entirely into the proper motion component of Sgr stream stars perpendicular to the Sgr plane, which makes the inferred velocity relatively immune to most Sgr model assumptions. Using Gaia Data Release 2 proper motions of ∼2000 stars identified to be Sgr stream candidates in concert with the Law & Majewski Sgr N-body models (which provide a good match to the Gaia observations), we constrain the solar reflex velocity induced by its orbital motion around the Galaxy to be Θ⊙ = 253 ± 6 km s−1. Assuming a solar peculiar motion in the direction of orbital rotation of 12 km s−1, and an LSR velocity of 12 km s−1 with respect to the local circular speed, the implied circular speed of the Milky Way at the solar circle is 229 ± 6 km s−1.
Daclatasvir and Sofosbuvir with Ribavirin for 24 Weeks in Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype-3-Infected Patients with Cirrhosis: A Phase III Study (ALLY-3C)
Authors: Poordad Fred , Shiffman Mitchell L , Ghesquiere Wayne , Wong Alexander , Huhn Gregory D , Wong Florence , Ramji Alnoor , Shafran Stephen D , McPhee Fiona , Yang Rong , Noviello Stephanie , Linaberry Misti ,   the ALLY-3C study team
Published: November 2018

Background

Optimal treatment for patients with HCV genotype-3 infection and liver cirrhosis remains a medical priority. Daclatasvir+sofosbuvir and ribavirin is a recommended option for such patients, but clinical trial data are lacking for treatment >16 weeks.

Methods

This was a single-arm, Phase III study of daclatasvir+sofosbuvir+ribavirin for 24 weeks in patients with compensated cirrhosis and HCV genotype-3 infection. The primary end point was sustained virological response at post-treatment week 12 (SVR12); the primary objective was to demonstrate statistical superiority to historical SVR12 data for 12 weeks’ daclatasvir+sofosbuvir without ribavirin in genotype-3-infected patients with cirrhosis (95% CI lower bound >79.0%).

Results

A total of 78 patients were treated (54 treatment-naive, 24 treatment-experienced including 8 with prior sofosbuvir exposure). SVR12 was achieved by 87% (68/78; 95% CI 77.7, 93.7%) of patients in the primary analysis of central laboratory data. One additional patient achieved SVR12 by local testing resulting in an overall SVR12 rate of 88% (95% CI 79.2, 94.6%) and the lower bound of the 95% CI above the historical threshold. SVR12 rates were 93% (50/54) for treatment-naive and 79% (19/24) for treatment-experienced patients. Of the nine non-SVR12 patients, four were lost to follow-up, two relapsed (both sofosbuvir-experienced), two had end-of-treatment virological failure and one discontinued early. There were no unexpected safety signals; only one patient discontinued for an adverse event.

Conclusions

Daclatasvir+sofosbuvir+ribavirin for 24 weeks was well tolerated and efficacious in HCV genotype-3-infected patients with compensated cirrhosis, with SVR12 outcomes comparable to previously reported outcomes in patients treated with this regimen for 12–16 weeks.
Does Rheumatoid Arthritis Really Improve During Pregnancy? A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis
Authors: Jethwa Hannah , Lam Suzanne , Smith Colette , Giles Ian
Published: November 2018

Objective.

We performed a systematic review and metaanalysis to assess rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity during pregnancy using objective disease activity scoring systems.

Methods.

A systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE/Medline, Cochrane, and LactMed databases was performed. Our inclusion criteria for analysis were prospective studies, more than 5 patients per study, and data on RA using an objective scoring system conducted by a clinician/health professional.

Results.

Ten studies were eligible for final analysis, which included 237 patients, of which prepartum data were available for 204 patients. Postpartum disease activity was recorded in 135 pregnancies.

Conclusion.

Disease activity improved in 60% of patients with RA in pregnancy and flared in 46.7% postpartum.
Use of Buprenorphine to Treat Opioid Use Disorder
Authors: Bartholow Lydia Anne M. , Pope Justine
Published: November 2018

As the opioid crisis continues to worsen in the United States, nurses must take on a central role of intervention, which includes use of the opioid agonist medication, buprenorphine. The current article addresses the need to understand opioid use disorder as a chronic condition and increase access to treatment with pharmacotherapies, particularly buprenorphine, in outpatient settings. The pharmacological activity of buprenorphine is discussed, as well as the reasons for its underutilization, specifically stigma. Nurses can be frontline leaders in the fight against the opioid crisis by addressing stigma and increasing access to the life-saving medication, buprenorphine. [
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 56
(11), 9–12.]
APPLYING PROJECT BASED LEARNING IN AN UNDERGRADUATE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM AT APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Authors: Russell James A , Helms Chelsea R , Everhart R Chadwick , Miller D Jason
Published: November 2018

INTRODUCTION

Project based learning (PBL) fully engages students in the subject area, promotes teamwork, transdisciplinary collaboration, allows student teams to engage and solve community design problems and can ultimately lead to broader student worldviews. PBL, however, presents significant curricular challenges, including project definition and meaningful student assessment.

The authors began the process of exploring PBL through a National Science Foundation Transformation Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (TUES) award. The program was piloted for two semesters under the TUES award and has now completed its eighth semester overall operating as a special curricular track in parallel with an existing, traditional curricular program in Building Science. With four years of dedicated PBL program experience to inform their efforts, the authors are currently reworking the existing Building Science program curriculum to fully integrate a PBL capstone during the senior year while establishing a clear curricular path, creating a sound base of projects, and maintaining resource limits that include, but are not limited to, facilities, materials and personnel.

In this paper, the authors discuss their successes and difficulties with implementing PBL in an undergraduate design and construction program by reviewing twelve years of both spontaneous and planned project based PBL experiences in an undergraduate design and construction program.
A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF GREEN BUILDINGS WITH RESPECT TO CONSTRUCTION WASTE MINIMIZATION USING BIG DATA IN HONG KONG
Authors: Chen Xi , Lu Weisheng , Xue Fan , Xu Jinying
Published: November 2018

It is generally accepted that the extra construction costs involved in the construction of green buildings will result in benefits including lower operation costs, higher sale/rental prices, and better sustainability performance. However, there has been little recognition of construction waste minimization (CWM) as one of the important benefits of sustainability performance as designated in green building. This paper aims to provide a better understanding of the cost benefit of green buildings with respect to CWM by using big data in the context of Hong Kong. The study is innovative in that it conducts a cost-benefit analysis specifically on CWM of green buildings by mining large-volume datasets. A surprise finding is that Hong Kong's green building rating system (GBRS), i.e. the BEAM Plus, has a negligible effect on CWM, while it generally increases construction costs by approximately 24%. Hence, the increased construction cost of green buildings cannot be offset by CWM if corresponding items in the BEAM Plus are not properly incentivized. This paper demonstrates the necessity of emphasizing CWM-related items in GBRSs and of taking appropriate measures to deal with them. It also provides better decision-support information on the increased construction costs and the attainable benefits of green building that developers may wish to consider when initiating a green building project.
DIFFUSION OF INNOVATION IN SUSTAINABLE BUILDING PRACTICES AND THE ROLE OF STAKEHOLDERS
Authors: Yang Eunhwa , Hua Ying , Diciccio Thomas
Published: November 2018

The stakeholder network in a building project can influence the process of adopting sustainable building practice. Complexity of construction projects calls for integrated modes of collaboration, while the excess inertia among stakeholders resulted in sluggish adoption of sustainable design and technologies. This study examined buildings that both had and had not adopted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and/or ENERGY STAR in the New York metropolitan area, built, or went through major renovation between 1998 and 2013. Secondary datasets from multiple sources, including a private building database company, US Green Building Council, and the US Environmental Protection Agency, were combined based on building address and used for analysis. Stakeholders involved in those projects were retrospectively identified to understand the diffusion of innovation. The analysis included a total of 205 projects and 273 organizations. Findings suggest that having an architect who had worked on ENERGY STAR project(s) increased the likelihood of adopting ENERGY STAR. However, stakeholders' previous work collaboration was not associated with the adoption of sustainable programs. The method of utilizing multiple secondary datasets was tested to contribute to the methodology of building research by enabling the accumulation of knowledge.
Effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Neuromuscular Stimulation on Myopathy in Intensive Care Patients
Authors: Koutsioumpa Evangelia , Makris Demosthenes , Theochari Athina , Bagka Dimitra , Stathakis Stathis , Manoulakas Efstratios , Sgantzos Markos , Zakynthinos Epaminondas
Published: November 2018

Background

Critical illness polyneuropathy or myopathy is a severe disorder that may adversely affect patients in the intensive care unit, resulting in reduced mobilization, decline in muscle mass, and prolonged recovery periods.

Objective

To examine whether the application of trans-cutaneous electrical neuromuscular stimulation (TENMS) reduces the incidence or severity of myopathy related to critical illness in intensive care unit patients.

Methods

A total of 80 patients aged 18 years or older with an intensive care unit stay of 96 hours or more and receipt of mechanical ventilation for 96 hours or more were initially enrolled in a prospective, open-label randomized controlled trial in a university hospital. Patients received either conventional physical therapy alone (control group) or conventional physical therapy plus TENMS (TENMS group) for 10 days. Myopathy was assessed histologically (by needle biopsy of the quadriceps muscles) on the 4th and 14th days of the intensive care unit stay.

Results

Of the 68 patients who completed the study, 27 (40%) had myopathy on the 14th day: 11 patients in the TENMS group (9 mild, 1 moderate, and 1 severe) and 16 patients in the control group (13 mild, 2 moderate, and 1 severe). Patients who progressed from mild to moderate or severe myopathy between the 4th and 14th days had significantly lower body mass index (P = .001) and longer time periods with inadequate nutrition (P = .049) compared with the other patients. Mean (SD) Rankin scale scores at 6 months were 3.2 (1.8) and 3.8 (2.1) in the TENMS and control groups, respectively (P = .09).

Conclusion

TENMS had no significant impact on myopathy in the critically ill patients in this study.
Score for Predicting Ventilator Weaning Duration in Patients With Tracheostomies
Authors: Greenberg Jared A. , Balk Robert A. , Shah Raj C.
Published: November 2018

Background

Factors affecting the timing of ventilator liberation among patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (≥21 consecutive days) are poorly understood. After tracheostomy placement, ventilator liberation typically involves daily reductions in ventilator support as patients regain the capacity to breathe independently.

Objectives

To determine the association between ventilator requirements on the day after tracheostomy placement and subsequent weaning duration.

Methods

Retrospective review of medical records of adults with tracheostomies treated at an academic medical center from 2011 to 2015. A new ventilator independence score based on ventilator settings on the day after tracheostomy was developed. Scores range from 0% to 100%; higher scores reflect greater levels of unassisted breathing for a greater proportion of the day. A multi-variable competing-risk survival regression model was used to determine the association between the ventilator independence score and time from tracheostomy placement to ventilator liberation.

Results

Of 372 patients, 72% were liberated from mechanical ventilation. The ventilator independence score measured on the day after tracheostomy placement had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.71 (95% CI, 0.65–0.76) for differentiating patients who were liberated within the next 14 days from those who were not. Median time from tracheostomy placement to ventilator liberation was 41 days for patients with a score of 0%, 20 days for scores between 0% and 50%, 15 days for scores between 50% and 75%, and 10 days for scores between 75% and 100%.

Conclusions

A score derived from ventilator settings may help clinicians predict the timing of ventilator liberation in patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation.