bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Catalysis, molecular weight change, and fossil fuels
Authors: Ternan M
Published: July 2017

Hydrocracking and gasification are processes which decrease the molecular weight of fossil fuel feedstocks. The conversion of natural gas to hydrocarbon liquids involves an increase in molecular weight. The reaction sites of the catalysts used to accomplish these
molecular weight changes are described. Since changes in the valence electrons are responsible for the cleavage and formation of the chemical bonds in hydrocarbon molecules, the solid catalyst has also been described in terms of its electronic characteristics. The description of a catalyst in these
terms is able to provide a qualitative explanation for its function in molecular weight change reactions. Changes in conversion caused by variations in catalyst composition are also explained.
Comparison of CaO, ZnO and Fe2O3 as H2S adsorbents at high temperatures
Authors: Yumura M , Furimsky E
Published: July 2017

CaO, ZnO and Fe 2O3 oxides were compared as solid adsorbents for H 2 8 removal from hot gas. Increasing the temperature from 600 0 to 600°C increased the H2S removal in the presence of CaO but decreased it in the presence of Fe20 3 . For ZnO, the temperature
change had little effect on its adsorption. The bulk adsorption capacity was the largest for Fe 203 followed by CaO and ZnO. When the results were normalized to a unit of surface area, the adsorption capacity for ZnO was the largest followed by Fe203 and CaO. The adsorption of H 2S was accompanied
by its decomposition. In the early stages, decomposition was the most extensive in the presence of CaO. With time on stream the difference in H2S decomposition, measured by H2 yields, became smaller.
Combustion trials of coal-water mixture fuel in two small utility boilers in eastern Canada
Authors: Whaley H , Read P J
Published: July 2017

Interest in coal-liquid mixtures as potential oil replacement fuels has been continuing in Canada since the early seventies. The initial motives for this interest were the rapidly rising cost of oil coupled with an insecurity of supply. The possibility of the
recurrence of extreme energy price and supply fluctuations is the reason for continued efforts in the development of coal-liquid mixtures and in particular coal-water mixtures for utility boiler applications. A brief description is given of an earlier program undertaken at Chatham, New Brunswick, in
which coal-oil mixtures were used in a small utility boiler. This program showed that burner and equipment wear was a significant impediment to coal-oil mixture utilization and led to the inclusion of coal cleaning, in the preparation process, as a means of reducing the sulphur and abrasive ash
content of the coal. Under a cooperative agreement between Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission and the Cape Breton Development Corporation, a 7 t/h preparation facility has been built to produce a coal-water mixture fuel for testing in two small utility
boilers located at Chatham, N.B. An update is given of the status of this program as well as plans for the future program in Eastern Canada.
Highlights of applied combustion research activities in the western world
Authors: Lee G K
Published: July 2017

Energy forecasts indicate that the worldwide demand for thermal coal will expand significantly over the next 15 years and that most of this demand will be required to fuel dry pulverized-fired systems. Major coal development and demonstration programs are in
progress to improve the energy conversion efficiency and to reduce the environmental impact of coal burning. Programs of priority interest in the western world include slagging combustion, advanced fluidized-bed designs and coal/liquid mixture technology. Basic research in support of these programs
is centered around coal reactivity, ash fouling and slagging mechanisms, non-invasive flame probing and furnace modelling concepts.
An investigation of coal using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS)
Authors: MacPhee J A , Martin R R , McIntyre N S
Published: July 2017

Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) has been used to examine the organic and inorganic content (gf a variety of coal macerals of differing rank. Oxidation studies using an 1 0 enriched atmosphere have been used to identify the areas of primary oxygen uptake
during oxidation. Ion imaging clearly reveals elemental associations in the mineral matter in coal as in the various coal macerals.
The CANMET coal hydropyrolysis project
Authors: Last A J , Peczeli C F , Sears P L
Published: July 2017

Pyrolysis and hydropyrolysis are relatively simple methods whereby liquid hydrocarbons may be produced from coal. In order to study these processes on a 1 kg/h scale. CANMET has had constructed a flash hydropyrolysis unit at Ontario Research Foundation.
Mississauga. The equipment has been used in a short preliminary series of experiments on the hydropyrolysis of Forestburg subbituminous coal. Results from these experiments are ,discussed, along with plans for future use of the unit.
Coal gasification study at CANMET's energy research laboratories
Authors: Fung D P C
Published: July 2017

This report summarizes the research on coal gasification at the Energy Research Laboratories from 1978 to 1983. The chemical reactivity of 21 Canadian coals was compared in a laboratory fixed-bed gasifier. It was found that chemical reactivity increases with
decreased carbon content (from 68 to 80 wt %) or rank of the coal. This range includes bituminous, subbituminous and lignite coals from five provinces. Above 80 wt %, the chemical reactivity levels off to 0.76 g/h/g. Similarly, the chemical reactivity also increases with the N2 surface area
of the coal at 0.85 m2 /g. The reactivity decreases significantly below this surface area. Both oxygen and steam play an important role in coal gasification reaction. Oxygen speeds up the gasification reaction. Steam promotes the production of hydrogen according to the carbon-steam reaction. The
validity of the shrinking core model is verified with the carbon conversion data. It was found that coal gasification is a first order reaction. Wood gasification is a second order reaction.
Hydrotreating coal-derived naphtha
Authors: Fairbridge C , Farnand B
Published: July 2017

A coal-derived naphtha was hydrotreated at a range of severities in a bench-scale reactor using a commercial Co-Mo/Al203 catalyst. Total sulphur and nitrogen contents were monitored as were the phenolic components. The phenolics represented most of the oxygen
contribution. Very severe operating conditions were required for removal of these hetercatoms. The relative rate of hetercatom removal at 10.45 Mica and space velocity less than 1.25 x 10-3 g feed per gram catalyst second was found to be: oxygen > sulphur > nitrogen Where only
phenolic oxygen was measured. The rate of removal of the phenolic compounds decreased in the order: phenol > m-cresol > p-cresol > 0-cresol > dimethyl- and 0-ethyl-phenols at the same conditions. The total molar content of phenol, benzene and cyclohexane
were found to be constant although the relative concentrations varied with operating conditions.
Improving the performance of fluidized bed boilers at Canadian forces base Summerside
Authors: Razbin V V , Friedrich F D
Published: July 2017

Canada's first coal-fired fluidized bed boilers were installed in 1982 at the heating plant for Canadian Forces Base Summerside in the Atlantic province of Prince Edward Island as a demonstration project jointly funded by Defence Canada and Energy, Mines and
Resources Canada. Foster Wheeler Ltd. of St. Catharines, Ontario was the prime contractor with responsibility for supplying a turnkey heating plant including two boilers rated at 18 tph (40 000 lb/h) of steam each. The boilers subsequently met all contractual requirements pertaining to capacity,
efficiency and emissions, but some problems emerged with respect to boiler tube erosion and other aspects of boiler operability. The paper describes four areas of difficulty and how they are being resolved. Evidence of boiler tube erosion appeared after only a few hundred hours of service and
despite various preventative measures, resulted in a tube failure after 5600 h of operation. Subsequently studs were applied to the vertical membrane wall surfaces, and rods were welded longitudinally to the in-bed tubes. Since then, 4500 h of operation have been achieved, with no evidence of
further tube wastage. A complex system for fly ash reinjection required an unacceptable level of maintenance, and in one instance failure of a minor component led indirectly to destruction of an induced draft fan. A much simpler, maintenance-free system was developed, based on the L-valve commonly
used in circulating fluidized bed combustors. An inter-bed transfer gate, installed to permit one bed to be ignited from the adjacent one, was often inoperative due to warping. It was found that the same function could be achieved with a smaller, permanent opening. The capability of the boilers to
fluidize cold material was limited, which led to difficulties in startup and frequent failure of the bed thermocouples. These problems were resolved by increasing the number of bubble caps in the distributor plate, and modifying the design of the thermocouple wells. The Summerside boilers are now
considered to be reliable and acceptable in all major respects. It is concluded that there are no insurmountable barriers to bubbling bed fluidized bed combustion becoming a mature, dependable technology.
Gasification reactivity of Canadian anthracite and semi -anthracite chars
Authors: Fung D P C , Fairbridge C , Anderson R
Published: July 2017

This paper presents the gasification reactivity in air of both the untreated and demineralized chars derived from Canmore (semi-anthracite) and Mt. Klappan (anthracite) coals using a thermogravimetric analysis technique. The effects of mineral content, particle
size, and surface area on the reactivity of these chars were investigated. It was found that the gasification reactivity of the char decreased with increased particle size and decreased mineral content. The surface sub-fractal dimension, D, was determined from logarithmic plots of gasification
reactivity against particle size. This parameter is a measure of the surface irregularity as experienced by species reacting at or with a surface and 2 < 13 < 3. The values determined for D were 2.78 and 2.40 for Canmore and Mt. Klappan chars respectively. The specific surface
area measured by carbon dioxide adsorption at 298 K did not correlate with reactivity or particle size data whereas the results from mercury porosimetry indicated possible correlations.
Measurement of density and expansion coefficient of light Arabian vacuum bottoms at high temperatures and pressures
Authors: Liu D D S , Patmore D J , Yuyitung T S , Lipsett J J , Chapman K
Published: July 2017

Expandable vessels were designed to measure the density and thermal expansion coefficients of liquid at elevated temperatures and pressures by the gamma-ray attenuation method. Light Arabian vacuum bottoms was tested from 70°C to 300°C at 13.8 MPa.
Results agree well with literature data.
Comparative combustion properties of raw and washed Minto coals
Authors: Banks G N , Wong J K L , Whaley H
Published: July 2017

The combustion performance of raw Minto coal (run of mine) and three levels of cleaned (washed) Minto coal was compared with that of a commercially available thermal bituminous coal from Western Canada. Tests were conducted in a pilot-scale pulverized coal-fired
research boiler located at the Energy Research Laboratories (ERL) in Ottawa. The three cleaned coal samples were obtained from the CANMET Coal Research Laboratories coal cleaning facility in Devon, Alberta. Chemical, physical, petrographic and thermogravimetric analyses were performed on samples of
the coals as they were received in Ottawa. Each of the coals flowed readily through ERL pilot-scale conveying and coal-handling system. The coals, which ground readily to produce a consistent size product from the pulverizer, ignited easily to produce stable flames at greater than 97% combustion
efficiency. The highest combustion efficiencies (>99%) were obtained with the more finely ground coal feeds. The washed minto coal, containing the highest ash content, gave the lowest combustible content in the fly ash and the highest combustion efficiency. The ash from each of the
Minto coal samples was quite fluid and slagged readily in the refractory-lined furnace bottom, whereas the ash deposits on the water-walls and superheater surfaces were light and powdery and did not constitute a fouling problem. At a 29% reduction (highest) in the ash content of the Minto raw
coal the sulphur content was reduced from 6.88 to 5.31%. This washed coal sample burned in the pilot-scale utility boiler to produce a flue gas containing 2.9 g S02/MJ of fuel input, compared with 4.2 g S02/MJ for the raw coal. If the relationship between the per cent ash and sulphur contents
removal is sustained, it is estimated that a 90% reduction in the ash content would result in a 72% reduction in the sulphur content. The resulting coal product, assuming no detrimental changes, should then burn to produce a flue gas containing about 1.3 g S02/MJ of fuel
input.
Properties and disposal characteristics of solid wastes from circulating fluidized bed combustion of high sulphur coal
Authors: Anthony E J , Doiron C C , Kissel R K , Ross G G
Published: July 2017

Wastes from circulating fluidized bed combustors (CFBC) are quite unlike those discharged from conventional pulverized fuel (PF) furnaces. They consist of a heterogeneous mixture of CaO, CaSO4, fly ash and some unreacted CaCO3. Consequently they have quite
different properties and handling problems from those of the glassy silicates produced by PF combustors. This report describes a number of research programs supported by Energy, Mines and Resources Canada, Environment Canada and the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission to characterize these
wastes, develop safe disposal procedures and investigate potential uses. In order to accomplish these objectives wastes from a number of pilot scale CFBC units and a 22 MWe demonstration unit have been examined from the point of view of sulphides formation, disposal and utilization. A peripheral
issue that has been addressed is whether pilot scale units can be used to predict the behaviour of full scale units.
Test Procedures for Automotive Structural Composite Materials
Authors:   Plastics Committee
Published: July 2017

This SAE Standard is intended to serve as a guide for the collection of physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of fiber-reinforced polymer composite materials for automotive structural applications. This document attempts to utilize test methods applicable to the widest range of structural materials and processes without compromising the integrity of the data being sought. A summary of the material characterization is shown in Section 15.
Modelo compatible altura dominante - índice de sitio para mezquite(Prosopis laevigata Humb. et Bonpl. ex Willd) del semidesierto de Durango
Authors: Galindo-Soto José E. , Vargas-Larreta Benedicto , Hernández Francisco J. , Cruz-Cobos Francisco
Published: July 2017

El objetivo de este trabajo fuedesarrollar una ecuación de crecimiento (altura) dominante (de índice de sitio) para mezquite (Prosopis laevigata Humb. et Bonpl. ex Willd), una de las especies características de las zonas áridas y semiáridas del norte de México, para la cual existe poca información sobre su crecimiento e incremento. Para ello se utilizó una base de datos de 40 análisis troncales de árboles medidos durante las actividades de aprovechamiento en el semidesierto de Durango. Para modelar el crecimiento dominante se ajustaron los modelos de Chapman-Richards y Schumacher mediante Diferencias Algebraicas (ADA), así como los modelos de Korf, Hossfeld y Chapman-Richards a través de Diferencias Algebraicas Generalizadas (GADA). Para corregir el problema de autocorrelación de los errores, la estructura del error fue modelada con una función de auto-regresión de primer orden (CAR(1)). Los modelos estimados con GADA presentaron mejores ajustes que aquellos estimados con ADA y describieron mejor el crecimiento dominante del mezquite. El análisis gráfico permitió corroborar lo anterior, así como concluir que el modelo de Chapman-Richards estimado mediante GADA es el mejor para desarrollar ecuaciones de índice de sitio para esta especie en el semidesierto de Durango.
Características de planta y productividad de sorgo con dosis de micorriza arbuscular en Tamaulipas
Authors: Díaz-Franco Arturo , Alejandro-Allende Florencia , Ortiz-Cháirez Flor Elena
Published: July 2017

La inoculación de la semilla de sorgo con el HMA Rhizophagus intraradices (micorriza INIFAP) tiene un impacto positivo en la productividad agrícola en las condiciones áridas y semiáridas del estado de Tamaulipas. Las dosis utilizadas por el productor son heterogéneas, lo que puede traer consigo una práctica ineficiente. El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar la efectividad y rentabilidad de la producción de sorgo inoculado a diferentes dosis de micorriza INIFAP, comparado con el testigo o el del productor. Tres parcelas experimentales de sorgo (1-2 ha) se establecieron en terrenos de productores de diferentes localidades. La semilla utilizada (7-8 kg∙ha-1) se inoculó con micorriza INIFAP a dosis de 250, 500 y 750 g·ha-1.Las variables índice de clorofila (SPAD), biomasas foliar y radical, longitud de la panoja, rendimiento y costo-beneficio fueron estimadas. Los valores de las variables de planta, rendimiento y rentabilidad de sorgo fueron mayores cuando se inocularon las semillas de sorgo que en los casos testigo. Los resultados indican que la inoculación con micorriza INIFAP en dosis de 500 g∙ha-1 conlleva a maximizar el rendimiento de grano de sorgo y la relación costo-beneficio.
Uso de abono orgánico y micorriza arbuscular en la producción de repollo
Authors: Díaz-Franco Arturo , Alvarado-Carrillo Manuel , Alejandro-Allende Florencia , Ortiz-Chairez Flor Elena
Published: July 2017

La utilización de bioinoculantes e insumos naturales es una alternativa viable en la producción de cultivos. El propósito del estudio consistió en comparar el 100 % de fertilización convencional (100N-40P-00K, testigo) con el efecto de gallinaza, la inoculación del hongo micorrícico arbuscular (HMA) Rhizophagus intraradices (micorriza INIFAP) y 50 % de fertilización química, independientes o en combinación sobre variables de planta, macollo y rendimiento de repollo (Brassica oleracea var capitata, cv. ‘Copenhagen Market’). En semillero se comparó la emergencia de plántulas crecidas en sustrato con y sin HMA. En campo se evaluó clorofila, diámetro de planta, diámetro y peso de macollo y rendimiento. Además, el beneficio-costo (b/c) fue estimado para cada tratamiento. La inoculación micorrícica incrementó significativamente en 19 % la emergencia de plántulas en comparación con las no inoculadas. El crecimiento y rendimiento mostraron diferencias no significativas entre los tratamientos. Los resultados indicaron la factibilidad de restringir 50 % o sustituir la fertilización sintética convencional mediante el uso de gallinaza y micorriza arbuscular en la producción de repollo. El tratamiento más rentable (b/c= 4.7) fue el de inoculación micorrícica en almácigo y la adición del 50 % de la fertilización química (50N-20P-00K).
Ground-based characterization of aerosol spectral optical properties of haze and Asian dust episodes under Asian continental outflow during winter 2014
Authors: Jung Jinsang , Yu JeongAh , Lyu Youngsook , Lee Minhee , Hwang Taekyung , Lee Sangil
Published: July 2017

Abstract. Long-range transported (LRT) haze can affect the regional radiation budget and the air quality in areas downwind of the Asian continental outflow. Because in situ observations of spectral aerosol optical properties of the LRT haze are rare, an intensive characterization of aerosol optical properties is needed. This study characterized the spectral optical properties of the LRT haze and Asian dust originating from the Asian continent. Integrated chemical and optical measurements of aerosol particles were carried out in a downwind area of the Asian continental outflow (Daejeon, South Korea) during winter 2014. High concentrations of PM10 (particulate matter with a diameter  ≤  10 µm) and light scattering coefficients at 550 nm, σs, 550, were observed during a long-range transport (LRT) haze episode (PM10 =  163.9 ± 25.0 µg m−3; σs, 550 =  503.4 ± 60.5 Mm−1) and Asian dust episode (PM10 =  211.3 ± 57.5 µg m−3; σs, 550 =  560.9 ± 151 Mm−1). During the LRT haze episode, no significant change in the relative contribution of PM2. 5 (particulate matter with a diameter  ≤  2.5 µm) chemical components was observed as particles accumulated under stagnant atmospheric conditions (13–17 January 2014), suggesting that the increase in PM2. 5 mass concentration was caused mainly by the accumulation of LRT pollutants. On the other hand, a gradual decrease in Ångström exponent (Å) and a gradual increase in single scattering albedo (ω) and mass scattering efficiency (MSE) were observed during the stagnant period, possibly due to an increase in particle size. These results imply that a change in particle size rather than chemical composition during the stagnant period is the dominant factor affecting the aerosol optical properties. During the Asian dust episode, a low PM2. 5 ∕ PM10 ratio and Å(450∕700) were observed with average values of 0.59 ± 0.06 and 1.08 ± 0.14, respectively, which were higher than those during the LRT haze episode (0.75 ± 0.06 and 1.39 ± 0.05, respectively), indicating that PM2. 5 ∕ PM10 mass ratios and Å(450∕700) can be used as tracers to distinguish aged LRT haze and Asian dust under the Asian continental outflow.
The Book Advice Column as Evidence of Reception
Authors: Blair Amy L.
Published: July 2017

This article considers the extent to which reading advice columns and fan mail can be considered evidence of reception by looking Emily Newell Blair's columns in Good Housekeeping magazine in the 1920s and 1930s. It suggests that while Blair's columns end up telling us more about the relative range of possible receptions than about any individual moments of reception, they are evidence of a popular embrace of ecumenical middlebrow aesthetics.
Efectos de políticas públicas "no climáticas" en la capacidad adaptativa de la pequeña agricultura al cambio climático
Authors: Besoain Rocío
Published: July 2017

El presente trabajo se centra en el análisis de los efectos que tiene el programa de fomento productivo PRODESAL sobre la capacidad de adaptación de la pequeña agricultura en la Región Metropolitana. En una primera etapa se desarrolló un marco para analizar la capacidad de adaptación de la pequeña agricultura. Dicho marco, desarrollado en base a una metodología de carácter inductivo, fue utilizado en una segunda etapa para evaluar el programa desde su capacidad para promover o limitar aquellos factores que determinan la capacidad de adaptación de los pequeños agricultores. Lo anterior fue realizado en base a información levantada en terreno mediante entrevistas semi-estructuradas a profesionales del programa PRODESAL. De esta forma, fue posible observar que el programa PRODESAL promueve la capacidad de adaptación al cambio climático de los pequeños agricultores al potenciar gran parte de los factores de carácter socio-económico que son determinantes en el proceso adaptativo. Sin embargo, se encontraron grandes falencias en la promoción de aquellos de carácter psicológico/cognitivos.
Análisis de la situación de la futura región del Ñuble en materia de cohesión territorial
Authors: Candia Rodrigo
Published: July 2017

Después de un largo proceso, el proyecto de crear la región del Ñuble (en Chile) parece estar muy cerca de materializarse. Entre sus justificaciones está la situación de rezago relativo que presenta en relación al resto de la región del Biobío, lo que está ligado al concepto de cohesión territorial, definido como una condición que permite que los territorios expresen su potencial de desarrollo y ninguno de ellos queda persistentemente marginado. A partir de lo expuesto, se planteó la hipótesis de que la futura región presenta una situación de rezago ligada al concepto señalado, por lo que uno de los principales desafíos que tendrá será precisamente abordar esta condición. Del análisis realizado se pudo concluir que la zona en análisis efectivamente presenta una situación de rezago respecto a la mayoría de las regiones del país, no obstante existen condiciones favorables y oportunidades a partir del proyecto para abordarla.
Inercia presupuestal y padecimientos crónico-degenerativos en México: una peligrosa combinación
Authors: Tapia Gabriela , Hernández Jaime
Published: July 2017

La investigación aborda desde una perspectiva de política pública el tema del presupuesto por programas en materia de salud pública federal en México en el periodo 2010-2015. Específicamente, analiza el Presupuesto de Egresos de la Federación (PEF) y los Ramos y programas cuyo objetivo es velar por la salud: Ramo 12, Secretaría de Salud; Ramo 50, IMSS; y Ramo 51, ISSSTE. El argumento del artículo es que el diseño presupuestal de la política de salud en México no responde, por lo menos presupuestalmente, a las necesidades epidemiológicas más apremiantes de los mexicanos: --la prevención de enfermedades crónico-degenerativas-, sino a una asignación inercial, que al no tomar en cuenta estas prioridades y sus proyecciones demográficas vinculadas, pone en riesgo el sostenimiento del sistema de salud a futuro. La investigación tiene dos bases metodológicas: la primera, la identificación de la inercia de los presupuestos del sector salud. Lo anterior vía la comparación de los presupuestos de los Ramos que componen el PEF entre 2010 y 2015 (40 Ramos) y los Ramos destinados específicamente al sector salud (3 Ramos). La segunda, el análisis de política pública como proceso de solución de problemas e hipótesis causal (Aguilar, 2010: 32). El objeto de esta segunda aproximación es observar la relación causal entre la prevención de los principales problemas epidemiológicos en México y la distribución del presupuesto vía los temas de los programas aprobados en el PEF entre 2010 y 2015 en los Ramos del sector salud.
Importancia del sector industrial en el desarrollo económico: Una revisión al estado del arte
Authors: Palomino Medardo
Published: July 2017

El presente artículo busca promover el conocimiento y abrir el debate sobre la pertinencia de la política industrial y la implementación de políticas públicas que tienen el objetivo de dinamizar el crecimiento industrial que conduzca a la economía a un cambio de su estructura productiva y a mayores tasas de crecimiento de largo plazo. Para esto, desde una visión estructuralista y argumentación histórica se ha elaborado un estado del arte que expone la importancia de la industria y de las políticas industriales para el desarrollo de los países. De la revisión de la literatura se puede concluir que el sector industrial manufacturero tiene cualidades importantes para la diversificación productiva y el crecimiento económico de los países, y por lo tanto, debe ser pieza fundamental en la agenda de los gobiernos que buscan promover el desarrollo económico.
Modern English Drama and the Students’ Fluency and Accuracy of Speaking
Authors: Pishkar Kian , Moinzadeh Ahmad , Dabaghi Azizallah
Published: July 2017

Speaking a language involves more than simply knowing the linguistic components of the message, and developing language skills requires more than grammatical comprehension and vocabulary memorization. In teaching-learning processes, drama method may have some positive effects on ELL students’ speaking fluency and accuracy. This study attempts to probe one of the main concerns of language learners, that is, how to improve their speaking components, e.g. oral fluency and accuracy. To attain this aim, the researchers investigated the effect of two selected texts from modern English dramas on students’ speaking fluency and accuracy. They distinguished fluent from non-fluent and accurate from no accurate learners. Therefore, the current study was designed as a true experimental research and the data were gathered from 60 EFL students, whose ages are between 19-25 (80 percent girls and 20 percent boys),of English language and literature at Hormozgan University in Iran. The data were the recorded speaking transcripts which were analyzed to show the probable progresses after four-time (10 weeks) treatment. The factors to be considered in present study were the numbers of filled and unfilled pauses in each narration, the total number of words per minute, mean length of utterance, and number of stressed words. The results were compared and their temporal and linguistic measures were correlated with their fluency scores. They revealed that the speech rate, the mean length of utterance, phonation time ratio and the number of stressed words produced per minute were the best predictors of fluency scores, and thus, students’ speaking fluency increased, whereas the students’ speaking accuracy decreased in some areas of speaking abilities and oral communications.
Digital portfolio og peer to peer feedback - skaber transfer og engagerede studerende
Authors: Jacobsen Ditte , Bahrenscheer Jesper Glarborg
Published: July 2017

På Bioanalytikeruddannelsen på Professionshøjskolen Metropol har vi på ti-ugers modulet ”Molekylærbiologiske og genetiske analyser”, udviklet en digital portfolio som didaktisk redskab. Portfolien er blevet afprøvet på fire forløb, og har været med til at skabe større engagement blandt de studerende og øget transfer mellem teori og praksis. Artiklen tager afsæt i erfaringerne fra udvikling, anvendelse og evaluering af den digitale portfolio og peer to peer feedback.

Portfolien er digital og tilknyttet Metropols Learning Management System. De studerende uploader individuelt ugentligt deres arbejde tilknyttet ugens fokusområde. En gang om ugen giver de studerende hinanden peerfeedback på ugens arbejde.

Anvendelsen af portfolien har øget de studerendes kompetencer til at give og anvende peerfeedback. De studerende angiver, at de opnår en høj grad af læring i forbindelse med arbejdet med portfolien, bl.a. fordi de oplever, at det forpligter, at de skal dele portfolien og feedbacken med en medstuderende. Desuden oplever vi som undervisere, at de studerendes faglige niveau er blevet væsentligt forøget blandt de studerende, der aktivt har benyttet portfolien i samspil med feedback.
Bag massemedieproduktionen – Forhandlinger om vidensformer og ekspertise
Authors: Plesner Ursula
Published: July 2017

Studier af forskningskommunikation i massemedierne er i høj grad præget af en forskelstænkning, som konstruerer forskere som langsomme og abstrakte, journalister som hurtige og overfladiske, og italesætter medierne og universitetet som styret af helt forskellige logikker. Forskere fremstilles som leverandører af viden og journalister som oversættere.Denne artikel argumenterer for, at Aktør-Netværk-Teori kan bidrage til at belyse andre aspekter af massemediering af forskning, herunder det ustabile ved viden, det ustabile ved positioner, samt forskeres egne oversættelser af deres viden. Artiklen argumenterer for, at vi ikke blot interesserer os for medieprodukter, men også for de relationer der etableres og de forhandlinger der finder sted omkring massemediering af forskning.
Brug af podcasts i undervisningen - muligheder og begrænsninger
Authors: Mathiasen Helle
Published: July 2017

Med udgangspunkt i et konkret undervisningsforløb, hvor podcast, har været en del af det samlede undervisningsmateriale, redegøres først for forløbets samlede rammesætning og derefter redegøres for artiklens empiriske afsæt. Pod er et akronym for programmes-on-demand og cast henviser til begrebet broadcast. I nærværende artikel defineres podcast som et medie, der er præsenteret ved lyd og/eller video, og et medie der kan tilgås, når det ønskes, ifald bruger har mulighed for at bruge fx en computer, ipod eller en mp3. Den empiriske undersøgelse inkluderer, udover brugen af podcasts, lurking i konferencesystem og de studerendes weblogs, observationer af undervisning, interview med studerende samt interview med semesterkursets tilrettelægger og underviser.Ud fra en kommunikations- og læringsteoretisk ramme udfoldes podcastmediets potentialer og begrænsninger og artiklen afsluttes med en invitation til fortsat diskussion af podcastmediet fremtid i uddannelsessystemet.Video til artiklen kan tilgås under linket 'Supplerende filer' i højre side.
I did it - Om ph.d.- og efteruddannelseskurset, ”Applied Statistics for Researchers and Developers”, afholdt som interaktiv e-læring
Authors: Skovgaard Ib , Markussen Bo , Thorsen Marianne , Carlsen Ditte
Published: July 2017

Med ordene ”I did it” indleder deltageren fra Sudan et indlæg i gruppens diskussionstråd, da det en lille uge inde i kurset lykkes ham at få knækket et teknisk problem. Han fortsætter med at takke en anden gruppedeltager for det indlæg, som har fået ham til at se løsningen. Diskussionsindlægget, som er typisk for stemningen i kurset, er udtryk for to ting: at diskussionsindlæg kan fungere i et teknisk fag, og at fornemmelsen af gruppetilhør kan opnås på tværs af landegrænser i en sådan grad, at deltagerne vil dele deres begejstring med resten af gruppen. Artiklen beskriver, hvordan kurset er opbygget med en indledende gruppesocialisering på få dage, med aktiviteter med obligatorisk deltagelse, men uden ”karakter-straf” for fejltagelser, med speakede PowerPoint forelæsninger og med en fleksibel tidsstyring inden for snævre rammer. Vi beretter om gode erfaringer med kurset og forsøger at klarlægge, hvilke pædagogiske elementer og tiltag, der gav de gode resultater i form af gruppediskussioner med frembringelse af faglig viden på højt niveau samt en gennemførselsprocent på ca. 90 i første gennemløb af det krævende kursus. Til sidst i artiklen diskuterer vi spørgsmålet, om det ligefrem kan være en fordel kun at mødes online.
Udfordringer med digital multiple choice quiz (MCQ) som eksamensform på medicin studiet, Health, Aarhus Universitet
Authors: Simonsen Eivind Ortind , Krogh Kristian , Dahl Mads Ronald
Published: July 2017

På Health, Aarhus Universitet, blev der medio 2012 afholdt to eksamener i henholdsvis "Inflammation" og "Abdomen". Det specielle ved disse to var, at dette var første gang det var muligt at tage eksamenen digitalt. I denne artikel vil vi beskrive vores system samt de erfaring vi tilegnede os.
Tema 2: På rejse med Virtual Reality i billedkunst - Erfaringslæring gennem kombineret fysisk og virtuel modelbygning
Authors: Majgaard Gunver , Lyk Patricia
Published: July 2017

Tema. Denne artikel udforsker de læringspotentialer, der opstår ved at kombinere rumlig modellering i fysiske og virtuelle medier i billedkunst i en 5. klasse. Eleverne udformede rumlige modeller i miniformat for derefter at besøge dem i den virtuelle verden i den størrelse, som de havde tænkt sig, de skulle have.Fokus. I artiklen er der særligt fokus på hvordan læringscentrede designprocesser og Virtual Reality tilsammen kan understøtte erfaringslæring.Konklusion. Eleverne fik en større forståelse af teknologi og kreative designprocesser ved at fungere som informanter og designpartnere i designforløbet. Eleverne fik igennem design af de fysiske modeller og besøget i Virtual Reality formidlet to oplevelser af deres modeller, som styrkede grundlaget for erfaringsbaseret læring. Erfaringsbaseret læring kombinerer oplevelse, refleksion, abstraktion og aktiv eksperimenteren i en proces, som transformerer oplevelse til viden.
Proper oral hygiene protocols decreased inflammation of gingivitis in a patient during chemotherapy with bevacizumab: a case report
Authors: Mori Kazuyo , Horinouchi Miho , Domitsu Ayumi , Shimotahira Takako , Soutome Sakiko , Yamaguchi Taihei , Oho Takahiko
Published: July 2017

Key Clinical Message

The case is a woman who had a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer. After surgical therapy, platinum‐based adjuvant treatment was performed, followed by additional bevacizumab administration. Because considerable gingivitis appeared, a proper approach for oral hygiene was performed. As a result, the symptom was reduced considerably.
SHORT TIME FULL ASYMPTOTIC EXPANSION OF HYPOELLIPTIC HEAT KERNEL AT THE CUT LOCUS
Authors: INAHAMA YUZURU , TANIGUCHI SETSUO
Published: July 2017

In this paper we prove a short time asymptotic expansion of a hypoelliptic heat kernel on a Euclidean space and a compact manifold. We study the ‘cut locus’ case, namely, the case where energy-minimizing paths which join the two points under consideration form not a finite set, but a compact manifold. Under mild assumptions we obtain an asymptotic expansion of the heat kernel up to any order. Our approach is probabilistic and the heat kernel is regarded as the density of the law of a hypoelliptic diffusion process, which is realized as a unique solution of the corresponding stochastic differential equation. Our main tools are S. Watanabe’s distributional Malliavin calculus and T. Lyons’ rough path theory.
Telepsychiatry in Asperger’s syndrome
Authors: Clarke C. S.
Published: July 2017

Background

Internet technology offers psychiatrists new opportunities for remote interaction with patients. It also raises issues regarding therapeutic effectiveness, safety, technical problems and possibilities for overcoming them, and matters related to specific mental health problems such as autism. The case presented concerns an adolescent male with severe social impairment and isolation as manifestations of Aspergers syndrome.

Methods

The patient was accepted contact with psychiatric services through telepsychiatry, which enabled initial assessment and the development of a therapeutic relationship.

Results

In due course the patient was able to attend the clinic in person. He became somewhat reconciled to his family. With appropriate adaptations he was able to resume his education and career.

Conclusions

Telepsychiatry shows promise in engaging with patients with autism spectrum disorders. As experience accrues, there is some evidence that it is safe and effective. Adaptations to traditional clinical psychotherapy may be required.
Late Tortonian–Quaternary tectonic evolution of central Sicily: the major role of the strike-slip deformation
Authors: CATALANO STEFANO , PAVANO FRANCESCO , ROMAGNOLI GINO , TORTORICI GIUSEPPE , TORTORICI LUIGI
Published: July 2017

We here propose a new kinematic picture of central Sicily based on the results of detailed field mapping of the region, combined with structural analyses and the interpretation of the available literature subsurface data. Our study focused on the tectonic boundary of a structural depression, the Caltanissetta Trough, which is now filled with allochthonous terrains resting on the deep-seated inverted African palaeomargin units. Our data refer to the tectonosedimentary evolution of the thrust-top basins, from Late Tortonian to Quaternary times. The study points out the occurrence of regional E–W-oriented dextral shear zones, cutting the NE-oriented trends of the thrust belt. This new evidence would confirm the major role of the E–W trend in the tectonic inversion of the external portions of the Africa palaeomargin in Sicily. Our results could contribute to a better understanding of the location in Sicily of the tectonic lineaments accommodating the hundreds of kilometres of lateral displacement, caused by the Late Miocene–Quaternary Tyrrhenian Basin opening to the north of the island.
An assessment of Irish farmers’ knowledge of the risk of spread of infection from animals to humans and their transmission prevention practices
Authors: MAHON M. M. , SHEEHAN M. C. , KELLEHER P. F. , JOHNSON A. J. , DOYLE S. M.
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study was to ascertain farmers’ knowledge of the risk of spread of infection from animals to humans, and their transmission prevention practices. This was a survey of farmers who submitted material to Ireland's Regional Veterinary Laboratories in 2015. There was an 84% response rate (1044 farmers). Ninety per cent of farmers were not aware that infection can be acquired from apparently healthy animals. Over half were not aware that disease could be contracted from sick poultry or pets. Conversely, the knowledge of the risk to pregnant women of infection from birthing animals was high (88%). Four-fifths of farmers sourced drinking water from a private well, and of these, 62% tested their water less frequently than once a year. Of dairy farmers, 39% drank unpasteurised milk once a week or more frequently. Veterinarians were the most commonly cited information source for diseases on farms. The survey findings indicate that the level of farmers’ knowledge and awareness of the spread of infection from animals to humans is a concern. Further education of the farming community is needed to increase awareness of both the potential biohazards present on farms and the practical measures that can be taken to mitigate the risk of zoonoses.
Corporate political activity of the dairy industry in France: an analysis of publicly available information
Authors: Mialon Melissa , Mialon Jonathan
Published: July 2017

Objective

In the present study, we used a structured approach based on publicly available information to identify the corporate political activity (CPA) strategies of three major actors in the dairy industry in France.

Design

We collected publicly available information from the industry, government and other sources over a 6-month period, from March to August 2015. Data collection and analysis were informed by an existing framework for classifying the CPA of the food industry.

Setting/Subjects

Our study included three major actors in the dairy industry in France: Danone, Lactalis and the Centre National Interprofessionnel de l’Economie Laitière (CNIEL), a trade association.

Results

During the period of data collection, the dairy industry employed CPA practices on numerous occasions by using three strategies: the ‘information and messaging’, the ‘constituency building’ and the ‘policy substitution’ strategies. The most common practice was the shaping of evidence in ways that suited the industry. The industry also sought involvement in the community, establishing relationships with public health professionals, academics and the government.

Conclusions

Our study shows that the dairy industry used several CPA practices, even during periods when there was no specific policy debate on the role of dairy products in dietary guidelines. The information provided here could inform public health advocates and policy makers and help them ensure that commercial interests of industry do not impede public health policies and programmes.
Inhibitory effect of uranyl nitrate on DNA double-strand break repair by depression of a set of proteins in the homologous recombination pathway
Authors: Jin Feng , Ma Teng , Guan Hua , Yang Zhi-Hua , Liu Xiao-Dan , Wang Yu , Jiang Yi-Guo , Zhou Ping-Kun
Published: July 2017

Occupational and environmental exposure to uranium has been confirmed to cause tissue injury and carcinogenesis.
Spatial ecology of yellow-spotted goannas adjacent to a sea turtle nesting beach
Authors: Lei Juan , Booth David T. , Dwyer Ross G.
Published: July 2017

Nest predation is the main cause of hatch failure for many turtle populations. For loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) nesting at the Wreck Rock rookery, adjacent to Deepwater National Park in south-east Queensland, yellow-spotted goannas (Varanus panoptes) are the main nest predator. However, no studies have documented the space use of goannas in costal habitat adjacent to a sea turtle nesting beach. Here we used Global Positioning System data loggers to evaluate the spatial ecology of adult yellow-spotted goannas in order to discover their potential interaction with sea turtle nests. Male yellow-spotted goannas had larger home ranges, spent a greater proportion of their time in the beach dune area where sea turtles nest, and their home ranges overlapped with more sea turtle nests compared with females. Both males and females had a bimodal activity pattern, with peaks in activity in the early morning and mid to late afternoon. Examination of space-use patterns indicates that it is the larger male yellow-spotted goannas that are the main predators of sea turtle nests at the Wreck Rock beach-nesting aggregation. Hence, by inference, it is probable that large male yellow-spotted goannas are responsible for opening nests at other Australian mainland sea turtle beaches, and if a goanna-specific management strategy is implemented to control predation it is these large males that should be targeted.
A shower before bedtime may improve the sleep onset latency of youth soccer players
Authors: Whitworth‐Turner Craig , Di Michele Rocco , Muir Ian , Gregson Warren , Drust Barry
Published: July 2017

During the competitive season, soccer players are likely exposed to numerous factors that may disrupt the process of sleep. The current investigation looked to evaluate a practical sleep hygiene strategy (10‐min showering at ∼40°C before lights out), within a group of 11 youth soccer players in comparison to normal sleeping conditions (control). Each condition consisted of three days within a randomised crossover trial design. Sleep information was collected using a commercial wireless bedside sleep monitor. Measures of skin temperature were evaluated using iButton skin thermistors to establish both distal and proximal skin temperatures and distal to proximal gradient. The shower intervention elevated distal skin temperature by 1.1°C (95% CI: 0.1–2.1°C, p = .04) on average prior to lights out. The elevation in distal temperature was also present during the first 30‐min following lights out (1.0°C, 95% CI: 0.4–1.6°C, p < .01). The distal to proximal gradient also showed a significant effect between the conditions within the first 30‐min after lights out (0.7°C, 95% CI: 0.3–1.2°C, p < .01). On average the sleep latency of the youth soccer players was −7‐min lower (95% CI: −13 to −2 min, p < .01) and sleep efficiency +2% higher (95% CI: 1–3%; p < .01) in the shower condition. These findings demonstrate that a warm shower performed before lights out may offer a practical strategy to promote thermoregulatory changes that may advance sleep onset latency and improve sleep efficiency in athletes.
CircPro: an integrated tool for the identification of circRNAs with protein-coding potential
Authors: Meng Xianwen , Chen Qi , Zhang Peijing , Chen Ming
Published: July 2017

Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel class of endogenous RNAs, are widespread in eukaryotic cells. Emerging roles in diverse biological processes suggest that circRNA is a promising key player in RNA world. Most circRNAs are generated through back-splicing of pre-mRNAs, forming a covalently closed loop structure with no 5’ caps or 3’ polyadenylated tails. In addition, most circRNAs were not associated with translating ribosomes, therefore, circRNAs were deemed to be noncoding. However, the latest research findings revealed that some circRNAs could generate proteins in vivo, which expands the landscape of transcriptome and proteome. To gain insights into the new area of circRNA translation, we introduce an integrated tool capable of detecting circRNAs with protein-coding potential from high-throughput sequencing data.

Availability and implementation

CircPro is available at http://bis.zju.edu.cn/CircPro.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.