bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fungal Ecology in a Tertiary Neonatal Intensive Care Unit after 16 Years of Routine Fluconazole Prophylaxis: No Emergence of Native Fluconazole-Resistant Strains
Authors: Luparia Martina , Landi Francesca , Mesini Alessio , Militello Maria Angela , Galletto Paolo , Farina Daniele , Castagnola Elio , Manzoni Paolo
Published: July 2019

Objective We analyzed the fungal ecology of a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) over a period of 20 consecutive years following the introduction of routine fluconazole prophylaxis for all very low birth weight (VLBW; <1,500 g at birth) preterm babies. The aim was to detect the possible appearance of any ecological shifts toward the emergence of native fluconazole-resistant (NFR) fungal species.

Study Design This was a retrospective analysis of clinical and microbiological data of VLBW preterm neonates admitted to a large tertiary NICU in Italy from 1997 to 2016 and surviving more than 3 days. Colonization and infection incidence rates, both for fluconazole-sensitive Candida spp and NFR Candida spp, were calculated for each year. We compared the first 4-year period without prophylaxis (1997–2000) with the last 16-year period with use of routine fluconazole prophylaxis (2000–2016).

Results Overall, the incidence of fungal colonization significantly decreased after the introduction of prophylaxis (from 43.4% to 16.5%) as well as the systemic fungal infection incidence (from 16% to 3.7%). The proportion of colonization and infection by NFR Candida spp, on the other hand, did not increase, remaining stable throughout the 16 years of exposure to fluconazole. During the prophylaxis period, 42 of 1,172 VLBW neonates were colonized by NFR species (3.6%), and of them 11 developed a systemic infection (0.9%). During the preprophylaxis period, colonization by these particular species affected 11 of 285 VLBW neonates (3.8%), and a systemic infection involved 4 neonates (1.4%).

Conclusion Fluconazole prophylaxis is effective in decreasing Candida colonization and systemic infections in preterm neonates in NICU and did not cause emergence or shifts toward NFR Candida spp over a 16-year surveillance period.
Pulmonary Recruitment Strategy in Preterm Neonates < 29 Weeks of Gestational Age to Reduce the Need for Intubation in the Delivery Room
Authors: Petrillo Flavia , Valenzano Luigia , Franco Caterina , Calò Giovanna , Dentico Domenico , Manzoni Paolo , D'Amato Gabriele , Del Vecchio Antonio
Published: July 2019

Background The application of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) modalities from birth in the delivery room (DR) during fetal–neonatal transition reduces the need for invasive mechanical ventilation, mortality, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The use of a RAM nasal cannula (RAM NC) in the DR for resuscitation results in less need for intubation, chest compressions, and epinephrine administration when compared with using a face mask for PPV in the DR.

Objective To evaluate the need for endotracheal intubation in the DR among extremely low gestational age neonates treated at birth with sustained inflation (SI) followed by a nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) (range: 6–8 cm of H2O) delivered through the RAM NC.

Study Design A retrospective study was conducted to compare the use of NIV techniques in the DR and the need for intubation in the DR in premature infants 23 to 28 weeks' gestational age from December 2016 to July 2018 (group A). These data were compared with those of premature inborn infants with similar GA born between April 2015 and November 2016 (group B). In the DR, immediately after birth, neonates in group A received SI through RAM NC followed by CPAP ranging from 6 to 8 cm H2O, whereas the neonates in group B were treated in the DR with SI administered through a face mask followed by the application of CPAP of 5 cm H2O delivered through a nasopharyngeal tube.

Results A total of 65 preterm infants 23 to 28 weeks of gestational age, 31 in group A and 34 in group B, were included in the study. The percentage of neonates intubated in the DR was significantly lower in group A (p < 0.008). In both groups, no neonates died in the DR, and no one required epinephrine and/or chest compressions. For those neonates who did not require intubation in the DR, there was no significant difference in the average FiO2 on arrival in the neonatal intensive care unit, rate of intubation within 24 hours, and use of surfactant. The incidence of BPD was similar in the two groups. Only one infant in group A developed moderate BPD, and no one needed oxygen and/or ventilatory assistance at discharge. Mortality was similar in the two groups, with a slight prevalence in group B (27.7 vs. 19.2%).

Conclusion SI with RAM NC followed by NCPAP ranging from 6 to 8 cm H2O, administered with RAM NC resulted in a significant reduction of intubation in the DR.
Concordancia Interobservador para la Validación del PI-RADS v2
Authors: Labra W Andrés , Fuente-Alba Claudio Silva , Schiappacasse F Giancarlo , Barahona Z Daniela , Skoknic B Velimir
Published: July 2019

Objetivo Evaluar la variabilidad interobservador en el uso de la versión 2.0 del PI-RADS (PI-RADS v2), en lectores experimentados y no experimentados.

Materiales y Métodos Estudio retrospectivo de análisis de concordancia de lectores. Entre enero de 2015 y diciembre de 2016, 1.656 sujetos fueron estudiados mediante resonancia magnética multiparamétrica (RMmp) de próstata en nuestra institución. Se estimó la distribución porcentual del reporte en categoría PI-RADS v2, y con esa información, se realizó una selección de 150 casos con esquema de aleatorización estratificada a las distribuciones porcentuales de cada categoría. Dichos casos fueron anonimizados, presentados a tres lectores con cinco, cuatro y dos años de experiencia en lectura de RMmp además de tener más de un año de experiencia en el uso del PI-RADS v2 siendo leídos en forma individual. Los datos resultantes fueron analizados en forma independiente por un cuarto investigador.

Resultados El valor de kappa ponderado para los observadores fue de 0,69 (IC 95: 0,64 a 0,75). La mayor concordancia correspondió a los lectores de mayor experiencia, donde alcanza un valor de 0,72 (IC 95%: 0,69 a 0,76). La concordancia entre los valores PI-RADS que determinan seguimiento o bien una intervención de acuerdo a elementos clínicos (1–2–3) y conducta activa (4–5) correspondió a 0,70 (IC 95%: 0,59 a 0,78).

Discusión Se logró demostrar un acuerdo sustancial entre radiólogos utilizando el PI-RADS v2 para la detección en RMmp de lesiones sospechosas, mayor entre los dos lectores más experimentados. Sin embargo, la comparación del lector de menor experiencia con los de mayor experiencia también presentó una importante concordancia. Los valores de concordancia entre observadores para PI-RADS ≥4 fueron similares a los reportados en la literatura.

Conclusiones El PI-RADS v2 ha demostrado en nuestro centro, con radiólogos dedicados a imágenes de abdomen y estudios de próstata, un alto nivel de acuerdo en la interpretación de la RMmp de próstata, encontrándose a tono con lo reportado en la literatura.
Mitigation of Antibiotic-Inducted Toxicity in Equine Chondrocytes by Soybean/Glucosamine/Chondroitin Combination
Authors: Mochal-King Cathleen A. , Rashmir Ann M. , Fortuno Lowella V. , Grzanna Mark W. , Au Angela Y. , Dougherty Jillian , Frondoza Carmelita G.
Published: July 2019

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of amikacin (AK) and enrofloxacin (EF) at concentrations consistent with those obtained by intra-articular and intravenous regional limb perfusion on both cytotoxicity and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production by equine chondrocytes. This study also determines if PGE2 production could be reduced by avocado/soybean unsaponifiables (ASU), glucosamine (GLU) and chondroitin sulphate (CS).

Study Design Chondrocytes were grown in monolayer from the articular cartilage of 12 horses and treated with clinically relevant concentrations of AK and EF, with or without the combination of ASU + GLU + CS. Positive controls consisted of chondrocytes that were activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Chondrocyte response was evaluated using both MTT cytotoxicity assay and immunoassay for PGE2 production.

Results Amikacin and EF generated a dose-dependent cytotoxicity. Amikacin induced 90% cell death at a concentration of 25 mg/mL. Enrofloxacin induced 90% cell death at 1.0 mg/mL and 98% cell death at 10 mg/mL (p < 0.05). Amikacin failed to induce PGE2 production at any of the concentrations studied. In contrast, EF and the positive control (LPS) induced PGE2 production at all concentrations. Induction of PGE2 by EF at all concentrations was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) by pre-treatment with ASU + GLU + CS.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Horses receiving commonly used dosages of AK and EF may benefit from administration of ASU + GLU + CS.
High speed observations of ionic liquid electrospray and corona discharge plumes
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: July 2019

Studying the shape of an ionic liquid revealed more about the mechanism and influence of corona discharge during electrospray.
From an irrigation system to an ecological asset: adding environmental flows establishes recovery of a threatened fish species
Authors: Stuart Ivor , Sharpe Clayton , Stanislawski Kathryn , Parker Anna , Mallen-Cooper Martin
Published: July 2019

Worldwide, riverine fish are the target of environmental water because populations have declined in lotic river habitats following river regulation. Murray cod is an endangered Australian riverine fish with remaining populations associated with lotic river reaches with instream habitat, including some creeks operated as part of irrigation systems. Our objectives were to develop a life history model, apply the building block method of environmental flows to enhance the abundance of juvenile Murray cod and promote population recovery. From 2008 to 2018 we evaluated changes to Murray cod juvenile abundance before and after implementation of a perennial environmental flow regime that began in 2013. During the first year of the environmental flow, larvae were collected as evidence of spawning. Murray cod abundance can be enhanced with environmental flows that target: (1) an annual spring spawning or recruitment flow with no rapid water level drops; (2) maximising hydrodynamic complexity (i.e. flowing habitats that are longitudinally continuous and hydrodynamically complex); and (3) an annual base winter connection flow. Recognition that incorporating hydraulics (water level and velocity) at fine and coarse time scales, over spatial scales that reflect life histories, provides broader opportunities to expand the scope of environmental flows to help restore imperilled fish species in regulated ecosystems.
Conclusion
Authors: Thibodeau Paul H. , Perrez Julien , Reuchamps Min
Published: July 2019

The concluding chapter discusses political, linguistic, psychological, and methodological dimensions related to the study of political metaphor. It highlights common themes discussed in the primary chapters, noting points of convergence in the research questions being investigated, the methods used to investigate them, and the findings they reveal. In synthesizing some of these contributions, we hope to point towards potentially fruitful avenues of future research.
A narrative approach to media reporting of the Arab-Israeli conflict 2000–2010
Authors: Haj Omar Husam
Published: July 2019

Narrative shapes conflict, influencing its outcomes and the parties involved in it. Translations reported by media
lie in the heart of this dynamism as translation plays a crucial role in enabling narratives to cross cultural and linguistic
barriers. This paper adopts a narrative approach to the analysis of media reporting of political discourse communicated during the
Arab-Israeli conflict. The data under analysis is mainly derived from three conflicts: The Second Intifada 2000–2005, Lebanon War
2006 and Gaza War 2008/9. The study suggests that competing narratives have manifested themselves differently in the media
reporting of the discourse. Statements have been framed and events labelled through the translations reported by media in line
with the agenda of politically affiliated media outlets. Using various forms of framing and features of narrativity, conflicting
parties have sought to promote their versions of the narrative on the conflict.
A Worldwide Web of Words
Authors: Wardle Mary
Published: July 2019

The analogy of aréseauor network is one of the most powerful of our age and, while often represented as a neat set of interconnections with all points linked to others in geometrical patterns, the reality can be quite different: more useful is the Rhizome analogy, modelled on plants such as orchids and bamboo, with no centres and no defined boundaries; the Internet, for example, is a profoundly rhizomatic structure.

The analysis presented is that of a ‘traditional’ printed text, Raymond Queneau’sExercices de style, itself a study in rewriting, and examines the ST within its intertextual web, touching on its interlingual translations into English and Italian, its intersemiotic translations into song, comic book and theatre work, and some of the countless paratextual elements surrounding theExercices, with the ultimate objective of analysing how all these elements cannot but now influence our reception of the original source text.
La restitution de l’« effet-monde » dans le récit
Authors: Zhang Wen
Published: July 2019

This article aims to study the recreation of the “world-effect” in the translation of a narrative text.
Using a corpus made up of three Chinese translations of Charles Perrault’s Sleeping Beauty published in different
periods, we find that in the translation of children’s literature, the translator may face various difficulties (ex. the
sociohistorical constraints, editorial policy…). Thus, he often tends to adopt different strategies (Chinesizing, exotisizing,
infantilizing) which would inevitably lead to different effects for the target readership.
Challenges in the contrastive study of discourse markers
Authors: Aijmer Karin
Published: July 2019

I argue that the position of the discourse
markers in the utterance should be part of the contrastive analysis
on the basis of a corpus case study of then and its
Swedish cognate då. The focus for the contrastive
analysis has been on then which has been studied
both in the left and the right periphery while då
has been investigated only in its use in the right periphery.
English and Swedish then/då seem to have partly
overlapping polysemies reflecting the fact that they are not
completely grammaticalized. However, when we take the position of
then/då into account there are differences
between them reflecting both the uncertain distinction between their
uses as discourse marker or modal particle and that languages prefer
different strategies.
A preliminary typology of interactional figures based on a tool
for visualizing conversational structure
Authors: Espinosa-Guerri Guadalupe , García-Ramón Amparo
Published: July 2019

The aim of this paper is to study interactional
structure based on the connections between interventions (or
turns) in a dialogue. Dialogic discourse is
understood as an organization that connects each intervention to
other interventions on both sides of it. We use a visualization tool
to connect interventions based on the types of reactive and
initiative relations between them. The result is a visual
representation of the whole conversation, which can be used for the
systematic analysis of structural phenomena and the detection of
phenomena which might have been previously unnoticed.
A corpus-based comparative study of concessive connectives in
English, German and Spanish
Authors: Gast Volker
Published: July 2019

This contribution presents a comparative,
corpus-based study of the arguably most common concessive
connectives of English, German and Spanish, i.e., although,
obwohl and aunque. Concessive
connectives cover a broad range of contexts and the question arises
to what extent prima facie equivalents such as the
three connectives under analysis in this study differ with respect
to parameters of concessivity identified in the relevant literature.
The study shows that obwohl differs
significantly from aunque and
although in exhibiting a strong bias towards
‘canonical’ concessivity, while the latter connectives
(aunque to a greater extent than
although) are also commonly used in
non-canonical, specifically ‘relativizing’ concessives. Some further
distributional differences are identified (with respect to the level
of linking, the givenness status and the topic-comment structure of
the concessive), but they are largely consequences of the
asymmetries in the ‘basic’ type of semantic relation (canonical,
relativizing, adversative). As far as structural properties of the
concessive clauses are concerned, obwohl-clauses
differ from although- and
aunque-clauses in that they rarely precede the main
clause. This tendency cannot be explained in terms of length, or the
functional parameters under investigation, and is thus regarded as a
property of the connectives themselves.
Processing patterns of focusing in Spanish
Authors: Cruz Adriana , Loureda Óscar
Published: July 2019

Different kinds of focusing relations that encode
different assumptions are expected to exhibit different kinds of
processing patterns (Loureda
et al. 2015; Lowder
and Gordon 2015; Nadal et al. 2016). In this paper, we present findings
of an eye tracking study that takes under consideration two
different types of focusing relations in pragmatic scales in Spanish
(Rooth 1985; König 1991; Rooth 1992; Kenesei 2006; Portolés 2007, 2009): (a1)
unmarked identificational foci that have primarily identificational
value, (a2) unmarked restrictive foci that present a conceptual
restriction, and (b) contrastive foci, marked by the focus operator
incluso (‘even’) that due to its procedural
meaning restricts the inferential processes in communication (Karttunen and Peters 1979;
Blakemore 1987, 1992; Portolés 2007). According to the findings,
this paper claims that (1) utterances with unmarked and marked focus
do not present different global processing efforts (utterances with
marked focus have more encoded information but the focus operator generates a
control and acceleration effect), (2) utterances with unmarked and
marked foci present different intern processing patterns: unmarked
(conceptual) and marked (procedural) patterns and (3) that different
processing patterns lead to different inferential processes.
Task preparedness
Authors: Ellis Rod
Published: July 2019

The role of pre-task options in task-based language teaching has received considerable attention, most notably in the work of Peter Skehan. They constitute implementation variables that affect the complexity, accuracy and fluency (CAF) of language production and also, potentially language, development. Initially researchers focused on one preparedness option – pre-task planning – but subsequently broadened this to include within-task planning and rehearsal (i.e. task repetition). More recently a wider range of preparedness options have been investigated, including the pre-teaching of language and topic familiarity. This chapter reviews research on these different options, expanding the survey in Ellis (2005; 2009). In the case of rehearsal, I conclude that it enhances fluency and complexity but is only likely to lead to greater accuracy when combined with some other option such as form-focused instruction between repetitions. Pre-task planning is a complex activity that can vary in a number of ways – for example, the amount of time allocated to it and whether it is guided or unguided – and its impact on task performance depends on learner factors such as working memory. Overall, pre-task planning has been shown to lead to greater fluency and complexity but is less likely to enhance accuracy. Online planning has a powerful effect on how a task is performed, resulting in both increased accuracy and complexity. Relatively little research has investigated how pre-task instruction affects performance of a task but there is some evidence that it can result in increased accuracy albeit with a possible negative impact on fluency and complexity. The chapter concludes with some suggestions for future research, in particular the need to investigate the cognitive and affective processes involved when learners engage with different kinds of preparedness activities and how these processes relate to task performance, and also the impact that task options have on language development as well as language production.
Automaticity, fluency and second language task performance
Authors: Tavakoli Parvaneh
Published: July 2019

Research in second language (L2) task performance has been interested in examining fluency not only as a key aspect of language performance but also as a construct that can demonstrate L2 processing and development in concrete and measurable ways. Speech fluency has been particularly important in second language acquisition (SLA) research as it helps shed light on significant aspects of language processing, such as attention, noticing, and automaticity. This chapter will provide a brief overview of the literature on the relationship between automaticity and L2 fluency. It will then highlight the extent to which research in this area has moved beyond a simple and inadequately-defined concept of fluency to characterising fluency as a multidimensional and complex construct that is defined rigorously and measured objectively and systematically. After discussing the significance of fluency in language acquisition, language teaching and language assessment, the chapter evaluates the existing frameworks for defining and measuring fluency. It will also outline how operationalisation and measurement of fluency have changed to become more robust in nature and more methodical in operation. In doing so, Skehan’s influential contribution to the development of the current understanding of fluency and its measurement will be highlighted. The paper will conclude by underlining the need for expanding the existing framework to include other factors, such as individual, social, and cultural factors that affect fluency in task performance.
The relationship between task motivation and L2 motivation
Authors: Wang Qiong , Li Shaofeng
Published: July 2019

This chapter reports a study investigating the underlying construct of task motivation and its relationship with general motivation in learning English. A task motivation questionnaire was designed based on in-depth interviews with a group of Chinese university EFL students and was then administered to a larger population sample. L2 motivation was measured by means of an instrument based on Dörnyei’s L2 Self System. The results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that task motivation and L2 motivation were distinct: learners’ attitudes toward the task are separate from the more generalized active/passive mindset of learning English. The results suggest the need to treat task motivation as an independent construct. The results have valuable implications for task-based research and L2 motivation research.
Unravelling cognitive task complexity
Authors: Sasayama Shoko , Norris John
Published: July 2019

Cognitive task complexity, which refers to the complexity or difficulty of a given task, has received substantial interest from researchers in various fields, including task-based language teaching (TBLT), second language acquisition, language testing, cognitive psychology, and education. In TBLT, researchers hope to make sense of complexity in order to design tasks that promote L2 performance, interaction, and learning. In this domain of research, Peter Skehan’s contributions are seminal. His Limited Attentional Capacity approach (1998) has inspired a large number of studies on cognitive task complexity and encouraged a healthy theoretical debate. In particular, his careful observations of the relationship between task characteristics and learner performance (as seen, for example, in Skehan, 2009, 2016) have demonstrated the importance of exploring in detail the nature of particular task characteristics (a priori design features and beyond) and the associated possibilities for improvement or deterioration in learners’ task performances.

Inspired by his work, the current study explores how learners responded to four picture-based oral narration tasks with varying degrees of complexity by design. A total of 120 English-L2 speakers in Japan narrated four picture sequences, each containing one, two, four, or nine characters (hence, varying degrees of cognitive task complexity by design). To gauge their perceptions of each task, learners rated each version according to perceived difficulty and mental effort exerted, and they provided written explanatory comments for their ratings.

Participants’ comments revealed three overarching categories of factors to which they attributed difficulty/effort associated with the tasks: conceptual input, code complexity, and performance factors. Further analysis of their comments from the perspective of Cognitive Load Theory (Sweller, 1994) indicated that difficulty/effort was associated with three distinct types of cognitive complexity: (a) intrinsic complexity related to learners’ English proficiency; (b) extraneous complexity that was perceived to be deleterious or irrelevant to task performance; and (c) germane complexity that encouraged learners to focus on improved performance. Of particular interest for task designers, the task with a combination of low extraneous and high germane complexity elicited the best performances, as measured by syntactic complexity, linguistic accuracy, lexical variety, and fluency indices. The paper concludes by indicating directions to be taken in future task complexity research.
Input-based tasks in the French language classroom
Authors: Erlam Rosemary
Published: July 2019

This study extended previous research by investigating the effectiveness of input-based instruction with beginner-level learners of French. Students completed a series of 11 focused tasks over 3 lessons which aimed to have them make form-meaning connections for target lexical and grammatical items. They received no explicit grammatical instruction. The tasks were taught by their classroom teacher during their normal French programme. An examination of the transcripts of the instruction allowed for information to be collected about the number of times that students were required to make form-meaning connections for each of the target items. Evidence of their learning on both measures of comprehension and production is presented, as well as evidence of the relationship between form-meaning connections (FMCs) and learning gains made.
Task-readiness and L2 task performance across proficiency levels
Authors: Bui Gavin
Published: July 2019

L2 Task performance is typically measured along the dimensions of complexity, accuracy, and fluency (CAF, or CALF when lexis is seen as an independent area). This chapter explores the relationships among CALF when topic familiarity and proficiency levels are thrown into the mix. It examined the correlational patterns of CALF in two parallel task-readiness conditions (familiar vs. unfamiliar tasks) at two different proficiency levels (intermediate vs. high). The results, in general, showed that some trade-offs occur, but only with lower to intermediate learners. This pattern attenuates at the more advanced levels, suggesting that limited attention capacity can be compensated for, and better parallel processing abilities can be achieved, as L2 proficiency grows. The findings also indicate that, while most fluency measures and accuracy measures cluster into their respective categories, the subordination-based complexity measure, the clause length-based measure, and different lexical measures appear to be distinct indices of complexity, which sometimes compete for attentional resources. This study sheds light on the nature of task performance at more advanced proficiency levels; it also unveils how complexity results vary when the construct is measured as different syntactic or lexical indexes.
Task-induced second language development
Authors: Lambert Craig
Published: July 2019

The present study provides a fine-grained analysis of how a 22-year-old Japanese English learner (Miwako) structured and restructured her language resources across a sequence of tasks which progressively increased in referential demand. It provides a picture of how language was tailored to communicative task demands through performance. The method of microgenetic analysis employed (Siegler, 2006) considers fluctuations in variability as well as the path, rate and breadth of change in the form-to-function mappings used in completing the task. It also considers sources of variability and possible mechanisms of change. In so doing, the discussion focuses on the emergence of two language forms that allowed the speaker to complete the task more effectively and efficiently (relative clauses and comparative structures) and relates this developmental variation to general fluctuations in CALF. The results indicate that over the course of the task sequence the learner’s L2 use showed evidence of:(1) an initial state of stabilized language use in completing easy versions of the task, (2) the destabilization of these routine linguistic strategies and a period of high variability in response to increased referential demand, and (3) subsequent organization of novel linguistic strategies in response to repeated exposure to these increased demands. The analysis thus demonstrates how task-induced L2 variation related to local-level change in the language the speaker used. It also shows how the processes of change over approximately an hour of task performance were parallel to those that have been documented over months (Larsen-Freeman, 2006; Verspoor, Lowie & van Dijk, 2008; Spoelman & Verspoor, 2010). Finally, it was found that CALF provided a complementary perspective that was broadly consistent with the microgenetic analysis in this case but masked variables in task-induced L2 change that may confound findings in other cases.
Self- and interdiffusion in dilute liquid germanium-based alloys
Authors: Weis H , Kargl F , Kolbe M , Koza M M , Unruh T , Meyer A
Published: July 2019

Self- and inter-diffusion coefficients in liquid Ge and dilute Ge-based Ge–Si, Ge–Au, Ge–In, Ge–Ce and Ge–Gd alloys-containing 2 at% additions, respectively, are measured using a comprehensive approach of measuring techniques: quasi-elastic neutron scattering, in situ long-capillary experiments combined with x-ray radiography, and a long-capillary experiment under microgravity conditions. Resulting inter- and Ge self-diffusion coefficients are equal within error bars for each investigated alloy. The interdiffusion coefficients are smaller for the alloys containing Ce and Gd, However, no dependence of the atomic mass of the minor additions, that varies by about a factor of seven between Si and Au, on the diffusion coefficients could be observed. This demonstrates that in a loosely-packed metallic liquid with fast diffusive dynamics the diffusion mechanism is highly collective in nature.
Dynamics of scrape-off layer filaments in high β plasmas
Authors: Hoare T , Militello F , Omotani J T , Riva F , Newton S , Nicholas T , Ryan D , Walkden N R
Published: July 2019

The role of magnetic perturbations generated by filaments in the scrape-off layer is investigated by performing simulations of 3D seeded filaments with an electromagnetic numerical code which includes sheath boundary conditions. Depending on the plasma β, three smoothly connecting regimes were identified: an electrostatic regime where the magnetic field is substantially unaffected by the motion of the filament, an intermediate regime where the magnetic field is excited but relaxes within the filament’s lifetime and an electromagnetic regime where the frozen-in condition is well satisfied. The electromagnetic effects are found to have a significant impact on the filament dynamics at values of β relevant for fusion devices, including increased midplane radial velocity, bending of the filament and braiding of magnetic field lines. Importantly, a finite Alfvén speed can allow electrical disconnection of the target and the upstream part of the filament, thus removing the slowing down effect associated with the sheath and producing faster filaments and more intense cross-field transport in perturbations that were affected by the sheath in the β = 0 limit.
Validity of local thermal equilibrium in anomalous heat diffusion
Authors: Wang Lei , Liu Sha , Li Baowen
Published: July 2019

Local thermal equilibrium (LTE) is a general presumption of many theoretical analyses in nonequilibrium statistical physics. It describes a situation that although the system is not in global thermal equilibrium, each small portion of the system may still be described approximately by the laws of thermal equilibrium. The validity of LTE has however seldom been investigated carefully. Here, by studying the ensemble velocity distribution and its spatial correlation, we present strong evidences for the lack of LTE in anomalous heat diffusion processes in one dimensional harmonic lattices and the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam-β lattices. In particular, clear nonzero excess kurtosis and long range correlations have been observed, with values scaling linearly with the initial temperature difference. Therefore near thermal equilibrium is not sufficient to achieve LTE. Some existing studies that are based on the existence of LTE should be revisited. Using the same methods, we also show that LTE is still valid in the ϕ
4 lattice, in which heat diffuses following Fourier’s law.
Strong-field photoelectron momentum imaging of OCS at finely resolved incident intensities
Authors: Wiese Joss , Olivieri Jean-François , Trabattoni Andrea , Trippel Sebastian , Küpper Jochen
Published: July 2019

Photoelectron momentum distributions from strong-field ionization of carbonyl sulfide with 800 nm central-wavelength laser pulses at various peak intensities from 4.6 to 13 × 1013 W cm−2 were recorded and analyzed regarding resonant Rydberg states and photoelectron orbital angular momentum. The evaluation of the differentials of the momentum distributions with respect to the peak intensity highly suppressed the impact of focal volume averaging and allowed for the unambiguous recognition of Freeman resonances. As a result, previously made assignments of photoelectron lines could be reassigned. An earlier reported empirical rule, which relates the initial state's orbital momentum and the minimum photon expense to ionize an ac Stark shifted atomic system to the observable dominant photoelectron orbital momentum, was confirmed for the molecular target.
A generalized phase space approach for solving quantum spin dynamics
Authors: Zhu Bihui , Rey Ana Maria , Schachenmayer Johannes
Published: July 2019

Numerical techniques to efficiently model out-of-equilibrium dynamics in interacting quantum many-body systems are key for advancing our capability to harness and understand complex quantum matter. Here we propose a new numerical approach which we refer to as generalized discrete truncated Wigner approximation (GDTWA). It is based on a discrete semi-classical phase space sampling and allows to investigate quantum dynamics in lattice spin systems with arbitrary S ≥ 1/2. We show that the GDTWA can accurately simulate dynamics of large ensembles in arbitrary dimensions. We apply it for S > 1/2 spin-models with dipolar long-range interactions, a scenario arising in recent experiments with magnetic atoms. We show that the method can capture beyond mean-field effects, not only at short times, but it also can correctly reproduce long time quantum-thermalization dynamics. We benchmark the method with exact diagonalization in small systems, with perturbation theory for short times, and with analytical predictions made for models which feature quantum-thermalization at long times. We apply our method to study dynamics in large S > 1/2 spin-models and compute experimentally accessible observables such as Zeeman level populations, contrast of spin coherence, spin squeezing, and entanglement quantified by single-spin Renyi entropies. We reveal that large S systems can feature larger entanglement than corresponding S = 1/2 systems. Our analyses demonstrate that the GDTWA can be a powerful tool for modeling complex spin dynamics in regimes where other state-of-the art numerical methods fail.
Development of the integrated integrating sphere cold atom clock*
Authors: Yu Ming-Yuan , Meng Yan-Ling , Ye Mei-Feng , Wang Xin , Ouyang Xin-Chuan , Wan Jin-Yin , Xiao Ling , Cheng Hua-Dong , Liu Liang
Published: July 2019

We develop an integrated integrating sphere cold atom clock (ISCAC), which mainly consists of physical package, laser system, microwave source, and electronics. This compact system is more stable and reliable than the previous version. The experimental results show that the short term frequency stability of

5.4
×

10

−
13

τ

−
1

/

2

and 2.9 × 10−15 at 1-day integrating time are achieved.
Precision Determination of the Light Quark Masses from QCD Finite Energy Sum Rules
Authors: Mes Alexes K.
Published: July 2019

The light quark masses are determined from a QCD finite energy sum rule, using the pseudoscalar correlator to six-loop order in perturbative QCD, with the leading vacuum condensates and higher order quark mass corrections included. Both the fixed order perturbation theory (FOPT) method and contour improved perturbation theory (CIPT) method are explored. The results in the latter framework exhibit good convergence and stability in the window s
0 = 3.0 5.0 GeV2 for the strange quark and s0 = 1.5 4.0 GeV2 for the up and down quarks; where s
0 is the radius of the integration contour in the complex s-plane. The results are:

m
¯

s

(
2
 GeV
)
=
91.8
±
9.9

MeV
,

m
¯

u

(
2
 GeV
)
=
2.6
±
0.4

MeV
,

m
¯

d

(
2
 GeV
)
=
5.3
±
0.4

MeV

, and the sum

m
¯

u
d

≡

(

m
¯

u

+

m
¯

d

)

/
2

is

m
¯

u
d

(
2

GeV
)
=
3.9
±
0.3

MeV

. These proceedings critically explore how the current results - computed precisely in a modern computer language, Mathematica compare to past determinations in literature.
Purification of acidic highly mineralized spent regeneration solution of Novo-Salavatskaya TTP
Authors: Chichirov A.A. , Vlasova A.Yu. , Vlasov S.M. , Pechenkin A.V.
Published: July 2019

Annotation

The results of laboratory studies and industrial experiments on the neutralization and purification of highly mineralized acid waste regeneration solutions of the ion-exchange water-preparation plant H-cationite filters are given. As the reagent the carbonate sludge from the pre-cleaning of the water treatment plant was used. A sludge was used in a dry dehydrated form. During a laboratory study, it was shown that there are a significant sulfate content reduction and a pH increase. The sulfate determination was carried out by turbidimetric method using a Shimadzu UV-1800 spectrophotometer. The water treatment sludge using at Novo-Salavatskaya TPP is able to reduce the sulfate content in acid waste water from 16.8 g / l to l g / l. This way of neutralizing can reduce these penalty sanctions for thermal power plants for wastewater discharge.
The Technology of Obtaining Modified Sorbents Based on Silicate Production Waste
Authors: Kulagin V.A. , Dubrovskaya O.G. , Gudkov D.N. , Matyushenko A.I.
Published: July 2019

The article deals with the problem of rational use of waste of enterprises for the production of silicate cement. Currently the production gliezh waste (burnt clay) does not find its application and is disposed of. A method of obtaining a sorbent based on the gliezh waste is suggested, the aluminium oxide content in which ranges from 15 to 40 % and silicon oxide – from 55-75 %. Pre-burnt clay is treated with sulphuric acid, and then calcined in a muffle furnace at t = 300 °C. The resultant sorbent has high rates of wastewater treatment from heavy metals.
Luminescent control of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons content in water systems
Authors: Plotnikova O A , Tihomirova E I
Published: July 2019

To control the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous media and to ensure effective sewage treatment of natural contaminated waters, a luminescent solid-substrate method was applied. This method permits combining the preceding sorption concentration of substances on a cellulose matrix, modified with a surfactant, and analyzing directly in the solid phase of the sorbent. Optimal characteristics of luminescent control of ecotoxicant content before and after water purification were determined
Methods of assessing the health impacts of chemicals ingested with drinking water
Authors: Stepanova N V , Fomina S F
Published: July 2019

Assessment of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks of per oral intake of chemicals with drinking water for children aged 3-6 year sold living in 4 districts (zones) of the city of Kazan was carried out. A quantitative characteristic of risk was performed with application of regional exposure factors (REF) at the median level (Me) and the 95-thpercentile (95P). Analysis of the risk data showed that only 5 substances (magnesium, nitrates (in NO3), fluorides, oil products, and chloroform) made from 62.5% to 89.8% of contribution to total risk value in all zones. General toxic effects for critical organs and systems were due to oil products (from 29 to 54.7%) in the 2nd and the 4th zones, chloroform (from 10 to 30.6%) and nitrates (from 12.8 to 35.9%) in all zones, magnesium (up to 11.2%) in the 3rd zone, and fluorides (from 13.7 to 14.3%) in the 1st and the 3rd zones. The unacceptable risk level (HIMe = 11.8 and 9.9; HI95-th Perc = 14.8 and 12.5) was identified in the 2nd and the 4th zones with a mixed type of water in the utility and drinking water supply. The ingestion of chemicals with drinking water in different zones of the city of Kazan indicates an alarming and high level of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for the child population health.
Innovative products and environmental aspects of modern fodder production for aquaculture objects
Authors: Akhmetova L T , Kalayda M L , Safiullin R R , Sibgatullin G G , Khazipov N N , Kalayda A A , Dementiev D S
Published: July 2019

The quality of water and fodder components in conditions of industrially developed regions with a high degree of anthropogenic pressure on the territory become especially significant factors. The increasing demand for hydrobionts as a source of food continues to grow annually. This fact is connected not only with the increase in population, but also with the fact that preference is increasingly given to healthy food. To improve the rates of growing aquaculture and expand its species diversity, it is necessary to increase the production of feed, expand their range and develop new technologies for obtaining highly effective feed additives. A feed additive for fish feeds based on secondary raw beekeeping materials is characterized by a complex chemical composition and is a universal source of natural biologically active complexes. The practical absence of heavy metals, radionuclides, pesticides and other harmful substances in the feed additive based on bee products does not pollute the aquaculture of water bodies, and its properties due to a unique composition contribute to the accelerated elimination of toxic substances from the body of fish. The combination of ecological approaches and the introduction of innovative technologies in the production of aquaculture facilities allows to solve such key tasks of social development as ensuring food security and maintaining public health.
Aquabiotechnology of directed cultivation of microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana biomass
Authors: Bazarnova Yu.G. , Kuznetsova T , Trukhina E
Published: July 2019

We carried out cultivation of Chlorella sorokiniana microalga using various irradiation sources: daylight lamp with spectral range 530-610 nm and filament lamp with spectral range 3.5-5.0 μm. Specific growth rates were evaluated for these conditions at exponential phase. From the obtained biomass we extracted lipids and determined its’ fatty-acid content. Also we analyzed triacylglycerol (TAG) content and unsaturated fatty acids, as well as oleinic acid content. Biomass irradiation by infrared source causes enlarging of total lipid content in alga biomass, as well as saturated fatty acids and oleinic acid portions. It is viable to use infrared irradiation mode for accumulation of non-polar lipids (TAG) at stationary growth phase, which might be used for biofuel obtaining after fractionating. Polar lipid fraction, extracted from biomass at linear growth stage, might be used for obtaining essential polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Assessment of the quality of fish habitat in the area of Ulyanovsk CHHP-1
Authors: Govorkova L K
Published: July 2019

Water - the most important mineral on Earth, which can not be replaced by any other substance. It makes up most of any organisms, both plant and animal. The problem of preserving water quality is at the moment the most urgent. Science knows a lot of pollutants of natural waters, which adversely affects the health of the population, leads to the death of fish, waterfowl and other animals, as well as the death of the plant world of reservoirs. At the same time, not only toxic chemical and oil pollution, but also the excess of organic and mineral substances coming with flushing of fertilizers from fields, are dangerous for aquatic ecosystems. A very important aspect of pollution of the Earth’s water basin is thermal pollution, which is the discharge of heated water from industrial plants and thermal power plants into rivers and lakes.
Release of sterlet (lat. Acipenser ruthenus) in the Kuibyshev reservoir is an important task for the development of aquaculture
Authors: Kalayda M L , Abdrakhmanov I K , Khamitova M F , Kalayda A A
Published: July 2019

The development of hydropower and the creation of reservoirs of the Volga cascade had an impact on the state of populations of sturgeon species of fish, while creating incentives for improving the biotechnology of their reproduction and cultivation. This period is characterized by the desire and technical and technological capabilities to restore the number of sterlet in the Kuibyshev reservoir. Release of sterlet can be conducted not only in the vicinity of potential spawning grounds, but also in the feeding areas. Taking into account the possibilities of long-term development of the Kuibyshev reservoir with the directed formation of ichthyofauna and planning of sterlet catches in the volume of 480 tons, annual releases of juveniles with a mass of 3 g in the amount of 57 million pieces are required. The analysis shows the need to organize significant production of sterlet juveniles for stocking the Kuibyshev Reservoir.