bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New technology of underground structures the framework of restrained urban conditions
Authors: Pleshko Mikhail , Pankratenko Alexander , Revyakin Alexey , Shchekina Ekaterina , Kholodova Svetlana
Published: March 2018

In the paper was indicated the essentiality of large-scale underground space development and high-rise construction of cities in Russia. The basic elements of transport facilities construction effective technology without traffic restriction are developed. Unlike the well-known solutions, it offers the inclusion of an advanced lining in the construction that strengthens the soil mass. The fundamental principles of methods for determining stress in advanced support and monitoring of underground construction, providing the application of pressure sensors, strain sensors and displacement sensors are considered.
Intumescent coatings with improved properties for high-rise construction
Authors: Ustinov Andrey , Zybina Olga , Tanklevsky Leonid , Lebedev Vasily , Andreev Andrey
Published: March 2018

The paper overviews the way of creating intumescent fire-protective compositions with improved properties by adding nano-and micro-sized supplements into them. Intumescent paints are inert at low temperatures, and at higher temperatures they expand and degrade to provide a charred layer of low conductivity materials. The modified intumescent paints are able to form a more stable charred layer than the classical paints. The stability of a charred layer is crucial if the fire safety in high-rise construction must be secured, because a weak charred layer will not provide a required fire endurance for steel bearing structures and they will break down in case of fire. The fire-protective properties of modified intumescent paints were estimated using an electrical furnace. Also the way of thermal decomposition of the paints was studied with thermogravimetric analysis. Results show that modified intumescent paints form a charred layer with improved fire-protective properties; it can serve as a thermal barrier for a longer period of time. Thermogravimetric analysis confirms this fact showing that the temperatures of full thermal decay in case of modified paints are higher than those of non-modified paints.
Smart glass as the method of improving the energy efficiency of high-rise buildings
Authors: Gamayunova Olga , Gumerova Eliza , Miloradova Nadezda
Published: March 2018

The question that has to be answered in high-rise building is glazing and its service life conditions. Contemporary market offers several types of window units, for instance, wooden, aluminum, PVC and combined models. Wooden and PVC windows become the most widespread and competitive between each other. In recent times design engineers choose smart glass. In this article, the advantages and drawbacks of all types of windows are reviewed, and the recommendations are given according to choice of window type in order to improve energy efficiency of buildings.
Technology of surface wastewater purification, including high-rise construction areas
Authors: Tsyba Anna , Skolubovich Yury
Published: March 2018

Despite on the improvements in the quality of high-rise construction areas and industrial wastewater treatment, the pollution of water bodies continues to increase. This is due to the organized and unorganized surface untreated sewage entry into the reservoirs. The qualitative analysis of some cities’ surface sewage composition is carried out in the work. Based on the published literature review, the characteristic contamination present in surface wastewater was identified. The paper proposes a new technology for the treatment of surface sewage and presents the results of preliminary studies.
Ecologically Safe Geothermal Energy Resources in Western Siberia near high-rise construction zones
Authors: Shevchenko Alexandr , Shiganova Olga
Published: March 2018

The development of geothermal energy in combination with other renewable energy sources (the sun, the wind) will help to solve the problem of heat supply and electrification in near high-rise construction zones of the country, especially in sparsely populated parts, where centralized energy and heat supply is economically unacceptable, and will improve the ecological situation. The aim of the research is to analyze the geothermal resources of the main aquifers in Western Siberia and to develop recommendations for further study and use of heat and power resources of this territory. The article gives retrospective of state research programs and potential use of hydrothermal resources of administrative units geographically entering the territory under consideration. It is noted that by now such programs have been curtailed for various reasons, although there are examples of their successful and effective use in various fields of industry and agriculture. According to the decision of the Supreme Ecological Council of the State Duma Committee of the Russian Federation adopted in 2014 on the beginning of the development of federal targeted programs for the use of heat power water as a source of electricity and heat supply, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation made proposals for further research and use of hydrothermal waters in Western Siberia. Implementation of the programs proposed by the authors, alongside with other positive aspects, will solve the problems of heat supply in remote territories and improve the environmental situation in the region.
Scanning the welded joints of aluminium alloys using subminiature eddy-current transducers
Authors: Dmitriev Sergey , Ishkov Alexey , Malikov Vladimir , Sagalakov Anatoly
Published: March 2018

Aluminium has a reputation for ease of use, strength and durability. In addition to its exceptional aesthetic properties, solid aluminium does not burn. As architects, contractors, consultants and real estate owners look to meet stringent safety requirements in the construction and refurbishment of high-rise constructions for both residential and commercial uses, aluminium cladding provides an alternative that is not only safe but that is also durable and attractive. One of the ways to connect elements into a aluminium construction is welding. friction stir welding is one of the most efficient. The authors developed a measuring system based on subminiaturized eddy-current transducers aimed at examining locally the defects of welded joints in aluminium-magnesium alloy plates connected by means of friction stir welding. The authors made a modification of the Delyann filter, which allowed them to increase considerably the signal-noise relations. The dependency of the eddy-current transducer response on defects was provided, i.e. concealed cuts and openings inside the welded joint, at the frequencies of 100-10000 Hz of the exciting winding.
Design of solar systems in high-rise buildings
Authors: Kolosov Alexander , Chudinov Dmitry , Yaremenko Sergey
Published: March 2018

Nowadays, the renovation program is being implemented in the megapolises of Russia. Innovative high-rise buildings are built instead of morally and physically obsolete houses, where non-traditional renewable energy sources are used to the fullest extent, under the effect of which they are located. The possibility to use solar systems with variation of their design parameters is considered. It is established that solar systems have high technical potential. The share of heat load, that is provided by using solar energy, varies from 4 to 84% depending on the time of the year. Economic indicators restrain the use of such panels. The payback period is about 8 years at the current cost for thermal energy.
Possibilities of using aluminate cements in high-rise construction
Authors: Kaddo Maria
Published: March 2018

The article describes preferable ways of usage of alternative binders for high-rise construction based on aluminate cements. Possible areas of rational use of aluminate cements with the purpose of increasing the service life of materials and the adequacy of the durability of materials with the required durability of the building are analyzed. The results of the structure, shrinkage and physical and mechanical properties of concrete obtained from dry mixes on the base of aluminate cements for self-leveling floors are presented. To study the shrinkage mechanism of curing binders and to evaluate the role of evaporation of water in the development of shrinkage was undertaken experiment with simple unfilled systems: gypsum binder, portland cement and «corrosion resistant high alumina cement + gypsum». Principle possibility of binder with compensated shrinkage based on aluminate cement, gypsum and modern superplasticizers was defined, as well as cracking resistance and corrosion resistance provide durability of the composition.
Prospects for development of heat supply systems in high-rise districts
Authors: Zhila Viktor , Solovyeva Elena
Published: March 2018

The article analyzes the main advantages and disadvantages of centralized and decentralized heat supply systems in high-rise districts. The main schemes of centralized heat supply systems are considered. They include centralized heat supply from boiler houses, centralized heat supply from autonomous heat sources, heat supply from roof boiler houses and door-to-door heating supply. For each of these variant, the gas distribution systems are considered and analyzed. These systems vary depending on the heat source location. For each of these systems, technical and economic indicators are taken into account, the analysis of which allows choosing the best option for districts where high-rise buildings predominate.
Technological aspects of lift-slab method in high-rise-building construction.
Authors: Gaidukov Pavel V. , Pugach Evgeny M.
Published: March 2018

The utilization efficiency of slab lifting technology for high-rise-building construction is regarded in the present article. The main problem of the article is organizing technology abilities indication, which proves the method application possibility. There is the comparing of lifting technologies and sequential concrete-frame extension, as follows: the first one: the parameters are defined, and the second one: the organizational model is executed. This model defines borders of the usage methods, as well. There is the mathematic model creating, which describes boundary conditions of the present technologies usage. This model allows to predict construction efficiency for different stored-number buildings.
Effect of changing of the parameters of the cable network of monitoring systems of high-rise buildings on the basis of string converters on their operability
Authors: Gusev Nikolay , Svatovskaya Larisa , Kucherenko Alexandr
Published: March 2018

The article is devoted to the problem of improving the reliability of monitoring systems for the technical conditions of high-rise buildings. The improvement is based on string sensors with an impulsed excitation method ensuring the maximum signal-to-noise ratio at their output. The influence of the parameters of the monitoring system on the shape of the excitation impulses of the string, and, consequently, on the amplitude of the string vibration of the string converter is also considered in the article. It has been experimentally proved that the parameters of the excitation impulses of the string converters. The article presents the results of the experiments showing the effect of the fronts duration of the excitation impulses on the amplitude of the oscillations of the strings. The influence of the fronts duration of the excitation impulse with the frontal lengths up to 0.5 ms is studied at the excitation impulse duration not exceeding 0.5 times the duration of natural oscillation periods of the string. The experimental data are compared with the theoretical ones and hypotheses explaining their difference are advanced. The article suggests some methods of reducing the influence of the cable-switching equipment system parameters on the amplitude of string oscillations. The possibilities of improving the reliability of the systems developed on the basis of string sensors with an impulsed excitation method and used for monitoring the technical conditions of the high-rise buildings are proposed.
Proposed strategies for designing sustainable high-rise apartment buildings in Ho Chi Minh City responding to critical urban issues
Authors: Truong Nguyen Hoang Long , Giang Ngoc Huan , Duong Trong Binh
Published: March 2018

This paper aims at finding practical strategies for designing sustainable high-rise apartment buildings in Ho Chi Minh City responding to varied municipal issues. Two steps are made. Step-1 identifies the critical issues of Ho Chi Minh City which are associated with high-rise apartment building projects. Step-2 finds potential and applicable strategies which are solutions for the critical issues in Step-1 with reference of seven selected assessment methods. The study finds the set of 58 strategies applicable to designing sustainable high-rise apartment buildings in Ho Chi Minh City.
Two-stage commercial evaluation of engineering systems production projects for high-rise buildings
Authors: Bril Aleksander , Kalinina Olga , Levina Anastasia
Published: March 2018

The paper is devoted to the current and debatable problem of methodology of choosing the effective innovative enterprises for venture financing. A two-stage system of commercial innovation evaluation based on the UNIDO methodology is proposed. Engineering systems account for 25 to 40% of the cost of high-rise residential buildings. This proportion increases with the use of new construction technologies. Analysis of the construction market in Russia showed that the production of internal engineering systems elements based on innovative technologies has a growth trend. The production of simple elements is organized in small enterprises on the basis of new technologies. The most attractive for development is the use of venture financing of small innovative business. To improve the efficiency of these operations, the paper proposes a methodology for a two-stage evaluation of small business development projects. A two-stage system of commercial evaluation of innovative projects allows creating an information base for informed and coordinated decision-making on venture financing of enterprises that produce engineering systems elements for the construction business.
Life quality and living standards in big cities under conditions of high-rise construction development
Authors: Avdeeva Elena , Averina Tatiana , Kochetova Larisa
Published: March 2018

Modern urbanization processes occurring on a global scale inevitably lead to an increase in population density in large cities. People assess the state of life quality and living standards of megalopolises under conditions of high-rise construction development ambiguously. Using SWOT analysis, the authors distinguished positive and negative aspects of high-rise construction, highlighted threats to its development and its opportunities. The article considers the model of development of the city’s industry and infrastructure, which enables determining the optimal volume of production by sectors and branches of city economy in order to increase its innovative, production and economic potential and business activity.
Evaluation of possibility to increasing sustainability of high-rise buildings through use university intellectual property
Authors: Potekhin Igor , Mischenko Valeryi , Mottaeva Angela , Zheltenkov Alexander
Published: March 2018

In this article explained approach of valuation of intellectual property of Voronezh State Technical University, as her usefulness to increasing the sustainability and ecological safety of high-rise building. High-rise building is main type of buildings in modern cities. They include large volume of material mass, high volume of energy using and high volume of emissions. Using innovation solutions to improving ecology safety of high-rise buildings has large potential to city in whole. Explained in the article methods of calculation of effects helps to value sustainable solutions of present and future generations. Thus usefulness of patents express through usefulness regarding to high-rise building, including for sustainable development.
Use of formwork systems in high-rise construction
Authors: Kurakova Oksana
Published: March 2018

Erection of high quality buildings and structures within a reasonable time frame is the crucial factor for the competitiveness of any construction organization. The main material used in high-rise construction is insitu reinforced concrete. The technology of its use is directly related to the use of formwork systems. Formwork systems and formwork technologies basically determine the speed of construction and labor intensity of concreting operations. Therefore, it is also possible to achieve the goal of reducing the construction time and labor intensity of works performed by improving the technology of formwork systems use. Currently there are unresolved issues in the area of implementation of monolithic technology projects, and problems related to the selection of a formwork technology, high labor intensity of works, poor quality of materials and structures, etc. are the main ones. The article presents organizational and technological measures, by means of which introduction it is possible to shorten the duration of construction. A comparison of operations performed during formwork installation according to the conventional technology and taking into account the implemented organizational and technological measures is presented. The results of a comparative analysis of economic efficiency assessments are also presented on the example of a specific construction project before and after the implementation of the above mentioned measures. The study showed that introduction of the proposed organizational and technological model taking into account optimization of reinforcing and concreting works significantly improves the efficiency of a high-rise construction project. And further improvement of technologies for the use of insitu reinforced concrete is a promising direction in the construction of high-rise buildings.
Methodical approaches to value assessment and determination of the capitalization level of high-rise construction
Authors: Smirnov Vitaly , Dashkov Leonid , Gorshkov Roman , Burova Olga , Romanova Alina
Published: March 2018

The article presents the analysis of the methodological approaches to cost estimation and determination of the capitalization level of high-rise construction objects. Factors determining the value of real estate were considered, three main approaches for estimating the value of real estate objects are given. The main methods of capitalization estimation were analyzed, the most reasonable method for determining the level of capitalization of high-rise buildings was proposed. In order to increase the value of real estate objects, the author proposes measures that enable to increase significantly the capitalization of the enterprise through more efficient use of intangible assets and goodwill.
Methodology for determining the investment attractiveness of construction of high-rise buildings
Authors: Nezhnikova Ekaterina , Kashirin Valentin , Davydova Yana , Kazakova Svetlana
Published: March 2018

The article presents the analysis of the existing methods for assessing the investment attractiveness of high-rise construction. The authors determined and justified the primary choice of objects and territories that are the most attractive for the development of high-rise construction. A system of risk indicators has been developed that allow making a quantitative adjustment for a particular project in the evaluation of the efficiency of investment projects. The study is aimed at developing basic methodological concepts for a comparative evaluation of the prospects of construction of high-rise facilities that allow to take into consideration the features of investment in construction and to enable quantitative evaluation of the investment effectiveness in high-rise construction.
Formation of costs of high-rise objects of housing and civil purpose based on enlarged norms
Authors: Vorotyntseva Anna , Ovsiannikov Andrei , Bolgov Vladimir
Published: March 2018

When determining the cost of capital construction objects, for purposes of pre-design workings out and purposes of initial maximum initial price determination on tenders, construction price norms are used (CPNs). Modern CPNs are not designed to determine the value of high-rise buildings. It is necessary to adapt modern CPNs to get opportunity for the possibility to take into account special cost factors in determining the cost of high-rise buildings. The main ways can be: selection of new representative objects or application of additional correction factors.
Justification of directions of technological and price audit systems changes for the purpose of high-rise construction innovating
Authors: Rogacheva Yana , Panenkov Andrey , Petrikova Zinaida , Nezhnikova Ekaterina
Published: March 2018

Improving the quality of high-rise buildings under modern conditions should be based not only on compliance with the norms of technical regulations, but also on ensuring energy efficiency, environmental friendliness, and intellectuality, which can be achieved only through the introduction of innovations at all stages of the life cycle of the investment project. Authors of this article justified the need for a mechanism of technological and price audit of projects. They also suggested the model of life cycle of organizational and economic changes, connected with implantation of the mechanism of projects audit. They showed innovation character of ecological high-rise construction for the whole life cycle. Authors also made proposals to change the audit system for high-rise construction projects in the focus of its environmental friendliness.
Development of national standards related to the integrated safety and security of high-rise buildings
Authors: Voskresenskaya Elena , Vorona-Slivinskaya Lubov
Published: March 2018

The article considers the issues of developing national standards for high-rise construction. The system of standards should provide industrial, operational, economic and terrorist safety of high-rise buildings and facilities. Modern standards of high-rise construction should set the rules for designing engineering systems of high-rise buildings, which will ensure the integrated security of buildings, increase their energy efficiency and reduce the consumption of resources in construction and operation.
Determining the Supply of Material Resources for High-Rise Construction: Scenario Approach
Authors: Minnullina Anna , Vasiliev Vladimir
Published: March 2018

This article presents a multi-criteria approach to determining the supply of material resources for high-rise construction under certain and uncertain conditions, which enables integrating a number of existing models into a fairly compact generalised economic and mathematical model developed for two extreme scenarios.
Project risk management in the construction of high-rise buildings
Authors: Titarenko Boris , Hasnaoui Amir , Titarenko Roman , Buzuk Liliya
Published: March 2018

This paper shows the project risk management methods, which allow to better identify risks in the construction of high-rise buildings and to manage them throughout the life cycle of the project. One of the project risk management processes is a quantitative analysis of risks. The quantitative analysis usually includes the assessment of the potential impact of project risks and their probabilities. This paper shows the most popular methods of risk probability assessment and tries to indicate the advantages of the robust approach over the traditional methods. Within the framework of the project risk management model a robust approach of P. Huber is applied and expanded for the tasks of regression analysis of project data. The suggested algorithms used to assess the parameters in statistical models allow to obtain reliable estimates. A review of the theoretical problems of the development of robust models built on the methodology of the minimax estimates was done and the algorithm for the situation of asymmetric “contamination” was developed.
Broadband absorption with gradient metasurfaces
Authors: Kwon Hoyeong , Chalabi Hamidreza , Alù Andrea
Published: March 2018

A metasurface with appropriately designed transverse spatial inhomogeneities can provide the desired phase redistribution in response to an incident wave with arbitrary incident angle. This property of gradient metasurfaces has been used to modify light propagation in unusual manners, to transform the impinging optical wavefront with large flexibility. In this work, we show how gradient metasurfaces can be tailored to offer high absorption in thin absorptive layers, and how to design realistic metasurfaces for this purpose using dielectric materials.
Prompt gamma rays from 252Cf(sf) and their angular distributions
Authors: Oberstedt Andreas , Billnert Robert , Gatera Angélique , Göök Alf , Oberstedt Stephan
Published: March 2018

In a recent measurement of prompt γ rays from the spontaneous fission of 252Cf an experimental setup was chosen that allowed the study of angular correlations between γ rays and the nuclei from which they were emitted. The observed angular distribution of prompt fission γ rays was then analyzed to estimate the relative contributions from radiation of different multipolarity. First preliminary results are presented and compared to previous angular correlation measurements from different fission processes and recent results from calculations with the Monte Carlo Hauser-Feshbach code FIFRELIN.
Role of the excitation energy of the compound nucleus in binary decay processes
Authors: Paşca H. , Andreev A.V. , Adamian G.G. , Antonenko N.V.
Published: March 2018

Employing the improved scission-point model, the isotopic and excitation energy trends of the charge distribution of fission fragments are studied in fission of even-even Th isotopes at low and high excitation energies.
Measurement of the prompt fissionγ-ray spectrum of 242Pu
Authors: Urlass Sebastian , Beyer Roland , Junghans Arnd Rudolf , Kögler Toni , Schwengner Ronald , Wagner Andreas
Published: March 2018

The prompt γ-ray spectrum of fission fragments is important in understanding the dynamics of the fission process, as well as for nuclear engineering in terms of predicting the γ-ray heating in nuclear reactors. The γ-ray spectrum measured from the fission fragments of the spontaneous fission of 242Pu will be presented here. A fission chamber containing in total 37mg of 242Pu was used as active sample. The γ-quanta were detected with high time- and energy-resolution using LaBr3 and HPGe detectors, respectively, in coincidence with spontaneous fission events detected by the fission chamber. The acquired γ-ray spectra were corrected for the detector response using the spectrum stripping method. About 70 million fission events were detected which results in a very low statistical uncertainty and a wider energy range covered compared to previous measurements. The prompt fission γ-ray spectrum measured with the HPGe detectors shows structures that allow conclusions about the nature of γ-ray transitions in the fission fragments. The average photon multiplicity of 8.2 and the average total energy release by prompt photons per fission event of about 6.8 MeV were determined for both detector types.
A method for phenomenological and chemical kinetics study of autocatalytic reactive dissolution by optical microscopy. The case of uranium dioxide dissolution in nitric acid media
Authors: Marc Philippe , Magnaldo Alastair , Godard Jérémy , Schaer Éric
Published: March 2018

Dissolution is a milestone of the head-end of hydrometallurgical processes, as the stabilization rates of the chemical elements determine the process performance and hold-up. This study aims at better understanding the chemical and physico-chemical phenomena of uranium dioxide dissolution reactions in nitric acid media in the Purex process, which separates the reusable materials and the final wastes of the spent nuclear fuels. It has been documented that the attack of sintering-manufactured uranium dioxide solids occurs through preferential attack sites, which leads to the development of cracks in the solids. Optical microscopy observations show that in some cases, the development of these cracks leads to the solid cleavage. It is shown here that the dissolution of the detached fragments is much slower than the process of the complete cleavage of the solid, and occurs with no disturbing phenomena, like gas bubbling. This fact has motivated the measurement of dissolution kinetics using optical microscopy and image processing. By further discriminating between external resistance and chemical reaction, the “true” chemical kinetics of the reaction have been measured, and the highly autocatalytic nature of the reaction confirmed. Based on these results, the constants of the chemical reactions kinetic laws have also been evaluated.
First record and DNA barcodes of the aquarium shrimp, Neocaridina davidi, in Central Europe from thermally polluted River Oder canal, Poland
Authors: Jabłońska Aleksandra , Mamos Tomasz , Gruszka Piotr , Szlauer-Łukaszewska Agnieszka , Grabowski Michał
Published: March 2018

Neocaridina davidi (Bouvier, 1904) is an exotic freshwater shrimp originating from Asia and often kept as a pet in amateur aquarium cultures. Herewith, we report on the second finding of N. davidi in fresh waters of Europe and the first discovery of that species both in Poland and in Central Europe. The species was found in samples collected in 2003, 2013 and 2017 in the thermally polluted canal connected to the River Oder, south of Gryfino, in the vicinity of the Dolna Odra Power Plant. The taxonomic identity of the collected shrimp was confirmed by the standard DNA barcoding procedure, using a 610 bp-long fragment of cytochrome oxidase I (COI). The findings spanning more than a decade suggest that N. davidi may have established a self-reproducing population at this site. Following the finding of Atyaephyra desmarestii (Millet, 1831) in 2000, Neocaridina davidi is the second freshwater shrimp species found in the River Oder and in Poland.
Optimal partial transport problem with Lagrangian costs
Authors: Igbida Noureddine , Nguyen Van Thanh
Published: March 2018

We introduce a dual dynamical formulation for the optimal partial transport problem with Lagrangian costs

cL(x,y) := ξ∈Lip([0,1];ℝN)inf {∫01 L(ξ(t), ξ˙(t))dt : ξ(0) = x, ξ(1) = y}
based on a constrained Hamilton–Jacobi equation. Optimality condition is given that takes the form of a system of PDEs in some way similar to constrained mean field games. The equivalent formulations are then used to give numerical approximations to the optimal partial transport problem via augmented Lagrangian methods. One of advantages is that the approach requires only values of L and does not need to evaluate cL(x, y), for each pair of endpoints x and y, which comes from a variational problem. This method also provides at the same time active submeasures and the associated optimal transportation.
Strong Karush–Kuhn–Tucker optimality conditions for multiobjective semi-infinite programming via tangential subdifferential
Authors: Tung Le Thanh
Published: March 2018

The main aim of this paper is to study strong Karush–Kuhn–Tucker (KKT) optimality conditions for nonsmooth multiobjective semi-infinite programming (MSIP) problems. By using tangential subdifferential and suitable regularity conditions, we establish some strong necessary optimality conditions for some types of efficient solutions of nonsmooth MSIP problems. In addition to the theoretical results, some examples are provided to illustrate the advantages of our outcomes.
Impact of Obesity on Outcomes in Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Panayi Adriana , Agha Riaz , Sieber Brady , Orgill Dennis
Published: March 2018

Background Increased rates of both breast cancer and obesity have resulted in more obese women seeking breast reconstruction. Studies demonstrate that these women are at increased risk for perioperative complications. A systematic review was conducted to assess the outcomes in obese women who underwent breast reconstruction following mastectomy.

Methods Cochrane, PUBMED, and EMBASE electronic databases were screened and data were extracted from included studies. The clinical outcomes assessed were surgical complications, medical complications, length of postoperative hospital stay, reoperation rate, and patient satisfaction.

Results Out of 33 studies met the inclusion criteria for the review and 29 provided enough data to be included in the meta-analysis (71,368 patients, 20,061 of whom were obese). Obese women (body mass index > 30 kg/m2) were 2.29 times more likely to experience surgical complications (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.19–2.39; p < 0.00001), 2.89 times more likely to have medical complications (95% CI 2.50–3.35; p < 0.00001), and had a 1.91 times higher risk of reoperation (95% CI 1.75–2.07; p < 0.00001). The most common complication, wound dehiscence, was 2.51 times more likely in obese women (95% CI 1.80–3.52; p < 0.00001). Sensitivity analysis confirmed that obese women were more likely to experience surgical complications (risk ratio 2.36, 95% CI 2.22–2.52; p < 0.00001).

Conclusions This study provides evidence that obesity increases the risk of complications in both implant-based and autologous reconstruction. Additional prospective and observational studies are needed to determine if the weight reduction prior to reconstruction reduces the perioperative risks associated with obesity.
Successful Rehabilitation of a 22-Year-Old Outpatient after Heart Transplantation with Severe Complications
Authors: Kandel Michel
Published: March 2018

Background There is a consensus that exercise therapy is an important component in patient rehabilitation after heart transplantation (HTX). Recent studies showed that intensive interval training is more effective than low to moderate intensity training. Several studies described reinnervation of both the para- and sympathetic nervous system. The consequences of these findings have, however, not been implemented and up-to-date guidelines on exercise prescription in HTX do not exist. Furthermore, in clinical practice comorbidity and negative side-effects can aggravate the rehabilitation process after HTX.

Objective This case report describes a successful individual rehabilitation programme.

Method After an orthotope HTX A 22-year-old male patient suffered from severe complications with a cerebrovascular accident causing a hemiplegia and an acute both-sided renal failure. Massive restrictions in daily activities due to physical, social and psychological factors became apparent. Although these factors affected the rehabilitation process, they did not inhibit the successful application of an intensive interval exercise programme.

Results/Conclusions Despite massive initial restrictions the patient well tolerated a consequent exercise therapy programme consisting of high intensity training and attained independency and a better quality of life level.
(1 + 1) Newton–Hooke group for the simple and damped harmonic oscillator
Authors: Brzykcy Przemysław
Published: March 2018

It is demonstrated that, in the framework of the orbit method, a simple and damped harmonic oscillator is indistinguishable at the level of an abstract Lie algebra. This opens a possibility for treating the dissipative systems within the orbit method. An in-depth analysis of the coadjoint orbits of the (1 + 1) dimensional Newton-Hooke group is presented. Furthermore, it is argued that the physical interpretation is carried by a specific realisation of the Lie algebra of smooth functions on a phase space rather than by an abstract Lie algebra.
Rate of convergence toward Hartree dynamics with singular interaction potential
Authors: Chen Li , Lee Ji Oon , Lee Jinyeop
Published: March 2018

We consider a system of N-bosons with a two-body interaction potential V∈L2(R3)+L∞(R3), possibly more singular than the Coulomb interaction. We show that, with H1(R3) initial data, the difference between the many-body Schrödinger evolution in the mean-field regime and the corresponding Hartree dynamics is of order 1/N, for any fixed time. The N-dependence of the bound is optimal.
Comparison of plume dynamics for laser ablated metals: Al and Ti
Authors: Bauer William , Perram Glen P. , Haugan Timothy
Published: March 2018

Emissive plumes from pulsed laser ablation of bulk Ti and Al from KrF laser irradiation at laser fluence up to 3.5 J/cm2 and argon background pressures of 0–1 Torr have been observed using gated intensified charged-coupled device imagery. Mass loss for Ti increases from 0.1 to 0.8 μg/pulse as pulse energy increase from 174 to 282 mJ/pulse (35–170 photons/atom) and decreases by ∼30% as pressure increases from vacuum to 1 Torr. Early plume energies are described by the free expansion velocities of 1.57 ± 0.02 and of 1.81 ± 0.07 cm/μs for Ti and Al, respectively, and up to 90% of the incoming laser energy can be attributed to the Al shock front in the mid-field. The ablation thresholds of 90 ± 27 mJ (1.12 ± 0.34 J/cm2) for Ti and 126 ± 13 mJ (1.58 ± 0.16 J/cm2) for Al also represent 30%–70% of the incident laser energy. The decrease in mass loss at higher pressures is attributed to plasma shielding of the target surface.
Dynamics of a parametrically excited simple pendulum
Authors: Depetri Gabriela I. , Pereira Felipe A. C. , Marin Boris , Baptista Murilo S. , Sartorelli J. C.
Published: March 2018

The dynamics of a parametric simple pendulum submitted to an arbitrary angle of excitation ϕ was investigated experimentally by simulations and analytically. Analytical calculations for the loci of saddle-node bifurcations corresponding to the creation of resonant orbits were performed by applying Melnikov's method. However, this powerful perturbative method cannot be used to predict the existence of odd resonances for a vertical excitation within first order corrections. Yet, we showed that period-3 resonances indeed exist in such a configuration. Two degenerate attractors of different phases, associated with the same loci of saddle-node bifurcations in parameter space, are reported. For tilted excitation, the degeneracy is broken due to an extra torque, which was confirmed by the calculation of two distinct loci of saddle-node bifurcations for each attractor. This behavior persists up to ϕ≈7π/180, and for inclinations larger than this, only one attractor is observed. Bifurcation diagrams were constructed experimentally for ϕ=π/8 to demonstrate the existence of self-excited resonances (periods smaller than three) and hidden oscillations (for periods greater than three).
Improving the morphological stability of nickel germanide by tantalum and tungsten additions
Authors: Jablonka L. , Kubart T. , Gustavsson F. , Descoins M. , Mangelinck D. , Zhang S.-L. , Zhang Z.
Published: March 2018

To enhance the morphological stability of NiGe, a material of interest as a source drain-contact in Ge-based field effect transistors, Ta or W, is added as either an interlayer or a capping layer. The efficacy of this Ta or W addition is evaluated with pure NiGe as a reference. While interlayers increase the NiGe formation temperature, capping layers do not retard the NiGe formation. Regardless of the initial position of Ta or W, the morphological stability of NiGe against agglomeration can be improved by up to 100 °C. The improved thermal stability can be ascribed to an inhibited surface diffusion, owing to Ta or W being located on top of NiGe after annealing, as confirmed by means of transmission electron microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectrometry, and atom probe tomography. The latter also shows a 0.3 at. % solubility of Ta in NiGe at 450 °C, while no such incorporation of W is detectable.
Locally-enhanced light scattering by a monocrystalline silicon wafer
Authors: Ma Li , Zhang Pan , Li Zhen-Hua , Liu Chun-Xiang , Li Xing , Zhan Zi-Jun , Ren Xiao-Rong , He Chang-Wei , Chen Chao , Cheng Chuan-Fu
Published: March 2018

We study the optical properties of light scattering by a monocrystalline silicon wafer, by using transparent material to replicate its surface structure and illuminating a fabricated sample with a laser source. The experimental results show that the scattering field contains four spots of concentrated intensity with high local energy, and these spots are distributed at the four vertices of a square with lines of intensity linking adjacent spots. After discussing simulations of and theory about the formation of this light scattering, we conclude that the scattering field is formed by the effects of both geometrical optics and physical optics. Moreover, we calculate the central angle of the spots in the light field, and the result indicates that the locally-enhanced intensity spots have a definite scattering angle. These results may possibly provide a method for improving energy efficiency within mono-Si based solar cells.
Noninvasive detection of macrophage activation with single-cell resolution through machine learning
Authors: Pavillon Nicolas , Hobro Alison J. , Akira Shizuo , Smith Nicholas I.
Published: March 2018

Significance

We developed a method enabling the noninvasive study of fine cellular responses that we applied to macrophage activation. The technique is based on a multimodal label-free microscopy system that simultaneously retrieves both morphological and molecular information based on quantitative phase imaging and Raman spectroscopy, respectively. The parameters obtained from these measurements are processed through a machine learning algorithm that makes it possible to reliably assess the macrophage activation state at single-cell level. We found that while each parameter set (morphology and Raman) can detect the activation state, they provide complementary information. Morphology is symptomatic of downstream phenotypes that make the detection dose-dependent, while Raman is indicative of upstream molecular changes that enable the detection of selective inhibition of activation pathways.
Metabolic shift from glycogen to trehalose promotes lifespan and healthspan in
Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Seo Yonghak , Kingsley Samuel , Walker Griffin , Mondoux Michelle A. , Tissenbaum Heidi A.
Published: March 2018

Significance

Increased added sugar is contributing to a rise in aging-related diseases. Here, we use the nematode,
Caenorhabditis elegans
, which store sugar as both glycogen and trehalose. We demonstrate that by modifying sugar storage, we can prevent the harmful effects of a high-sugar diet. Our data show that a metabolic shift increasing the glucose disaccharide trehalose, and decreasing the glucose polysaccharide glycogen, extends lifespan and promotes healthy aging. The positive effects of trehalose require the DAF-16 transcription factor and the process of autophagy. Our data reveal the benefits of trehalose for prolonged health in the face of our high-sugar environment.
Bifurcation-enhanced ultrahigh sensitivity of a buckled cantilever
Authors: An Sangmin , Kim Bongsu , Kwon Soyoung , Moon Geol , Lee Manhee , Jhe Wonho
Published: March 2018

Significance

This work brings together the fields of nonlinear dynamics and precision measurement, aiming to develop a highly sensitive nonlinear mechanical force sensor. We use dynamic force spectroscopy of the buckled cantilever tip in an ambient condition, which allows sensitive detection of the noise-induced flipping near the bifurcation point. Key parameters, such as the fluctuation enhancement and the activation barrier of the buckling-to-flipping transition, lead to realization of the bifurcation-enhanced sensor. We contiguously observe the buckling–flipping dynamic transition of the softened tip resulting from the competition between fluctuation and bifurcation, providing the in situ continuous sensing of the mechanical vibrations. This work not only furthers our understanding of nonlinear dynamics at the nanoscale, but also is a stepping stone toward the highly sensitive mechanical sensor.
Vaccination can drive an increase in frequencies of antibiotic resistance among nonvaccine serotypes ofStreptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Obolski Uri , Lourenço José , Thompson Craig , Thompson Robin , Gori Andrea , Gupta Sunetra
Published: March 2018

Significance

Vaccination is an important tool for decreasing the spread and disease burden of the widespread bacterial pathogenStreptococcus pneumoniae. However, current vaccines target only a subset of pneumococcal serotypes, and the nonvaccine types often remain at high frequencies after vaccination. In some cases, nonvaccine types display a disconcerting increase in antibiotic resistance frequencies after a population has been vaccinated by the commonly used PCV7 or PCV13, and the reason for this is unclear. Using mathematical modeling, we show that removal of competition with the vaccine types may induce this rise in antibiotic resistance. Our model explores the conditions leading to such an increase and contributes to a better understanding of this process.
Key comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K1 of the air-kerma standards of the MKEH, Hungary and the BIPM in 60Co gamma radiation
Authors: Kessler C , Burns D , Machula G
Published: March 2018

A comparison of the standards for air kerma of the Hungarian Trade Licensing Office (MKEH), Hungary and of the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) was carried out in the 60Co radiation beam of the BIPM in March 2016. The comparison result, evaluated as a ratio of the MKEH and the BIPM standards for air kerma, is 1.0047 with a combined standard uncertainty of 1.9 × 10−3. The results for an indirect comparison made at the same time are consistent with the direct results at the level of 2.6 parts in 103. The results are analysed and presented in terms of degrees of equivalence, suitable for entry in the BIPM key comparison database.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Evidence from the past: exploitation as cause of commercial extinction of autumn-spawning herring in the Gulf of Riga, Baltic Sea
Authors: MacKenzie Brian R , Ojaveer Henn
Published: March 2018

Historical marine ecology has shown that many exploited animal populations declined before their abundance was quantified by scientists. This situation applies for autumn-spawning herring (Clupea harengus) in the Baltic Sea. This stock used to be the dominant spawning group of herring in the early decades of the 1900s and supported several commercially important fisheries, including in the Gulf of Riga (GoR). However, the GoR stock declined during the 1960–1970s and has not recovered. Neither the former biomass nor reasons for its decline are known. Here, we recover and analyse historical fishery and biological data and conduct population development simulations to evaluate the hypothesis that exploitation may have been sufficient to lead the stock towards commercial extinction. We found that the estimated exploitation pattern, including exploitation of juveniles, was unsustainable and led to stock decline. The pattern of exploitation of this stock was consistent with that which caused collapses of other herring stocks, which have since recovered. If autumn-spawning herring in the GoR recovers, our findings indicate that this stock could support sustainable annual yields of ∼4000 t and diversify the fishery resource base, which is presently restricted to a relatively small number of species for essentially local coastal inhabitants.