bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-channel time division multiple access timeslot scheduling with link recovery for multi-hop wireless sensor networks
Authors: Lee Junhee , Jeong Wun-Cheol , Choi Byeong-Cheol
Published: August 2017

In this article, we propose a time division multiple access scheduling algorithm for end-to-end on-time packet delivery in multi-hop wireless sensor networks. Our proposed algorithm establishes a new communication path to substitute the old path including the link failed and schedules communication links on the new path by allocating timeslots satisfying end-to-end delay bound. Max–min optimization is employed to maximize the number of dedicated timeslots to establish the substitute path in the event of the next link failure. We evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm using QualNet network simulator and compare it with the performance of the algorithm that minimizes the end-to-end delay. Our numerical results show that the path survival ratio of the proposed algorithm is approximately two times higher when large number of communication links fails. In addition, we apply the global recovery and local recovery schemes to observe the increase in the overhead message exchanges. Compared to the global recovery scheme, local recovery scheme requires six times less control messages to establish the substitute path when a small number of link failures occur, whereas more than 90% communication paths survive.
A privacy protection mechanism for numerical control information in Internet of things
Authors: Li Yunfa , Li Mingyi
Published: August 2017

The application of numerical control machine tool in the Internet of things has attracted large number of attention. It is a complex network system that integrates sensor network, Internet, and mobile communication network. However, some security issues have not been solved by Internet security technology. In order to enhance the security of system, we, respectively, propose a lightweight authentication method for wireless sensor networks and an Internet data privacy protection strategy based on organizational characteristics of computerized numerical control machine tool and the numerical control information transmission mode in Internet of things. The two methods constitute a privacy protection mechanism for numerical control information in Internet of things. In order to show the effectiveness of the privacy protection mechanisms, series of analysis about safety is presented. Analysis results show that this mechanism can ensure the security of information and the privacy of the numerical control machine tool in Internet of things.
Hand Surgery Resources Exceed American Health Literacy
Authors: Cook Julia A. , Sasor Sarah E. , Tholpady Sunil S. , Momeni Arash , Chu Michael W.
Published: August 2017

Background: The National Institutes of Health, American Medical Association, and US National Library of Medicine recommend that educational material for patients be written at a sixth-grade reading level. The purpose of this study is to assess the complexity of hand surgery information on academic plastic and orthopedic surgery websites. Methods: An online search was performed for all hand surgery patient education materials provided by institutions with plastic and orthopedic surgery training programs. Readability analyses were conducted using the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Index, Gunning Fog Score, Automated Readability Index, and Coleman-Liau Index. A 2-tailed z test was used to compare means. Results: Seventy-six institutions with both plastic and orthopedic surgery training programs were identified; 42 had educational material available online. The average readability for all hand-related information was at the 11.92 grade reading level. Information regarding de Quervain tenosynovitis had the highest grade level for all plastic surgery procedures (13.45). Hand arthritis had the highest grade level for all orthopedic surgery procedures (12.82). Ganglion cysts had the lowest grade level for both plastic and orthopedic surgery (10.15 and 11.01, respectively; P = .12). Carpal tunnel release was the most commonly described procedure overall. There were no differences in text complexity among geographic regions. Conclusions: Online patient resources for common hand ailments are too complex for the average patient to understand. Efforts should be made to provide materials at the recommended sixth-grade reading level to improve patient education and improve the physician-patient relationship.
Nonlinear membrane stiffness model of a tennis racquet string bed
Authors: Hong Huihui , Han Liang , Perkins NC , Hu Chuan , Barber JR
Published: August 2017

The overall stiffness of the string bed of a tennis racquet depends on numerous factors including the size and shape of the string bed, initial string tension, string spacing, and string geometric and material properties. This article contributes an analytical model of the string bed that employs nonlinear membrane theory to estimate static stiffness. The partial differential equation governing string bed deformation is discretized using a one-term Galerkin approximation that employs a logarithmic shape function for the string bed deflection. The resulting force–displacement relation at the centre of the string bed yields the string bed stiffness as a function of the major design parameters, including the shape and size of the frame, string tension used during stringing, and string spacing, diameter, and elastic modulus. To assess the accuracy of this model, the predicted force–displacement relation was compared to that measured from experiments on a string bed instrumented with a load cell and photoelectric (laser) displacement sensor. Experimental results confirm that the analytical model yields accurate estimates of the string bed load–displacement characteristics, especially for displacements of 5 mm or less.
Injuries in Australian Rules Football: An Overview of Injury Rates, Patterns, and Mechanisms Across All Levels of Play
Authors: Saw Richard , Finch Caroline F. , Samra David , Baquie Peter , Cardoso Tanusha , Hope Danielle , Orchard John W.
Published: August 2017

Context:

The nature of Australian rules football (Australian football) predisposes both unique and common injuries compared with those sustained in other football codes. The game involves a combination of tackling, kicking, high-speed running (more than other football codes), and jumping. Two decades of injury surveillance has identified common injuries at the professional level (Australian Football League [AFL]).

Objective:

To provide an overview of injuries in Australian rules football, including injury rates, patterns, and mechanisms across all levels of play.

Study Design:

A narrative review of AFL injuries, football injury epidemiology, and biomechanical and physiological attributes of relevant injuries.

Results:

The overall injury incidence in the 2015 season was 41.7 injuries per club per season, with a prevalence of 156.2 missed games per club per season. Lower limb injuries are most prevalent, with hamstring strains accounting for 19.1 missed games per club per season. Hamstring strains relate to the volume of high-speed running required in addition to at times having to collect the ball while running in a position of hip flexion and knee extension. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are also prevalent and can result from contact and noncontact incidents. In the upper limb, shoulder sprains and dislocations account for 11.5 missed games per club per season and largely resulted from tackling and contact. Concussion is less common in AFL than other tackling sports but remains an important injury, which has notably become more prevalent in recent years, theorized to be due to a more conservative approach to management. Although there are less injury surveillance data for non-AFL players (women, community-level, children), many of these injuries appear to also be common across all levels of play.

Clinical Relevance:

An understanding of injury profiles and mechanisms in Australian football is crucial in identifying methods to reduce injury risk and prepare players for the demands of the game.
Improving kNowledge Transfer to Efficaciously RAise the level of Contemporary Treatment in Heart Failure (INTERACT-in-HF): Study protocol of a mixed methods study
Authors: Baldewijns Karolien , Bektas Sema , Boyne Josiane , Rohde Carla , De Maesschalck Lieven , De Bleser Leentje , Brandenburg Vincent , Knackstedt Christian , Devillé Aleidis , Sanders-Van Wijk Sandra , Brunner La Rocca Hans-Peter
Published: August 2017

Heart failure is a complex disease with poor outcome. This complexity may prevent care providers from covering all aspects of care. This could not only be relevant for individual patient care, but also for care organisation. Disease management programmes applying a multidisciplinary approach are recommended to improve heart failure care. However, there is a scarcity of research considering how disease management programme perform, in what form they should be offered, and what care and support patients and care providers would benefit most. Therefore, the Improving kNowledge Transfer to Efficaciously Raise the level of Contemporary Treatment in Heart Failure (INTERACT-in-HF) study aims to explore the current processes of heart failure care and to identify factors that may facilitate and factors that may hamper heart failure care and guideline adherence. Within a cross-sectional mixed method design in three regions of the North-West part of Europe, patients (n = 88) and their care providers (n = 59) were interviewed. Prior to the in-depth interviews, patients were asked to complete three questionnaires: The Dutch Heart Failure Knowledge scale, The European Heart Failure Self-care Behaviour Scale and The global health status and social economic status. In parallel, retrospective data based on records from these (n = 88) and additional patients (n = 82) are reviewed. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim for analysis.
3D Printing to Model Surgical Repair of Complex Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries
Authors: Sahayaraj R. Anto , Ramanan Sowmya , Subramanyan Raghavan , Cherian Kotturathu Mammen
Published: August 2017

We report the use of three-dimensional (3D) modeling to plan surgery for physiologic repair of congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries with pulmonary atresia, dextrocardia, and complex intra cardiac anatomy. Based on measurements made from the 3D printed model of the actual patient’s anatomy, we anticipated using a composite valved conduit (Dacron tube graft, decellularized bovine jugular vein, and aortic homograft) to establish left ventricle-to-pulmonary artery continuity with relief of stenosis involving the pulmonary artery confluence and bilateral branch pulmonary arteries.
Between enabling and provider approach: Key shifts in the national housing policy in India and Brazil
Authors: Sengupta Urmi , Murtagh Brendan , D’Ottaviano Camila , Pasternak Suzana
Published: August 2017

With the world becoming increasingly urban, housing poverty in the global south has made the metaphor ‘planet of slums’ a global reality. This paper revisits the dichotomy of enabler vs. provider debate in housing policy that preoccupied housing scholars in the last few decades. Drawing on the government intervention in Brazil and India, it is argued that the transformative and adaptive capacity of enabling strategy has now come of an age. Among other things, the paper makes a close reading of the historical and geographical (re)constitution of the process of housing delivery in these countries and argues that they have adopted enabling strategies along with closely intertwined strategies of crisis management and show a clear predisposition towards earlier provider approach of state administered, large-scale housing programmes to support the low-income households. Thus, as one policy approach follows another, the discursive space for the government policy doctrine acquires a layered structure, which contains elements of both provider and enabling approaches. Whilst these developments, still evolutionary, challenges remain in the form of conceptual contradictions that continue to obscure our approach towards low-income housing policies in the global South. Arguably on this basis, considerably more, attention should be given to providing housing to the poor in the global South.
Modified Controlled Encircling Scleral Buckle for Retinal Detachment
Authors: Skondra Dimitra , Westerfeld Corey , Vavvas Demetrios G.
Published: August 2017

During encircling scleral buckle placement, the ends of the element are tightened to achieve a shortened radius of the eye. The determining factor of the final buckle height is subjective using usually a combination of the buckle height visualized with the degree of scleral indentation and can be difficult to be taught early on to trainees. Here, we describe a case series in which a modified controlled encircling scleral buckle technique that simplifies and standardizes the achievement of reproducible buckle height of about a 1 mm is objective and easy to be taught. This novel encircling scleral buckling technique successfully achieves a good postoperative scleral buckle height in a reproducible and standardized fashion using objective measurements and it is easier to be taught to trainees.
The number of CD56dim NK cells in the graft has a major impact on risk of disease relapse following allo-HSCT
Authors: Maggs Luke , Kinsella Francesca , Chan Y. L. Tracey , Eldershaw Suzy , Murray Duncan , Nunnick Jane , Bird Joanne , Craddock Charles , Zuo Jianmin , Malladi Ram , Moss Paul
Published: August 2017

Key Points

A stem cell graft NK cell dose below 6.3 × 106 cells per kg associates with risk of disease relapse following T-cell–depleted allo-HSCT. Clinical outcomes of patients undergoing allo-HSCT may be improved by setting an NK cell threshold within donor stem cell grafts.
Dynamic Specification of Initial Structures in Parallel Cascade Selection Molecular Dynamics (PaCS-MD) Efficiently Promotes Biologically Relevant Rare Events
Authors: Harada Ryuhei , Shigeta Yasuteru
Published: August 2017

Parallel Cascade Selection Molecular Dynamics (PaCS-MD) is an enhanced conformational sampling method for generating structural transition pathways between a given reactant and a product. To promote structural transitions from the reactant to the product, PaCS-MD repeats cycles of conformational resampling of (1) reasonable initial structures and (2) short-time MD simulations restarting the structures with renewed velocities. Appropriately setting a number of these initial structures is essential for efficient PaCS-MD.

We propose a novel, optimal algorithm for specifying suitable initial structures, ninitial, to find structural transitions; this is referred to as dn-PaCS-MD. PaCS-MD typically has a fixed ninitial, while in dn-PaCS-MD it is dynamically reset according to a minimum root mean square deviation (RMSD), defined as an RMSD derivative. dn-PaCS-MD, with the dynamic ninitial accelerates structural transitions to the product, compared to the original PaCS-MD with the fixed ninitial, as confirmed in Chignolin protein-folding. This algorithm was also applied to Human-β-defensin 2, whose X-ray and NMR structures differ in the N-terminal region. Finally, we compared forward and backward transition pathways from the former to the latter generated by our method, and estimated a free energy barrier between them, creating new possibilities to visualize the NMR and X-ray structures in solution.
Synthesis of Cyclic Oligomers of 4,4′′-Diethynyl-4′,5′-dioctyl-o-terphenyl Using Eglington Coupling Reaction: Formation of Large Cyclic Oligomers as Major Products under Standard Conditions
Authors: Sako Ikumi , Kishimoto Naoki , Otani Hiroyuki , Nishiuchi Tomohiko , Shimizu Hideyuki , Iyoda Masahiko
Published: August 2017

Dimer 2, trimer 3, hexamer 6, octamer 8, and decamer 10 of 4,4′′-diethynyl-4′,5′-dioctyl-o-terphenyl 1 were synthesized by using copper(II) acetate-mediated Eglington coupling reaction of 1 in pyridine or pyridine–methanol. Although dimer 2 and trimer 3 were formed as major products under high dilution conditions, large oligomers such as hexamer 6, octamer 8, and decamer 10 were obtained in moderate total yield under standard Eglington conditions. The MALDI-TOF MS and GPC behavior of large oligomers exhibit the formation of giant macrocycles 3 nm diameter and 2–4 nm long in one-pot procedure.
Fabrication and Operation of Monolayer Mott FET at Room Temperature
Authors: Yang Fan , Suda Masayuki , Yamamoto Hiroshi M
Published: August 2017

Self-assembled monolayer FET based on a TTF derivative is described (FET = field-effect-transistor, TTF = tetrathiafulvalene). The molecule is anchored on an alumina dielectric layer through covalent bonding of a phosphonic acid linker. A p-type monolayer FET device is achieved and subsequent chemical doping of this monolayer with F4TCNQ dopants results in an ambipolar device. (F4TCNQ = 2,3,5,6-Tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane) Several strange behaviors including a gate voltage shift upon doping seem to be consistent with organic monolayer Mott FET. Finally, temperature dependence of the FET performance, which also fit the anticipated Mott FET behavior, is discussed.
Renal impairment in stroke patients: A comparison between the haemorrhagic and ischemic variants
Authors: Shrestha Pratyush , Thapa Shalima , Shrestha Shikher , Lohani Subash , BK Suresh , MacCormac Oscar , Thapa Lekhjung , Devkota Upendra Prasad
Published: August 2017

Background: Renal impairment is regularly seen in hospitalized stroke patients, affecting the outcome of patients, as well as causing difficulties in their management. A prospective cohort study was conducted to assess the trend of renal function in hospitalized ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke patients. The incidence of renal impairment in these subgroups, the contributing factors and the need for renal replacement in renal impaired patients was evaluated.

Methods: Alternate day renal function testing was performed in hospitalized stroke patients. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) was calculated and the trend of renal function in the two stroke subgroups (haemorrhagic and ischemic) was assessed, with renal impairment defined as e-GFR < 60mL/ minute per 1.73m2.

Results: Among 52 patients, 25 had haemorrhagic stroke (mean age 59.81 ± 14.67) and 27 had ischemic stroke (mean age 56.12 ± 13.08). The mean e-GFR (mL/minute per 1.732m2) at admission in the haemorrhagic stroke subgroup was 64.79 ± 25.85 compared to 86.04 ± 26.09 in the ischemic stroke subgroup (p=0.005). Sixteen out of 25 (64%) patients in the haemorrhagic stroke subgroup and 9 out of 27 (33.3%) patients in the ischemic subgroup developed renal impairment (p=0.27). The location of the bleed (p=0.8), volume of hematoma (p=0.966) and surgical intervention (p=0.4) did not predispose the patients to renal impairment. One out of 16 patients with haemorrhagic stroke (who eventually died), and 2 out of 9 patients with ischemic stroke required renal replacement.

Conclusion: Renal impairment is commonly seen in stroke patients, more so in patients who suffered haemorrhagic strokes.  The impairment, however, is transient and rarely requires renal replacement therapy.
Identification of the ventral occipital visual field maps in the human brain
Authors: Winawer Jonathan , Witthoft Nathan
Published: August 2017

The location and topography of the first three visual field maps in the human brain, V1-V3, are well agreed upon and routinely measured across most laboratories. The position of 4th visual field map, ‘hV4’, is identified with less consistency in the neuroimaging literature.  Using magnetic resonance imaging data, we describe landmarks to help identify the position and borders of ‘hV4’. The data consist of anatomical images, visualized as cortical meshes to highlight the sulcal and gyral patterns, and functional data obtained from retinotopic mapping experiments, visualized as eccentricity and angle maps on the cortical surface.

Several features of the functional and anatomical data can be found across nearly all subjects and are helpful for identifying the location and extent of the hV4 map. The medial border of hV4 is shared with the posterior, ventral portion of V3, and is marked by a retinotopic representation of the upper vertical meridian. The anterior border of hV4 is shared with the VO-1 map, and falls on a retinotopic representation of the peripheral visual field, usually coincident with the posterior transverse collateral sulcus. The ventro-lateral edge of the map typically falls on the inferior occipital gyrus, where functional MRI artifacts often obscure the retinotopic data. Finally, we demonstrate the continuity of retinotopic parameters between hV4 and its neighbors; hV4 and V3v contain iso-eccentricity lines in register, whereas hV4 and VO-1 contain iso-polar angle lines in register.

Together, the multiple constraints allow for a consistent identification of the hV4 map across most human subjects.
FORMATION OF SOFT SPRING WHEAT YIELD AT THE USE OF BIOLOGICAL PREPARATIONS AND MINERAL FERTILIZERS
Authors: Амиров Марат , Amirov Marat
Published: August 2017

In these studies, the effect of mineral fertilizers in combination with presowing seed treatment with biological fungicides on the yield of spring soft wheat has been studied. Field experiments were conducted on gray forest soils in 2013-2015 on the experimental field of Kazan State Agrarian University. In the years of research, the payment of one kilogram of reactant of mineral fertilizer, applied to the control sample with application of 170 kg of active ingredient per hectare amounted to - 3 kg of grain, using Alirin biological fungicides it increased to 3.94 kg, using - Binoram up to 3.82 kg of grain.
PRECISION OF MEASUREMENT AND DIRECTED ASYMMETRY IN LEAF PLATES OF BETULA PENDULA ROTH
Authors: Баранов Сергей , Baranov Sergey , Бибик Татьяна , Bibik Tat'yana , Ильин Леонид , Il'in Leonid
Published: August 2017

The directional asymmetry in the birch leaf plates was studied. For this purpose, ten randomly selected populations were used in the Vladimir region (Russia). The leaf plates were photographed twice, 5 pairs of bilateral-symmetric labels were used and Procrustes analysis of variance carried out. Directional asymmetry testing was carried out at three biosystemic levels (population, individual and leaf plate level). The totality of all populations did not show the presence of directional asymmetry. Biosystemic level – “tree” had a statistically significant directional asymmetry in 4 populations. At the level of “leaf plate” biosystem, directional asymmetry was found in 9 populations among 10. Thus, only one population had a fluctuating asymmetry at all biosystemic levels (p <0.0001). The directional asymmetry of the linear features was checked in the t-test and was statistically significant only in two populations. Thus, directional asymmetry is the usual kind of asymmetry, present in the form of birch leaf plates which are pendant under conditions of normal variability. The described fact related specifically to the leaf plate, as to the unit of measurement. Therefore, in determining the FA and HA of leaf plates, one must keep in mind the possible presence of directional asymmetry as a population characteristic.
INFLUENCE OF LATE FODDER CROPS ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF YELLOW SWEET CLOVER
Authors: Григорьев Константин , Grigor'ev Konstantin , Балыкин Алексей , Balykin Aleksey , Шашкаров Леонид , Shashkarov Leonid
Published: August 2017

The article deals with the influence of integumentary cultures on the growth and development of the sweet clover. Among the late cover prosoid cultures, corn, Sudan grass and millet are the most suitable for sweet clover, which develop very slowly in the spring and very early free the sweet clover from shading. But when sowing the yellow sweet clover under these later cultures, the sowing period is delayed and there is a danger of drying the soil. Acceleration of growth processes in coverslips was more intense, than in yellow sweet clover and to hay harvest all coverslips significantly exceeded the yellow sweet clover plants. The millet plants were 98 cm, Sudan grass was 153 cm and maize was 180 cm up to harvesting time for all the years of our research. However, in arid conditions of 2014, and with a strong clogging the corn height was 124 cm, which is significantly inferior to Sudan’s grass of 145 cm. The type and the sowing norm of the cover crop and especially the weather conditions had a significant effect on the linear growth of the sweet clover plants of the first year of life. Influence of the sowing norms of millet, Sudan grass and corn on the height of the sweet clover plants of the second year of life was poorly manifested, but the tendency to increase in the height of plants with a decrease in the norm of sowing cover crops by 25% was noticeable.
Dynamic Learning of Patient Response Types: An Application to Treating Chronic Diseases
Authors: Negoescu Diana M. , Bimpikis Kostas , Brandeau Margaret L. , Iancu Dan A.
Published: August 2017

Currently available medication for treating many chronic diseases is often effective only for a subgroup of patients, and biomarkers accurately assessing whether an individual belongs to this subgroup typically do not exist. In such settings, physicians learn about the effectiveness of a drug primarily through experimentation—i.e., by initiating treatment and monitoring the patient’s response. Precise guidelines for discontinuing treatment are often lacking or left entirely to the physician’s discretion. We introduce a framework for developing adaptive, personalized treatments for such chronic diseases. Our model is based on a continuous-time, multi-armed bandit setting where drug effectiveness is assessed by aggregating information from several channels: by continuously monitoring the state of the patient, but also by (not) observing the occurrence of particular infrequent health events, such as relapses or disease flare-ups. Recognizing that the timing and severity of such events provide critical information for treatment decisions is a key point of departure in our framework compared with typical (bandit) models used in healthcare. We show that the model can be analyzed in closed form for several settings of interest, resulting in optimal policies that are intuitive and may have practical appeal. We illustrate the effectiveness of the methodology by developing a set of efficient treatment policies for multiple sclerosis, which we then use to benchmark several existing treatment guidelines.

The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2793 .

This paper was accepted by Noah Gans, stochastic models and simulation.
Gift Exchange in the Workplace: Addressing the Conflicting Evidence with a Careful Test
Authors: Esteves-Sorenson Constança
Published: August 2017

Tests of gift exchange, wherein agents receive excess wages which are noncontingent on performance in one-shot settings, have yielded contradictory evidence: they sometimes find effort boosts, consistent with gift exchange, whereas they sometimes find no effort increases, consistent with a standard model. We identify eight confounds that could have led to the mixed evidence—agent disutility from being viewed as selfish, small samples, insufficient wage raises, an effort ceiling, fatigue, selection of abler workers, reemployment concerns, and peer effects—and run a comprehensive test addressing them. Our test consisted of a field experiment hiring workers for a data entry job, followed by laboratory games assessing their prosocial behavior. After addressing these confounds, we find that behavior during the field test was consistent with a standard model: workers did not repay fixed wage raises with an effort boost, but they did raise effort in response to a piece rate. The piece-rate scheme was also more efficient: the effort boost came at lower expense than paying fixed wage raises. Further, workers who behaved prosocially in laboratory games did not behave prosocially in the field.

Data and the online appendix are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2017.2801. .

This paper was accepted by John List, behavioral economics.
Aid workers: What overseas volunteers need to know
Authors: Brewer Catherine
Published: August 2017

Those who wish to provide aid in foreign countries must understand the risks, writes Catherine Brewer
Chronic viral hepatitis: what's new in primary care?
Authors: Flanagan Stuart
Published: August 2017

With primary care nurses playing a vital role in screening, education and care, Stuart Flanagan argues that the outcomes for those living with HBV or HCV can finally start looking a bit brighter
A review on genotoxic and mutagenic effects of monoterpenes
Authors: Islam Muhammad
Published: August 2017

This review sketches genotoxic and mutagenic potentials of monoterpenes, which find outs some important genotoxic, mutagenic as well as non-genotoxic and non-mutagenic monoterpenes. Monoterpenes are the important natural products.
Monitoring content of cadmium, calcium, copper, iron, lead, magnesium and manganese in tea leaves by electrothermal and flame atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry
Authors: Prkić Ante , Jurić Antonija , Giljanović Josipa , Politeo Nives , Sokol Vesna , Bošković Perica , Brkljača Mia , Stipišić Angela , Fernandez Carlos , Vukušić Tina
Published: August 2017

Due to the simplicity of tea preparation (pouring hot water onto different dried herbs) and its high popularity as a beverage, monitoring and developing a screening methodology for detecting the metal content is very important. The concentrations of Cd, Ca, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mg and Mn in 11 different samples of sage (Salvia officinalis L.), linden (Tilia L.) and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) purchased at local herbal pharmacy were determined using electrothermal atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) and flame atomizer atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The concentrations determined were: Cd (0.012 – 0.470 mg kg−1), Ca (5209 – 16340 mg kg−1), Cu (22.01 – 33.05 mg kg−1), Fe (114.2 – 440.3 mg kg−1), Pb (0.545 – 2.538 mg kg−1), Mg (2649 – 4325 mg kg−1) and Mn (34.00 – 189.6 mg kg−1). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to identify factors (soil and climate) influencing the content of the measured elements in herbal samples. The proposed methodology developed in this work was successfully applied to the detection of metals in herbal samples. The analysis showed that the content of toxic metals in herbal teas was below the maximum dose recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Mediated characters: Multimodal viewpoint construction in comics
Authors: Borkent Mike
Published: August 2017

I analyze multimodal viewpoint construction in comics to engage with how modalities function within the medium as a specific discourse context with distinct conventions and material qualities. I show how comics employ established storytelling practices with character, narrator, and narrative viewpoint levels, while building up and interweaving these through strategic uses of the modalities of the medium. I mobilize the cognitive theories of embodiment, domains, mental simulation, and mental space blending as an analytical framework. I examine the asynchronicity of viewpoint elements between modalities and their synthesis into composite character viewpoints in several examples. I show how modalities can be prioritized and their different qualities and functions strategically manipulated for viewpoint construal. These brief examples show the complexity inherent in multimodal communication and interpretation and the usefulness of encouraging the medium-specific and interdisciplinary analyses of cultural works from a cognitive linguistic perspective.
Internet memes as multimodal constructions
Authors: Dancygier Barbara , Vandelanotte Lieven
Published: August 2017

This paper considers a range of so-called image macro Internet memes and describes them as emerging multimodal constructions relying as much on image as on text, and apportioning roles to images much like constructional slots, for instance to fill in a subject role in a subjectless clause, or even to provide the main clause content to a textually givenwhen-clause. In addition to existing or partially altered linguistic constructions, many examples also rely on specific top text/bottom text division of labor, and crucially depend on frame metonymy, with limited formal means quickly cueing richly detailed frames (for instance by using iconic images). The popularity of memes, forming series and cycles of iterations and remixes, and their role in establishing and maintaining discourse communities seems to be driven by a need to express and reconstrue viewpoints, often starting from ideas, affects or stereotypes assumed to be intersubjectively shared with viewers, whose responses they solicit. This paper argues that a proper description of Internet memes of the type considered requires a construction grammar approach, complemented by an understanding of viewpoint dynamics in terms of a Discourse Viewpoint Space regulating the network of spaces and viewpoints.
Independence numbers of random sparse hypergraphs
Authors: Semenov Aleksandr S. , Shabanov Dmitriy. A.
Published: August 2017

The paper is concerned with the asymptotic behaviour of the independence number for the binomial model of a random k-regular hypergraph H(n, k, p) in a sparse case, when

p
=
c

/

n
−
1

k
−
1

$p=c/{n-1\choose k-1}$

with positive constant c > 0. The independence number α(H(n, k, p)) is shown to satisfy the law of large numbers

α
(
H
(
n
,
k
,
p
)
)

n

→

P

γ
(
c
)

 as 
n
→
+
∞

$$\frac{\alpha(H(n,k,p))}{n}\stackrel{{\sf P}}{\to}\gamma(c)\;\;\mbox{ as }n\to+\infty$$

with some constant γ(c) > 0. We also shows that γ (c) > 0 is a solution of some transcendental equation for small values of c ⩽ (k - 1)-1.
Influence of Social-economic Activities on Air Pollutants in Beijing, China
Authors: Li Xiaolu , Zheng Wenfeng , Yin Lirong , Yin Zhengtong , Song Lihong , Tian Xia
Published: August 2017

With the rapid economic development, the serious air pollution in Beijing attracts increasing attention in the last decade. Seen as one whole complex and grey system, the causal relationship between the social development and the air pollution in Beijing has been quantitatively analyzed in this paper. By using the grey relational model, the aim of this study is to explore how the socio-economic and human activities affect on the air pollution in the city of Beijing, China. Four air pollutants, as the particulate matter with size 2.5 micrometers or less (PM
Distal turbidite fan/lobe succession of the Late Oligocene Zuberec Fm. – architecture and hierarchy (Central Western Carpathians, Orava–Podhale basin)
Authors: Starek Dušan , Fuksi Tomáš
Published: August 2017

A part of the Upper Oligocene sand-rich turbidite systems of the Central Carpathian Basin is represented by the Zuberec Formation. Sand/mud-mixed deposits of this formation are well exposed in the northern part of the basin, allowing us to interpret the turbidite succession as terminal lobe deposits of a submarine fan. This interpretation is based on the discrimination of three facies associations that are comparable to different components of distributive lobe deposits in deep-water fan systems. They correspond to the lobe off-axis, lobe fringe and lobe distal fringe depositional subenvironments, respectively. The inferences about the depositional paleoenvironment based on sedimentological observations are verified by statistical analyses. The bed-thickness frequency distributions and vertical organization of the facies associations show cyclic trends at different hierarchical levels that enable us to reconstruct architectural elements of a turbidite fan. First, small-scale trends correspond with shift in the lobe element centroid between successive elements. Differences in the distribution and frequency of sandstone bed thicknesses as well as differences in the shape of bed-thickness frequency distributions between individual facies associations reflect a gradual fining and thinning in a down-dip direction. Second, meso-scale trends are identified within lobes and they generally correspond to the significant periodicity identified by the time series analysis of the bed thicknesses. The meso-scale trends demonstrate shifts in the position of the lobe centroid within the lobe system. Both types of trends have a character of a compensational stacking pattern and could be linked to autogenic processes. Third, a largescale trend documented by generally thickening-upward stacking pattern of beds, accompanied by a general increase of the sandstones/mudstones ratio and by a gradual change of percentage of individual facies, could be comparable to lobe-system scale. This trend probably indicates a gradual basinward progradation of lobe system controlled by allogenic processes related to tectonic activity of sources and sea-level fluctuations.
Mechanical behavior of walnut (Juglans regia L.) and cherry (Prunus avium L.) wood in tension and compression in all anatomical directions. Revisiting the tensile/compressive stiffness ratios of wood
Authors: Bachtiar Erik V. , Rüggeberg Markus , Niemz Peter
Published: August 2017

The mechanical properties of walnut (Juglans regia L.) and cherry (Prunus avium L.) woods, as frequent raw materials in cultural heritage objects, have been investigated as a function of the anatomical directions and the moisture content (MC). The strength data are decreasing with increasing MC, whereas the tensile strength in the longitudinal direction is higher by factors of 1.5–2 compared to the compression strength. Moreover, the inequality of tensile and compressive stiffness is discussed, which is a matter of debate since a long time. This so-called bimodular behavior is difficult to describe in a generalized mode due to the high data variability if tension and compression properties are analyzed on different samples. If tensile and compressive stiffness tests are performed on the same samples of walnut and cherry wood, the ratio between these properties is significantly higher than 1.
Significance of diarylheptanoids for chemotaxonomical distinguishing between Alnus glutinosa and Alnus incana
Authors: Vidaković Vera , Novaković Miroslav , Popović Zorica , Janković Milan , Matić Rada , Tešević Vele , Bojović Srdjan
Published: August 2017

Diarylheptanoids are a group of secondary metabolites widely distributed in the Betulaceae family and characteristic for Alnus species. In this study, the chemotaxonomic power of diarylheptanoids, such as hirsutanonol-5-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, rubranoside A, oregonin, platyphylloside, alnuside A and hirsutanonol, has been investigated in combination with principal component analysis (PCA) for differentiation of Alnus species. Concentrations of six diarylheptanoids in the bark extracts of two natural populations of Alnus glutinosa (black alder) and Alnus incana (gray alder) were determined by ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). PCA clearly shows the separation of three groups. Populations I (A. glutinosa) and II (A. incana) both consisted of individuals of the corresponding species. Four individuals from both sampled populations formed a separate group (population III), which possibly represents a hybrid group. Accordingly, diarylheptanoids may serve in combination with PCA as chemotaxonomic markers at the species level, which may also reveal hybrid species.
Rapid automatized processing of nouns and verbs in typical
children
Authors: Biddappa Priya M. , Seth Divya , Manjula R.
Published: August 2017

The utility of Rapid Automatized Naming (RAN) as a clinical tool to
predict later reading abilities was addressed by researchers as early as the
1970s. Over the years, several variants of the task came into existence such
as inclusion of a variety of stimuli, varying picture size, etc. but very
few have addressed the response modality. The study aimed to compare rapid
processing skills in typical children in verbal and non-verbal modalities
using picture arrays of nouns and verbs. Twenty typically developing
children in the age range of 5–7 years participated in the study. Picture
arrays of five common nouns and verbs each served as the stimuli. The task
comprised picture naming and picture pointing. The results revealed that
nouns were processed faster than verbs in both verbal and non-verbal
modalities. It was also found that there was no difference in the processing
of nouns between the two modalities unlike verbs. Overall, the results point
to the potential use of a non-verbal task to assess the rapid processing
skills in children with limited verbal abilities.
Foreign Direct Investment and Growth Symbiosis: A Semiparametric System of Simultaneous Equations Analysis
Authors: McCloud Nadine , Delgado Michael S. , Kumbhakar Subal C.
Published: August 2017

We characterize the types of interactions between foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth, and analyze the effect of institutional quality on such interactions. To do this analysis, we develop a class of instrument-based semiparametric system of simultaneous equations estimators for panel data and prove that our estimators are consistent and asymptotically normal. Our new methodological tool suggests that across developed and developing economies, causal, heterogeneous symbiosis and commensalism are the most dominant types of interactions between FDI and economic growth. Higher institutional quality facilitates, impedes or has no effect on the interactions between FDI and economic growth.
Inborn errors of metabolism in a cohort of pregnancies with non-immune hydrops fetalis: a single center experience
Authors: Bruwer Zandrè , Al Riyami Nihal , Al Dughaishi Tamima , Al Murshedi Fathiya , Al Sayegh Abeer , Al Kindy Adila , Meftah Douja , Al Kharusi Khalsa , Al Foori Amel , Al Yarubi Naeema , Scott Patrick , Al-Thihli Khalid
Published: August 2017

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of non-immune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) among all pregnancies referred for prenatal care at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) during the study period and to evaluate the underlying etiologies of NIH.

Study design:

All pregnancies referred to SQUH between February 2014 and December 2015 were identified, and all pregnancies meeting the diagnosis of NIHF were included in this study. All cases of NIHF referred to our center during this period underwent standard systematic diagnostic work-up that included biochemical and molecular studies in addition to the standard investigations for hydrops fetalis. Clinical characteristics and results of the diagnostic work-up were retrospectively reviewed.

Results:

A total of 3234 pregnancies were referred for prenatal care at SQUH during the study period, and 12 pregnancies were affected by NIHF. An underlying diagnosis was established in nine cases, and the majority of cases (7/9) were caused by inborn errors of metabolism (IEM). These included a novel homozygous variant in the AARS2 gene (5/7) and two cases of galactosialidosis (2/7).

Conclusion:

IEM was a major cause of NIHF in this cohort. The AARS2 variant accounts for a significant number of cases with NIHF in this cohort of Omani patients.
Trade Potential of China’s Export to ASEAN: The Gravity Model Using New Economic Mass Proxies
Authors: Zhang Yuqin , Wang Shouyang
Published: August 2017

Considering the fact that China is the world factory, in which the trade of intermediate goods has a relatively high share and especially that the trade of intermediate goods with ASEAN is even higher, it is not suitable to use GDP as the economic mass proxies in the gravity model to estimate trade flows traditionally. This paper, by using the data between China and 10 member states of ASEAN along with other 12 main trading partners of China from 1999 to 2013, constructs China’s bilateral export equation based on the gravity model using new economic mass proxies according to Baldwin and Taglioni, and then calculates the trade potential index of China’s export to the member states of ASEAN by using this equation. The empirical results show that, China’s export trade equation based on new economic mass proxy has stronger explanatory power compared to the standard gravity model by using GDP as economic mass proxy. Therefore, the calculating results of trade potential of China’s export to ASEAN are more convincing.
A Method of Power Supply Mode Selection for Urban Distribution Network Planning Based on Association Rules
Authors: Li Cunbin , Li Shuke , Liu Yunqi
Published: August 2017

Based on association rules, this article proposed a method for intelligent recommendation of power supply mode, which helps decision-makers in the selection of many schemes. Firstly, a history database which includes the forecasting models and correlative factors was first built and association rule mining was conducted; then combined with the correlative factors in the designated area, the criteria matching in the rules mined were carried out with CBR technique; finally automatic recommendation of the power supply modes was achieved under the given conditions. By application of an example, it is demonstrated that the proposed method can not only automatically analyze the applicability of power supply modes and the intrinsic relationship between correlative factors but also provide, to some extent, theoretical basis for selection of power supply modes and practical utility for urban distribution network planning.
Writing Institutionalization and Disability in the Canadian Culture Industry: (Re)producing (Absent) Story
Authors: Jones Chelsea Temple
Published: August 2017

From the lens of a non-survivor ally who is also a journalist, activist, sister, and educator, I offer a reflexive account of reconciling with failed media activism. By applying Horkheimer and Adorno’s (1972) concept of the culture industry to my own experience of pitching a story about the impending closure of Saskatchewan’s Valley View Centre to a Canadian publication, this article investigates the theoretical underpinnings of a Canadian culture industry confronted with the politics of institutionalization, survivorship, and intellectual disability. The culture industry operates on the inclusionist premise that the public needs to understand cultural locations of disability that bestow an artificial sense of bodily agency on the spectator, thus placing media producers in “expert” roles by culture industry standards. This article combines memory and critical theory in a writing-story that addresses the unresolvable task of un/covering disability’s presence and absence in a journalistic practice that cannot penetrate the walls of an institution.
apology, under erasure
Authors: Halifax Nancy Viva davis
Published: August 2017

On 9 December, 2013 Premier Kathleen Wynne of Ontario delivered Ontario’s Apology to Former Residents of Regional Centres For People with Developmental Disabilities at the provincial legislature. The apology was delivered a week after the Huronia Class Action Lawsuit was settled for $35 million. The poem uses the form of erasure as a response to the inadequacies of both the apology and the settlement.