bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Chandra Study: Are Dwarf Carbon Stars Spun Up and Rejuvenated by Mass Transfer?
Authors: Green Paul J. , Montez Rodolfo , Mazzoni Fernando , Filippazzo Joseph , Anderson Scott F. , Marco Orsola De , Drake Jeremy J. , Farihi Jay , Frank Adam , Kastner Joel H. , Miszalski Brent , Roulston Benjamin R.
Published: August 2019

Carbon stars (with C/O > 1) were long assumed to all be giants, because only asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars dredge up significant carbon into their atmospheres. The case is nearly ironclad now that the formerly mysterious dwarf carbon (dC) stars are actually far more common than C giants and have accreted carbon-rich material from a former AGB companion, yielding a white dwarf (WD) and a dC star that has gained both significant mass and angular momentum. Some such dC systems have undergone a planetary nebula phase, and some may evolve to become CH, CEMP, or Ba giants. Recent studies indicate that most dCs are likely from older, metal-poor kinematic populations. Given the well-known anticorrelation of age and activity, dCs would not be expected to show significant X-ray emission related to coronal activity. However, accretion spin-up might be expected to rejuvenate magnetic dynamos in these post-mass-transfer binary systems. We describe our Chandra pilot study of six dCs selected from the SDSS for Hα emission and/or a hot WD companion, to test whether their X-ray emission strength and spectral properties are consistent with a rejuvenated dynamo. We detect all six dCs in the sample, which have X-ray luminosities ranging from log

–29.7, preliminary evidence that dCs may be active at a level consistent with stars that have short rotation periods of several days or less. More definitive results require a sample of typical dCs with deeper X-ray observations to better constrain their plasma temperatures.
The Gemini/HST Galaxy Cluster Project: Environment Effects on the Stellar Populations in the Lynx Clusters at z = 1.27
Authors: Jørgensen Inger , Hunter Laura C. , O’Neill Conor R. , Chiboucas Kristin , Cole Ryan K. , Toft Sune , Schiavon Ricardo P.
Published: August 2019

Few detailed investigations of stellar populations in passive galaxies beyond z ≈ 1 are based on deep spectroscopic observations, due to the difficulty in obtaining such data. We present a study of stellar populations, structure, and mass-to-light ratios (M/L) of a large sample of bulge-dominated galaxies in the two z = 1.27 clusters Lynx E and Lynx W, based on deep ground-based optical spectroscopy combined with imaging from the Hubble Space Telescope. We find that Lynx E has a well-defined core of red passive galaxies, while Lynx W lacks such a core. If all the sample galaxies evolve similarly in size from z = 1.27 to the present, the data would allow only 0.1 dex size growth at a fixed dynamical mass. However, to link the Lynx central galaxies to brightest cluster galaxies similar to those of low-redshift clusters, the Lynx galaxies would have to grow by at least a factor 5, possibly through major merging. The M/L ratios and the Balmer absorption lines of the Lynx galaxies are consistent with passive evolution of the stellar populations from z = 1.27 to the present and support ages of 1–3 Gyr. The galaxies in the outskirts of the clusters contain younger stellar populations than found in the cluster cores. However, when evolved passively to z ≈ 0 both populations are consistent with the observed populations in the Coma cluster galaxies. The bulge-dominated emission line galaxies in the clusters are dominated by stellar populations with subsolar metallicities. Thus, additional enrichment of these is required to produce Coma-like stellar populations by z ≈ 0.
Black Hole and Neutron Star Binary Mergers in Triple Systems. II. Merger Eccentricity and Spin–Orbit Misalignment
Authors: Liu Bin , Lai Dong , Wang Yi-Han
Published: August 2019

We study the dynamical signatures of black hole (BH) and neutron star (NS) binary mergers via Lidov–Kozai oscillations induced by tertiary companions in hierarchical triple systems. For each type of binary (BH–BH and BH–NS), we explore a wide range of binary/triple parameters that lead to binary mergers and determine the distributions of merger time T
m, eccentricity (e
m), and spin–orbit misalignment angle (

) when the binary enters the LIGO/VIRGO band (10 Hz). We use the double-averaged (over both orbits) and single-averaged (over the inner orbit) secular equations, as well as N-body integration, to evolve systems with different hierarchy levels, including the leading-order post-Newtonian effect, de Sitter spin–orbit coupling, and gravitational radiation. We find that for merging BH–BH binaries with comparable masses, about 7% have e
m > 0.1 and 0.7% have e
m > 0.9. The majority of the mergers have significant eccentricities in the LISA band. The BH spin evolution and the final spin–orbit misalignment

are correlated with the orbital evolution and e
m. Mergers with negligible e
m (≲10−3) have a distribution of

that peaks around 90° (and thus favoring a projected binary spin parameter χ
eff ∼ 0), while mergers with larger e
m have more isotropic spin–orbit misalignments. For typical BH–NS binaries, strong octupole effects lead to more mergers with nonnegligible e
m (with ∼18% of the mergers having e
m > 0.1 and 2.5% having e
m > 0.9), and the final BH spin axis tends to be randomly oriented. Measurements or constraints on eccentric mergers and

from LIGO/VIRGO and LISA would provide useful diagnostics on the dynamical formation of merging BH or NS binaries in triples. The recently detected BH merger events may implicate such dynamical formation channel.
The z = 7.54 Quasar ULAS J1342+0928 Is Hosted by a Galaxy Merger
Authors: Bañados Eduardo , Novak Mladen , Neeleman Marcel , Walter Fabian , Decarli Roberto , Venemans Bram P. , Mazzucchelli Chiara , Carilli Chris , Wang Feige , Fan Xiaohui , Farina Emanuele P. , Rix Hans-Walter
Published: August 2019

We present ALMA 0.″28 × 0.″20 (1.4 kpc × 1.0 kpc) resolution observations of the [C ii] 158 μm line and underlying dust continuum in the host galaxy of the most distant quasar currently known, ULAS J1342+0928 at z = 7.5413. Both the [C ii] and continuum are detected and spatially resolved. The [C ii] line is ∼1.5 times more extended than the continuum emission, showing an elongated and complex structure of approximately 3.2 kpc × 6.4 kpc. Two separate peaks are clearly seen (≳6σ each) in three 100 km s−1 width [C ii] channel maps. The velocity field of the [C ii] gas does not show evidence of a coherent rotation field but rather chaotic motion reminiscent of an ongoing merger.
A new species of the genus Takydromus (Squamata, Lacertidae) from southwestern Guangdong, China
Authors: Wang Jian , Lyu Zhi-Tong , Yang Chen-Yu , Li Yu-Long , Wang Ying-Yong
Published: August 2019

A new species, Takydromus yunkaiensis J. Wang, Lyu, & Y.Y. Wang, sp. nov. is described based on a series of specimens collected from the Yunkaishan Nature Reserve located in the southern Yunkai Mountains, western Guangdong Province, China. The new species is a sister taxon to T. intermedius with a genetic divergence of 8.0–8.5% in the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, and differs from all known congeners by a combination of the following morphological characters: (1) body size moderate, SVL 37.8–56.0 mm in males, 42.6–60.8 mm in females; (2) dorsal ground color brown; ventral surface green to yellow-green, but light blue-green on chin and throat, posteriorly green in adult males; (3) dorsolateral lines paired, strikingly yellowish-white bordered by black above and below, invisible or indistinct in juveniles and adult females; (4) flanks of body blackish brown with light brown marks in adult males; (5) presence of four pairs of chin-shields; (6) four supraoculars on each side; (7) presence of a row of supracilary granules that separate supracilaries from supraoculars; (8) two postnasals; (9) enlarged dorsal scales in six longitudinal rows on trunk of body, with strong keel; (10) enlarged ventral scales in six longitudinal rows, strongly keeled in males, smooth but outermost rows weakly keeled in females; (11) enlarged and keeled lateral scales in a row above ventrals; (12) femoral pores 2–3 on each side; (13) subdigital lamellae 20–23 under the fourth finger, 23–30 under the fourth toe; and (14) the first 2–3 subdigital lamellae under the fourth toe divided. The discovery of Takydromus yunkaiensissp. nov. brings the total number of species of this genus to 24, of which nine occur in mainland China.
Discovery of a specialist Copelatinae fauna on Madagascar: highly ephemeral tropical forest floor depressions as an overlooked habitat for diving beetles (Coleoptera, Dytiscidae)
Authors: Ranarilalatiana Tolotra , Bergsten Johannes
Published: August 2019

Diving beetles are generally aquatic and live submerged in water during larval and adult stages. A few groups have colonised hygropetric habitats and fewer species still can possibly be referred to as terrestrial. Here we describe six new Copelatine species that were mainly found in dry shallow forest floor depressions in the eastern and northeastern lowland humid forests of Madagascar. Three new species are described in each of the two generaCopelatusandMadaglymbus:Copelatus amphibiussp. nov.,Copelatus betamponasp. nov.,Copelatus zanatanensissp. nov.,Madaglymbus kelimasosp. nov.,Madaglymbus menalambasp. nov., andMadaglymbus semifactussp. nov.Diagnosis, description, known distribution, ecology, and conservation notes are provided for each species. All species are illustrated with a dorsal habitus image, ventral and lateral views of the male penis, and parameres. Photographs of the unusual terrestrial habitats where the species were found are provided.Madaglymbus menalambasp. nov.is also documented with macrophotos and videorecordings of the terrestrial locomotion and behaviour in the field. Although these species should not be classified as terrestrial, or even semi-terrestrial Dytiscidae, they seem to be specialists of very ephemeral aquatic habitats and stay put instead of disperse when the habitat dries up. It is hypothesised that this lifestyle and behaviour on Madagascar is restricted to the high-precipitation humid forest regions mainly in the east. It may also represent a transition step, or stepping-stone, towards becoming fully terrestrial, a step that the few known terrestrial Dytiscid taxa once passed through. It is very likely that this type of habitat is overlooked for aquatic beetles, not only in Madagascar, and the six species herein described may be just the “tip of the iceberg”.
CLASSIFICATION OF GLAUCOMA USING SIMPLIFIED-MULTICLASS SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINE
Authors: Renukalatha S. , Suresh K. V.
Published: August 2019

Detection and diagnosis of glaucoma disease of eye fundus images at early stage is very important as this disorder leads to complete loss of vision if ignored. Usually, 80–90% of glaucoma cases are analyzed manually by ophthalmologists. As the manual analysis varies from one expert to other, diagnosis cannot be effective. Hence, there is a need for automatic assessment of glaucoma disease using computer aided diagnosis (CAD). Many researchers have devised several CAD techniques for glaucoma analysis using various classification techniques. However, most of the classifiers are efficient only for two level classification to detect whether disease is glaucoma or not. But, glaucoma disease has several stages and demands multilevel approaches with high degree of classification accuracy. Among several multiclass methods, literature suggests multiclass support vector technique (MSVM) as a better performing statistical classifier. However, many MSVMS suffer from data loss during training phase. To address this issue, a robust hybrid classification approach consisting of Naïve Bayes binary classifier in the first stage and simplified multiclass support vector machine (Sim-MSVM) in the second stage is proposed in this paper.
Book Review - Childhood Tuberculosis: Modern Imaging and Clinical Concepts
Authors: Goodman Hillel
Published: August 2019

A book review by Prof. Hillel Goodman of Childhood Tuberculosis: Modern Imaging and Clinical Concepts authored by Professor Bryan Cremin and Dr Douglas Jamieson. Springer-Verlag, London, 1995.
Occupational infection risks in interventional radiology
Authors: Corr P.
Published: August 2019

South African radiologists performing interventional and angiographic procedures are at risk of occupational exposure to hepatitis Band C and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Simple precautions reduce this risk substantially. It is important that radiologists and personnel working in the interventional suite are aware of the risk of infection, how to reduce the risk and how to prevent seroconversion after needle stick injuries.
Regional lung spirometry
Authors: Clauss R. P. , Pilloy W.
Published: August 2019

Forty consenting patients took part in a study to determine lobar, segmental and regional lung volumes and flows as reflected by changes in lung radioactivity measured by nuclear medicine techniques. Two hundred MBq of the gaseous radioisotope 133 Xe were injected into a re-breathing circuit spirometer with an 8 litre capacity and an equilibrium activity of 25 MBq/litre. A posterior dynamic acquisition of 400 frames at 0.125 seconds per frame for the determination of lung volumes and flows was completed, followed by a gas washout period. The acquisition recorded both tidal breathing and 3-6 cycles of maximal inhalation and exhalation after homogenous mixing of the radioactive Xenon inside the lungs and the spirometer, but before significant diffusion of the tracer into the blood. The conversion from millilitres to counts was accomplished by matching a representative breath cycle on the spirometric graph with the same cycle on the radioactivity curve generated on the processed scintigram of the whole lung. A change in volume was hence matched to a change in radioactivity, and a specific radioactivity per millilitre of lung volume was calculated. A region of interest was drawn on the scintigram over a lung lobe or segment. The regional radioactivity change represented a regional breath cycle in this area, with regional volume and flow changes. Spirometric parameters such as lobar vital capacity, tidal volume, residual volume and forced expiratory volume after 1 second were derived by using the previously calculated radioactivity per millilitre of lung volume. Total lung volumes and flows derived from radioactivity changes were compared to the concurrent volumes and flows measured on the attached spirometer, and a close correlation was found.
Basal cell carcinoma, blue-white variant: Dermatoscopic findings in 32 cases
Authors: Quiñones-Venegas Ricardo , Paniagua-Santos Juan Enrique , Guevara-Gutierrez Elizabeth , Esteban-Salerni Gabriel , Gonzalez-Ramirez Roger Adrian , Tlacuilo-Parra Alberto
Published: August 2019

Background:

The diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma is histopathological, but there are dermatoscopic criteria that confer high sensitivity and specificity to help the clinician improve its identification. However, the basal cell carcinoma blue-white variant does not totally meet these dermatoscopic criteria, and thus can be confused with other pigmented tumors. In the literature reviewed, we found only five cases of this variant.

Aims:

The present objective is to describe the dermatoscopic characteristics of the blue-white variant of basal cell carcinoma observed in a tertiary dermatology institute.

Methods:

The dermatoscopy files of patients with a histopathological diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2015 were reviewed.

Results:

A total of 32 cases with blue-white variant of basal cell carcinoma were observed over a period of 10 years. Of these cases, 97% presented dermatoscopic findings not included in the aforementioned criteria, such as whitish septa, structureless white areas, homogenous blue pigmentation and shiny white structures.

Limitations:

The small sample size and the retrospective nature of the design.

Conclusion:

We consider it important for dermatologists to know this rare variant of basal cell carcinoma and to familiarize themselves with their dermatoscopic findings, in order to prevent erroneous diagnoses or inadequate treatments.
Body Mass Index and Risk of Gastric Cancer in Asian Adults: A Meta-Epidemiological Meta-Analysis of Population-Based Cohort Studies
Authors: Bae Jong-Myon
Published: August 2019

PurposeA previous meta-analysis (MA) published in 2009 reported that excess body weight was associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer in non-Asians, but not in Asians. The aim was to conduct a meta-epidemiological MA (MEMA) to evaluate association between excess body weight and the risk of gastric cancer in Asian adults with using the proposed classification of weight by body mass index (BMI) in Asian adults.Materials and MethodsThe selection criteria were population-based prospective cohort studies that measured BMI of cohort participants and evaluated a risk of gastric cancer. Overweight group (OW) and obesity group (OB) were defined as 23.0-24.9 and ≥ 25.0, respectively. A group only showing results for BMI over 23.0 was defined as overweight and obesity group (OWB). Random effect model was applied if I2 value was over 50%.ResultsAfter four new studies were added through citation discovery tools, seven cohort studies with 21 datasets were selected finally for MEMA. The I2 value of OW, OB, and OWB were 76.1%, 83.5%, and 97.1%, respectively. Only OWB in men had a I2 value below 50% (22.5%) and showed a statistical significance with inverse association (summary relative risk, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.77 to 0.81).ConclusionThis MEMA supported the hypothesis that OW might be a protective factor in gastric cancer risk in Asian adults. It will be necessary to conduct additional cohort studies with lengthening follow-up periods and re-analyzing the effect of overweight and obesity classified by the Asian criteria.
Variations in the East Asian summer monsoon over the past millennium and their links to the Tropic Pacific and North Atlantic oceans
Authors: Duan Fucai , Zhang Zhenqiu , Wang Yi , Chen Jianshun , Liao Zebo , Chen Shitao , Shao Qingfeng , Zhao Kan
Published: August 2019

Abstract. Variations of East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) during the last millennium could help enlighten the monsoonal response to future global warming. Here we present a precisely dated and highly resolved stalagmite δ18O record from the Yongxing Cave, central China. Our new record, combined with a previously published one from the same cave, indicates that the EASM has changed dramatically in association with the global temperature rising. In particular, our record shows that the EASM has intensified during the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and the Current Warm Period (CWP) but weakened during the Little Ice Age (LIA). We find that the EASM intensity is similar during the MCA and CWP periods in both northern and central China, but relatively stronger during the CWP in southern China. This discrepancy indicates a complicated regional response of the EASM to the anthropogenic forcing. The intensified and weakened EASM during the MCA and LIA matches well with the warm and cold phases of Northern Hemisphere surface air temperature, respectively. This EASM pattern also corresponds well with the rainfall over the tropical Indo-Pacific warm pool. Surprisingly, our record shows a strong association with the North Atlantic climate as well. The intensified (weakened) EASM correlates well with positive (negative) phases of North Atlantic Oscillation. In addition, our record links well with the strong (weak) Atlantic meridional overturning circulation during the MCA (LIA) period. All above-mentioned correlations indicate that the EASM tightly couples with oceanic processes in the tropical Pacific and North Atlantic oceans during the MCA and LIA.
Encefalitis de Rasmussen: Reporte de caso
Authors: González Sánchez Luis Ernesto , Galdámez de González Gloria Griselda
Published: August 2019

Este reporte tiene el propósito de informar a la comunidad de medicina interna de un caso de epilepsia secundaria por encefalitis focal crónica tratable y discutir sus posibles variantes en adultos. Se valoró a la paciente clínicamente, con imágenes de RMI y video EEG. Paciente de 12 años que desde los 3 años presenta inicio de cuadro de parasomnia sugestiva de sonambulismo seguida de convulsiones focales motoras secundarias generalizadas izquierda con paresia braquio­crural izquierda, cuadro progresivo que inicio con una crisis por semana hasta llegar a más de 1000/ mes, refractaria a tratamiento médico. La RMI mostro atrofia temporo-frontal e insular derecha, y el video EEG, focos epileptiformes multifocales del hemisferio derecho de predominio centro frontal correlacionados con crisis focales motoras secundarias generalizadas del hemisferio izquierdo. El líquido cefalorraquídeo fue normal, se presenta a una paciente que cumple tres criterios de encefalitis de Rasmussen, es el primer caso reportado en El Salvador.
Prevalencia de obesidad, sobrepeso y desnutrición en estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de la UEES
Authors: Barillas Blanca González
Published: August 2019

Determinar la prevalencia de obesidad, sobrepeso y desnutrición en estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de la Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador. Esta investigación cuantitativa, transversal y de tipo descriptivo, se realizó en el 2009 en la Facultad de Ciencias Sociales de la UEES y se evaluaron 293 estudiantes. Las variables estudiadas incluyeron edad, genero, índice de masa corporal, actividad física, hábitos alimentarios, compromiso sistémico e hidratación. El 68.6% eran de género femenino y el 31.4% de género masculino, con edades entre 21 y 23 años. La prevalencia para desnutrición fue del 23.89%, 13.32% para sobrepeso leve, 9.57% para sobrepeso moderado, 5.8 % para obesidad, 4.79% para obesidad mórbida y un 42.66% de los estudiantes presentaron un índice de masa corporal normal. El 42.66% de los estudiantes evaluados presenta  un índice de masa corporal normal; pero en su conjunto el 57.34% de los estudiantes están mal-nutridos siendo la sobre-nutrición (33.48%) el problema más grave seguido de la desnutrición (23.89%); lo que sugiere la ampliación de este estudio incluyendo a estudiantes de todas las carreras para la futura implementación de programas de orientación nutricional y prácticas de actividad física supervisada.
Evaluación histológica de pulpotomía en dientes de perro, en la formación de puente dentinario al utilizar trioxido mineral agregado e hidróxido de calcio
Authors: Herrera Henry , De Herrera Helen , De Sermeño Ruth , Castaneda Hilda Herrera , De Campo Guadalupe Ruiz
Published: August 2019

El propósito del presente estudio experimental, fue comparar histológicamente el puente dentinatario formado sobre el tejido remanente pulpar por el hidróxido de calcio y el trióxido mineral agregado, utilizados en la técnica de pulpotomia en piezas dentales de perro. Los tratamientos fueron realizados en seis piezas dentales vitales, tres de la hemiarcada inferior derecha en piezas similares, en las cuales se utilizó hidróxido de calcio químicamente puro. Finalizadas las pulpotomia, cada una de las piezas dentales fue restaurada con amalgama de plata, transcurridos cuarenta días el sujeto de investigación fue sacrificado, posteriormente las piezas fueron separadas del hueso mandibular y procesadas para su respectiva evaluación histológica. El análisis histológico demostró la formación del puente destinario al utilizar ambos materiales. El puente dentinario formado por el Trióxido Mineral Agregado por sus siglas en inglés (MTA) se presentó más compacto y menos permeable que el formado por el Hidróxido de Calcio, favoreciendo la reparación pulpar, aislándola mejor del medio externo bucal, disminuyendo la micro filtración de fluidos y microorganismos que pueden causar compromiso pulpar.
Evaluación de las Técnicas Directas e Indirectas para determinar la precisión de la adaptación marginal, in vitro, de una restauración implanto-soportda
Authors: De Rivera Natalia Chávez , De Nieto Rosa Escolero , Colorado Alejandro José , Saravia Hugo Alfredo , Flores Jorge Alberto , Hernández José Portillo , Aguilar Marco Antonio
Published: August 2019

La presente investigación experimental in vitro, se realizó en la Escuela de Posgrado de Odontología de la Universidad Evangélica de El Salvador, para evaluar la adaptación marginal que proveen las técnicas directa e indirecta en la elaboración de cofias para prótesis implanto-soportadas. Para la técnica directa, las cofias se elaboraron sobre los pilares originales de los implantes, trasladándolos a un modelo de yeso; y para la indirecta, se realizaron sobre los modelos en yeso de los mismos; cabe resaltar que se la técnica indirecta se realizó dos veces una con supervisión docente y otra sin la misma. Cinco protesistas evaluaron con lupa la calidad de la adaptación marginal de cada cofia; utilizaron estos criterios de medición: cero para mala adaptación, uno para regular y dos para buena. Para las cofias confeccionadas en las que se utilizó la técnica indirecta, sin supervisión la media en cuanto a la calidad de la adaptación fue de 0,18; y con supervisi6n de 1.57; para la técnica directa fue de 1.60. Las técnicas de impresión directa e indirecta supervisada, con 1% de error, no presentaron diferencia estadística significativa, no así la técnica indirecta sin supervisión; por lo que para inexpertos se recomienda la utilización de la técnica directa.
Experimental studies of a typical sprinkler piping system in hospitals
Authors: Lin Zhen-Yu , Lin Fan-Ru , Chai Juin-Fu , Chang Kuo-Chun
Published: August 2019

Based on the issue of life safety and immediate needs of emergency medical services provided by hospitals after strong earthquakes, this paper aims to introduce a research programme on assessment and improvement strategies for a typical configuration of sprinkler piping systems in hospitals. The study involved component tests and subsystem tests. Cyclic loading tests were conducted to investigate the inelastic behaviour of components including concrete anchorages, screwed fittings of small-bore pipes and couplings. Parts of a horizontal piping system of a seismic damaged sprinkler piping system were tested using shaking table tests. Furthermore, horizontal piping subsystems with seismic resistant devices such as braces, flexible pipes and couplings were also tested.

The test results showed that the main cause of damage was the poor capacity of a screwed fitting of the small-bore tee branch. The optimum improvement strategy to achieve a higher nonstructural performance level for the horizontal piping subsystem is to strengthen the main pipe with braces and decrease moment demands on the tee branch by the use of flexible pipes. The hysteresis loops and failure modes of components were further discussed and will be used to conduct numerical analysis of sprinkler piping systems in future studies.
Simplified seismic loss functions for suspended ceilings and drywall partitions
Authors: Dhakal Rajesh P. , Pourali Atefeh , Saha Sandip K.
Published: August 2019

Post-disaster reconnaissance reports frequently list non-structural components (NSCs) as a major source of financial loss in earthquakes. Moreover, minimizing their damage is also of vital significance to the uninterrupted functionality of a building. For efficient decision making, it is important to be able to estimate the cost and downtime associated with the repair of the damage likely to be caused at different hazard levels used in seismic design. Generalized loss functions for two important NSCs commonly used in New Zealand, namely suspended ceilings and drywall partitions are developed in this study. The methodology to develop the loss functions, in the form of engineering demand parameter vs. expected loss due to the considered components, is based on the existing framework for the storey level loss estimation. Nevertheless, exhaustive construction/field data are employed to make these loss functions more generic. In order to estimate financial losses resulting from the failure of suspended ceilings, generalized ceiling fragility functions are developed and combined with the cost functions, which give the loss associated with typical ceilings at various peak acceleration demands. Similarly, probabilities of different damage states in drywall partitions are combined with their associated repair/replacement costs to find the cumulative distribution of the expected loss due to partitions at various drift levels, which is then normalized in terms of the total building cost. Efficiencies of the developed loss functions are investigated through detailed loss assessment of case study reinforced concrete (RC) buildings. It is observed that the difference between the expected losses for ceilings, predicted by the developed generic loss function, and the losses obtained from the detailed loss estimation method is within 5%. Similarly, the developed generic loss function for partitions is able to estimate the partition losses within 2% of that from the detailed loss assessment. The results confirm the accuracy of the proposed generic seismic loss functions.
Performance objectives for non-structural elements
Authors: Ferner Helen , Jury Rob , King Andrew , Wemyss Martin , Baird Andrew
Published: August 2019

The recent earthquakes in New Zealand have raised awareness of the seismic vulnerability of non-structural elements and the costly consequences when non-structural elements perform poorly. Impacts on business continuity due to the damage of non-structural elements has been identified as a major cost and disruption issue in recent earthquakes in New Zealand, as well as worldwide. Clearly improvements in performance of non-structural elements under earthquake loads will yield benefits to society.

This paper explores the intended and expected performance objectives for non-structural elements. Possible historic differences in performance objective expectations for non-structural elements between building services engineers, fire engineers and structural engineers are discussed. Wider construction industry expectations are explored along with our experience of client and regulatory authority views.

The paper discusses the application and interpretation of the New Zealand earthquake loadings Standard NZS1170.5:2004 for the design of non-structural elements including possible differences in interpretation between building services, structural and fire engineers leading to confusion around the expected performance of non-structural elements under different limit states. It is based on the experience of several of the authors as members of the Standards committee for NZS1170.5:2004.

The paper concludes by discussing changes to NZS1170.5:2004 the authors have proposed as members of the NZS1170.5 Standards committee to clarify and address the identified issues. These changes clarify the classification of parts, requirements for consideration earthquake imposed deformations, parts supported on ledges, potential falling of parts, the combination of fire and earthquake loads, and the requirement for parts to be designed for both serviceability and ultimate limit states along with the effective introduction of a serviceability limit state for parts for occupational continuity.
Characterising the in-plane seismic performance of infill masonry
Authors: Sassun Kathy , Sullivan Timothy J. , Morandi Paolo , Cardone Donatello
Published: August 2019

Masonry infills, commonly found in frame buildings throughout Europe and other parts of the world, have performed poorly in past earthquakes, with infill damage endangering lives, causing disruption and significant monetary losses. To characterize the performance of masonry infills, commonly classified as non-structural elements, an extensive set of experimental test data is collected and examined in this work in order to develop fragility functions for the in plane performance of masonry infills. The collected data stems from testing conducted in Europe, the Middle East and the United States and includes solid and hollow clay brick or concrete block infills, constructed to be in contact within either reinforced concrete or steel framing. The results indicate that infill masonry can exhibit first signs of damage at drifts as low as 0.2% but may not suffer complete failure until drifts as high as 2.0%. Furthermore, it is shown that masonry fragility changes significantly according to the type of infill masonry. Subsequently, a short discussion is provided to highlight the potential use of the infill fragility information within non-linear analysis models of masonry infill. Finally, repair cost estimates for infills in Italy are computed using costing-manuals and are compared with cost estimates obtained through consultation with a number of Italian building contractors, with examination of both the median and dispersion in repair costs. It is anticipated that the results of this work will be particularly useful for advanced performance-based earthquake engineering assessments of buildings with masonry infill, providing new information on the in-plane fragility, repair costs and nonlinear modelling of masonry infills.
Estimating co-seismic subsidence in the Hutt Valley resulting from rupture of the Wellington Fault, New Zealand
Authors: Townsend Dougal B. , Begg John G. , Van Dissen Russ J. , Rhoades David A. , Saunders Wendy S. A. , Little Timothy A.
Published: August 2019

Ground deformation can contribute significantly to losses in major earthquakes. Areas that suffer permanent ground deformation in addition to strong ground shaking typically sustain greater levels of damage and loss than areas suffering strong ground-shaking alone. The lower Hutt Valley of the Wellington region, New Zealand, is adjacent to the active Wellington Fault. The long-term signal of vertical deformation there is subsidence, and the most likely driver of this is rupture of the Wellington Fault.

In 1855 the Mw ~8.2 Wairarapa Earthquake resulted in uplift of the lower Hutt Valley area and created an expectation that future earthquakes would do the same. However, sediments beneath the lower Hutt Valley floor up to c. 220 thousand years old provide data that when combined with the international sea level curve demonstrate cumulative net subsidence of up to c. 155 m during that period. Recent refinement of rupture parameters for the Wellington Fault (and other faults in the region), based on new field data, has spurred us to reassess estimates of vertical deformation in the Hutt Valley that would result from rupture of the Wellington Fault. Using a logic tree framework, we calculate subsidence for an “average” Wellington Fault event of ~1.9 m near Petone, ~1.7m near Lower Hutt City, ~1.4 m near Seaview, and ~0 m in the Taita area. Such a distribution of vertical deformation would result in large areas of Alicetown-Petone and Moera-Seaview subsiding below sea level. We also calculate and present “minimum” and “maximum” credible subsidence values, which are approximately half and twice the mean values, respectively. This ground deformation hazard certainly has societal implications, and we are working with local and regional councils to develop a range of mitigation strategies.
The use of critical state soil mechanics to characterise Christchurch soil in relation to liquefaction susceptibility
Authors: Tan Jeremy , Orense Rolando P. , O’Sullivan Andy
Published: August 2019

The majority of current procedures used to deduce liquefaction potential of soils rely on empirical methods. These methods have been proven to work in the past, but these methods are known to overestimate the liquefaction potential in certain regions of Christchurch due to a whole range of factors, and the theoretical basis behind these methods cannot be explained scientifically. Critical state soil mechanics theory was chosen to provide an explanation for the soil’s behaviour during the undrained shearing. Soils from two sites in Christchurch were characterised at regular intervals for the critical layers and tested for the critical state lines (CSL). Various models and relationships were then used to predict the CSL and compared with the actual CSL. However none of the methods used managed to predict the CSL accurately, and a separate Christchurch exclusive relationship was proposed. The resultant state parameter values could be obtained from shear-wave velocity plots and were then developed into cyclic resistance ratios (CRR). These were subsequently compared with cyclic stress ratios (CSR) from recent Christchurch earthquakes to obtain the factor of safety. This CSL-based approach was compared with other empirical methods and was shown to yield a favourable relationship with visual observations at the sites’ locations following the earthquake.
Proceeding with incidentally discovered, unchanged Meckel’s diverticulum - a review
Authors: Zyluk Andrzej
Published: August 2019

Meckel’s diverticulum is the most common congenital malformation of the gastrointestinal tract, with the incidence approximately 1-4% in general population. In most persons Meckel’s diverticulum is an occult, asymptomatic anomaly, but in some may cause complications: bowel obstruction, bleeding and inflammation. The literature presents no precise recommendations on management of incidentally discovered, unchanged Meckel’s diverticulum. The goal of this study was to review literature on this topic aimed to determine current „state of art’ in this issue. Based on analysis of 17 papers, the following criteria (risk factors) were identified justifying „prophylactic” resection of fortuitously found, unchanged Meckel’s diverticulum: age <50 years, male gender, length >2 cm, macroscopic abnormalities suggesting the presence of mucosal heterotopy and narrow inlet (neck) of the diverticulum. In the cases meeting not these criteria, there is a minimal lifetime risk of complications development. Leaving diverticulum on site is recommended in cases of peritonitis, major abdominal trauma and in older age. Nevertheless, these indications to resect or not the diverticulum are relative, and surgeon is free and safe in decision making about this, depending on actual situation.
Drewno we współczesnej architekturze. Część 2 Budownictwo szybkościowe z drewna
Authors: Szewczyk Jarosław
Published: August 2019

Tytułowy zamysł szybkościowego budownictwa drewnianego
ujęto w chronologicznym wywodzie, począwszy od jego początków
(XI wiek n.e.) aż po najnowsze zjawiska czerpiące z postępu
technologicznego. Wywód systematyzuje też podejścia do szybkościowego
budownictwa drewnianego w ciągu ostatniego tysiąclecia.
A Novel Approach for Detection of Fake News on Social Media Using Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms
Authors: Altunbey Ozbay Feyza , Alatas Bilal
Published: August 2019

Deceptive content is becoming increasingly dangerous, such as fake news created by social media users. Individuals and society have been affected negatively by the spread of low-quality news on social media. The fake and real news needs to be detected to eliminate the disadvantages of social media. This paper proposes a novel approach for fake news detection (FND) problem on social media. Applying this approach, FND problem has been considered as an optimization problem for the first time and two metaheuristic algorithms, the Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) and Salp Swarm Optimization (SSO) have been adapted to the FND problem for the first time as well. The proposed FND approach consists of three stages. The first stage is data preprocessing. The second stage is adapting GWO and SSO for construction of a novel FND model. The last stage consists of using proposed FND model for testing. The proposed approach has been evaluated using three different real-world datasets. The results have been compared with seven supervised artificial intelligence algorithms. The results show GWO algorithm has the best performance in comparison with SSO algorithm and the other artificial intelligence algorithms. GWO seems to be efficiently used for solving different types of social media problems.
Combining SVD-DCT Image Watermarking Scheme Based on Perona-Malik Diffusion
Authors: Belilita Sarra , Amardjia Nourredine , Bekkouche Tewfik , Nouioua Imen
Published: August 2019

In this paper, we propose an efficient image watermarking scheme based on combining Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) and Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) transforms. The main idea consists of exploiting results obtained by the well-known Perona-Malik diffusion applied in image de-noising in watermarking domain by selecting significant blocks to embed a binary logo watermark. After applying the DCT on the selected blocks, the SVD is performed on each of these transformed blocks to modify a few numbers of its U matrix elements according to some defined conditions. Computer simulation and experimental results prove the efficiency of our proposed method against image processing attacks and outperform several previous schemes in terms of imperceptibility and robustness.
Clinicopathologic Diagnostic Approach to Aggressive Variant Prostate Cancer
Authors: Manucha Varsha , Henegan John
Published: August 2019

Context.—

Aggressive variant prostate cancer (AVPCa) develops in a subset of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The clinical and histologic overlap of AVPCa with other neuroendocrine carcinomas of the prostate has resulted in a lack of consensus on its terminology and treatment.

Objective.—

To review AVPCa to familiarize pathologists with this entity so they can actively participate in the detection, ongoing research, and evolving management of AVPCa.

Data Sources.—

The English language literature was reviewed.

Conclusions.—

The current review summarizes the pathologic features of AVPCa, describes how it has been defined clinically, and discusses how biomarkers may inform treatment strategies in the future.
Eosinophilic Kidney Tumors: Old and New
Authors: Iczkowski Kenneth A. , Czaja Rebecca C.
Published: August 2019

Context.—

Eosinophilic cytoplasm is the most common finding of difficult-to-classify kidney tumors. Morphology, cytogenetics, and immunohistochemical stains are discriminatory. This review compares well-recognized tumors such as granular clear cell carcinoma, papillary variants, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma, and oncocytoma and introduces newly described entities of hybrid oncocytic tumors, carcinomas defined by translocations, and carcinomas with deficiencies in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The focus is on immunostaining, clinical correlations, and differential diagnoses. Representative examples of some entities are presented with elaboration on their workup.

Objective.—

To provide a review of the differential diagnoses for renal neoplasms with eosinophilic cytoplasm and elaborate on methods that may assist with correct identification.

Data Sources.—

Review of current literature on kidney tumors with eosinophilic cytoplasm, as well as the authors' personal experience.

Conclusions.—

Eosinophilic cytoplasm is a feature shared by many kidney tumors. Understanding the morphologic differences and the role of ancillary studies is key when encountering such a tumor.
The case for and causes of intraminority solidarity in support for reparations: Evidence from community and student samples in Canada
Authors: Starzyk Katherine B. , Neufeld Katelin H. S. , El-Gabalawy Renée M. , Boese Gregory D. B.
Published: August 2019

In three studies, we examined how racial/ethnic majority (i.e., White) and non-Indigenous minority participants in Canada responded to reparations for Indigenous peoples in Canada. Our goal was to understand whether and why there may be intraminority solidarity in this context. In Study 1, with a large, national survey (N = 1,947), we examined the extent to which participants agreed the government should be responsible for addressing human rights violations committed by previous governments as well as whether the government has done enough to address the wrongs committed against Indigenous peoples in Canada. With a sample of undergraduate students in Study 2 (N = 144) and another community sample in Study 3 (N = 233), we examined possible mediators of the relationship between ethnic status and support for reparations. Taken together, the results of three studies suggest that, compared to White majority Canadians, non-Indigenous minority Canadians were more supportive of providing reparations to Indigenous peoples through a complex chain of collective victimhood, inclusive victim consciousness, continued victim suffering, and solidarity.
A new species of terrestrial frog of the genusNoblellaBarbour, 1930 (Amphibia: Strabomantidae) from the Llanganates-Sangay Ecological Corridor, Tungurahua, Ecuador
Authors: Reyes-Puig Juan Pablo , Reyes-Puig Carolina , Ron Santiago , Ortega Jhael A. , Guayasamin Juan M. , Goodrum Mindee , Recalde Fausto , Vieira Jose J. , Koch Claudia , Yánez-Muñoz Mario H.
Published: August 2019

We describe a new species of terrestrial frog of the genusNoblellafrom the eastern versants of the Ecuadorian Andes in the upper Pastaza watershed.Noblella naturetrekiisp. n. differs from its Ecuadorian congeners by the presence of a differentiated tympanic membrane and a weakly defined tympanic annulus, and eyelids with rounded tubercles. In addition, the new species is characterized by its blackish–dark brown ventral coloration scattered with little white dots and the absence of papillae at the tip of the fingers and toes. We provide a detailed description of the call and osteology of the new species. Finally, we present the most complete phylogeny of the genus, which confirms thatNoblellais a non-monophyletic group.
Efficient virus-induced gene silencing in Hibiscus hamabo Sieb. et Zucc. using tobacco rattle virus
Authors: Wang Zhiquan , Xu Xiaoyang , Ni Longjie , Guo Jinbo , Gu Chunsun
Published: August 2019

Background

Hibiscus hamabo Sieb. et Zucc. is a semi-mangrove plant used for the ecological restoration of saline-alkali land, coastal afforestation and urban landscaping. The genetic transformation H. hamabo is currently inefficient and laborious, restricting gene functional studies on this species. In plants, virus-induced gene silencing provides a pathway to rapidly and effectively create targeted gene knockouts for gene functional studies.

Methods

In this study, we tested the efficiency of a tobacco rattle virus vector in silencing the cloroplastos alterados 1 (CLA1) gene through agroinfiltration.

Results

The leaves of H. hamabo showed white streaks typical of CLA1 gene silencing three weeks after agroinfiltration. In agroinfiltrated H. hamabo plants, the CLA1 expression levels in leaves with white streaks were all significantly lower than those in leaves from mock-infected and control plants.

Conclusions

The system presented here can efficiently silence genes in H. hamabo and may be a powerful tool for large-scale reverse-genetic analyses of gene functions in H. hamabo.