bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Binary Toxin CDT of Clostridium difficile as a Tool for Intracellular Delivery of Bacterial Glucosyltransferase Domains
Authors: Beer Lara-Antonia , Tatge Helma , Schneider Carmen , Ruschig Maximilian , Hust Michael , Barton Jessica , Thiemann Stefan , Fühner Viola , Russo Giulio , Gerhard Ralf
Published: June 2018

Binary toxins are produced by several pathogenic bacteria. Examples are the C2 toxin from Clostridium botulinum, the iota toxin from Clostridium perfringens, and the CDT from Clostridium difficile. All these binary toxins have ADP-ribosyltransferases (ADPRT) as their enzymatically active component that modify monomeric actin in their target cells. The binary C2 toxin was intensively described as a tool for intracellular delivery of allogenic ADPRTs. Here, we firstly describe the binary toxin CDT from C. difficile as an effective tool for heterologous intracellular delivery. Even 60 kDa glucosyltransferase domains of large clostridial glucosyltransferases can be delivered into cells. The glucosyltransferase domains of five tested large clostridial glucosyltransferases were successfully introduced into cells as chimeric fusions to the CDTa adapter domain (CDTaN). Cell uptake was demonstrated by the analysis of cell morphology, cytoskeleton staining, and intracellular substrate glucosylation. The fusion toxins were functional only when the adapter domain of CDTa was N-terminally located, according to its native orientation. Thus, like other binary toxins, the CDTaN/b system can be used for standardized delivery systems not only for bacterial ADPRTs but also for a variety of bacterial glucosyltransferase domains.
Scabies in Resource-Poor Communities in Nasarawa State, Nigeria: Epidemiology, Clinical Features and Factors Associated with Infestation
Authors: Ugbomoiko Uade Samuel , Oyedeji Samuel Adeola , Babamale Olarewaju Abdulkareem , Heukelbach Jorg
Published: June 2018

Epidemiology and clinical features of scabies remain largely unknown in Nigeria’s rural communities. To fill this gap, we performed a cross-sectional study in three rural communities in north central Nigeria. A total of 500 individuals were included and examined for scabies infestation; a questionnaire was applied to collect socio-demographic and behavioral data. Scabies was diagnosed in 325 (65.0%) participants. Excoriations (68.6%), vesicles (61.8%), and papules (58.8%) were common skin lesions. Itching was the most common symptom (77.5%); 64% complained of sleep disturbances. Lymphadenopathy was identified in 48.3%. Lesions were most commonly encountered on the abdomen (35.5%), inguinal area (19.1%), and interdigital spaces (14.2%). Poverty-related variables, such as illiteracy (OR: 7.15; 95% CI: 3.71–13.95), low household income (7.25; 1.19–88.59), absence of a solid floor inside house (12.17; 2.83–52.34), and overcrowding (1.98; 1.08–2.81) were significantly associated with infestation. Individual behavior, such as sharing of beds/pillows (2.11; 1.42–3.14) and sharing of clothes (2.51; 1.57–3.99), was also highly significantly associated with scabies. Regular bathing habits (0.37; 0.24–0.56) and regular use of bathing soap (0.36; 0.21–0.53) were protective factors. Scabies is extremely common in the communities under study and is associated with considerable morbidity. The disease is intrinsically linked with extreme poverty.
New Exact Solutions of Relativistic Hydrodynamics for Longitudinally Expanding Fireballs
Authors: Csörgő Tamás , Kasza Gábor , Csanád Máté , Jiang Zefang
Published: June 2018

We present new, exact, finite solutions of relativistic hydrodynamics for longitudinally expanding fireballs for arbitrary constant value of the speed of sound. These new solutions generalize earlier, longitudinally finite, exact solutions, from an unrealistic to a reasonable equation of state, characterized by a temperature independent (average) value of the speed of sound. Observables such as the rapidity density and the pseudorapidity density are evaluated analytically, resulting in simple and easy to fit formulae that can be matched to the high energy proton–proton and heavy ion collision data at RHIC and LHC. In the longitudinally boost-invariant limit, these new solutions approach the Hwa–Bjorken solution and the corresponding rapidity distributions approach a rapidity plateaux.
Special Issue “Mathematical Modeling of Viral Infections”
Authors: Murray John M. , Ribeiro Ruy M.
Published: June 2018

How an infection will progress in the body is dependent on myriad factors: the rate of spread of the agent, the immune response, what treatment may be applied[...]
Differentiating between Affine and Perspective-Based Models for the Geometry of Visual Space Based on Judgments of the Interior Angles of Squares
Authors: Wagner Mark , Hatfield Gary , Cassese Kelly , Makwinski Alexis N.
Published: June 2018

This paper attempts to differentiate between two models of visual space. One model suggests that visual space is a simple affine transformation of physical space. The other proposes that it is a transformation of physical space via the laws of perspective. The present paper reports two experiments in which participants are asked to judge the size of the interior angles of squares at five different distances from the participant. The perspective-based model predicts that the angles within each square on the side nearest to the participant should seem smaller than those on the far side. The simple affine model under our conditions predicts that the perceived size of the angles of each square should remain 90°. Results of both experiments were most consistent with the perspective-based model. The angles of each square on the near side were estimated to be significantly smaller than the angles on the far side for all five squares in both experiments. In addition, the sum of the estimated size of the four angles of each square declined with increasing distance from the participant to the square and was less than 360° for all but the nearest square.
Factors Affecting the Choice, Intensity, and Allocation of Irrigation Technologies by U.S. Cotton Farmers
Authors: Pokhrel Bijay K. , Paudel Krishna P. , Segarra Eduardo
Published: May 2018

We use the 2013 cotton precision farming survey data to study the adoption of irrigation technologies by cotton farmers in 14 states of the United States. We find that farmers with a higher irrigated yield, and who are from the Southern Plains (Texas and Oklahoma), adopt water-efficient irrigation technologies, such as sub-surface drip and trickle irrigation technologies. There are 10 irrigation technologies that farmers can adopt for cotton production in these 14 cotton-growing states. The intensity of the irrigation technologies, as measured by the number of irrigation technologies adopted in cotton production, is affected by the irrigated cotton yield realized, land holding (total land owned), education, computer use, and the origin of the cotton farmer being from the Southern Plains. We use a multivariate fractional regression model to identify land allocation by the different irrigation technologies used. Our results indicate that significant variables affecting land allocation with different irrigation technologies are the age of the operator, the cover crop, the information sources used, the per acre irrigated yield, the education, and the cotton farmer being from the Southern Plains.
Effects of Alternate Wetting and Drying Irrigation Regime and Nitrogen Fertilizer on Yield and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Irrigated Rice in the Sahel
Authors: Djaman Koffi , Mel Valere C. , Diop Lamine , Sow Abdoulaye , El-Namaky Raafat , Manneh Baboucarr , Saito Kazuki , Futakuchi Koichi , Irmak Suat
Published: May 2018

The objectives of this study were to investigate water saving strategies in the paddy field and to evaluate the performance of some of the newly released rice varieties. Field experiments were conducted at Fanaye in the Senegal River Valley during two rice growing seasons in 2015. Three irrigation regimes ((i) continuous flooding, (ii) trigging irrigation at soil matric potential (SMP) of 30 kPa, (iii) trigging irrigation at SMP of 60 kPa) were tested in an irrigated lowland rice field. Irrigation regimes (ii) and (iii) are alternate wetting and drying (AWD) cycles. Four inbred rice varieties (NERICA S-21, NERICA S-44, Sahel 210 and Sahel 222) and one hybrid rice (Hybrid AR032H) were evaluated under five nitrogen fertilizer rates (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 kg N ha−1). The results showed that rice yield varied from 0.9 to 12 t ha−1. The maximum yield of 12 t ha−1 was achieved by NERICA S-21 under AWD 30 kPa at 150 kg N ha−1. The AWD irrigation management at 30 kPa resulted in increasing rice yield, rice water use and nitrogen use efficiency and reducing the irrigation applications by 27.3% in comparison with continuous flooding. AWD30 kPa could be adopted as a water saving technology for water productivity under paddy production in the Senegal River Middle Valley. Additional research should be conducted in the upper Valley, where soils are sandier and water is less available, for the sustainability and the adoption of the irrigation water saving practices across the entire Senegal River Valley.
Compound Extremes in Hydroclimatology: A Review
Authors: Hao Zengchao , Singh Vijay P. , Hao Fanghua
Published: June 2018

Extreme events, such as drought, heat wave, cold wave, flood, and extreme rainfall, have received increasing attention in recent decades due to their wide impacts on society and ecosystems. Meanwhile, the compound extremes (i.e., the simultaneous or sequential occurrence of multiple extremes at single or multiple locations) may exert even larger impacts on society or the environment. Thus, the past decade has witnessed an increasing interest in compound extremes. In this study, we review different approaches for the statistical characterization and modeling of compound extremes in hydroclimatology, including the empirical approach, multivariate distribution, the indicator approach, quantile regression, and the Markov Chain model. The limitation in the data availability to represent extremes and lack of flexibility in modeling asymmetric/tail dependences of multiple variables/events are among the challenges in the statistical characterization and modeling of compound extremes. Major future research endeavors include probing compound extremes through both observations with improved data availability (and statistical model development) and model simulations with improved representation of the physical processes to mitigate the impacts of compound extremes.
Evaluation of the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis Weather Data for Watershed Modeling in Upper Awash Basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Tolera Mesfin Benti , Chung Il-Moon , Chang Sun Woo
Published: June 2018

Availability of reliable meteorological data for watershed modeling is one of the considerable challenges in the Awash River Basin in Ethiopia. To overcome this challenge, the Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR) global weather data was evaluated and compared with the limited conventional weather data available in the Upper Awash Basin. The main objective of this study was to search for an optional data source for hydrological modeling, instead of using the limited available data, and for data-scarce areas of the basin. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool model was used to compare the performance of the two weather datasets at simulating monthly streamflow. For calibration, validation, and uncertainty analysis, the sequential uncertainty fitting algorithm was used. The model evaluation statistics showed that the CFSR global weather data performed similarly to the conventional weather data for simulating the observed streamflow at Melka Kunture. At Keleta, where the conventional data is scarce, the CFSR performed better. The CFSR performance at the two sub-basins indicated that it performed better for the large sub-basin, Melka Kunture. Generally, the CFSR weather data are a good addition to the dataset for areas where no reliable weather data exists for hydrological modeling in the basin. The precipitation data of the CFSR are slightly higher than that of the conventional data, which also resulted in a relatively higher water balance components.
On the Effect of Regular Waves on Inclined Negatively Buoyant Jets
Authors: Ferrari Simone , Badas Maria Grazia , Querzoli Giorgio
Published: June 2018

The target of this paper is to measure the modifications that regular waves induce on the geometrical features and dilution of inclined negatively buoyant jets. In order to achieve this aim, we have carried out a set of experiments in a wavemaker-equipped flume, by measuring the concentration fields via light-induced fluorescence, a non-intrusive and full-field image analysis technique. The wave and jet parameters were selected in order to simulate the case of a typical discharge of brine, from a desalination plant, into the Mediterranean Sea, and compare it to a reference case, i.e., the same jet discharging into a stagnant water body. The mean concentration fields were obtained, as well as the geometrical features and dilution of the jets. The three main effects of waves on inclined negatively buoyant jets are the bifurcation (i.e., the separation in two branches), the rotation of the point of maximum height and the oscillation of the impact point around a fixed position different from the stationary one, and the reduction in size of the sea region interested by the discharge; this last effect increases with the wave period. As a consequence, under waves with high period and amplitude, the dilution of inclined negatively buoyant jets tends to decrease.
What Germany’s University Beginners Think about Water Reuse
Authors: Schmid Sarah , Bogner Franz X.
Published: June 2018

Water reuse is a new technology, not yet implemented, but discussed for use in Germany. Public opinion plays a major role in the success of the introduction of this new technology and was not yet analyzed for Germany. When monitoring 340 university beginners’ conceptions regarding water reuse, a variety of conceptions appeared. While usage of tap water is accepted for drinking purposes, acceptance of recycled water for oral consumption was low. When asked for reasons for (not) using recycled water, three groups of respondents were extracted: (a) The acceptors (convinced of quality, or naming sustainability as a reason); (b) the undecided (doubts about quality, rejection of its use for consumption, and psychological conflicts of logic and disgust); (c) the non-acceptors (unconvinced of quality and preference for bottled water). When asked about factors that would lead to accepting the use of recycled water, insights into treatment processes were identified as the most convincing, followed by educational films and guided tours. Participants showed high conviction about currently existing tap-water qualities. Having water that is cleaned before it reaches the consumer was reported to have high priority. To increase acceptance of water reuse, recommendations for appropriate outreach programs are discussed.
Analysis of a Fictive Active e-Trailer
Authors: Boonstra Steven , Rieck Frank
Published: June 2018

Trucks consume an enormous amount of diesel annually and contribute significantly to the total CO2 emissions around the world. Electrification of these freight vehicles would lead to a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Trailers, as part of heavy freight vehicles, are a great opportunity for innovative change. Electrifying the trailer would allow the combustion engine of the truck to cooperate with the electric motors in the trailer. The trailer would be able to regenerate energy using the electric motors built into the rear axis of the trailer. The energy that is regenerated could be stored in a battery power pack for later use. Using the principle of peak shaving, the combustion engine would be assisted by the active e-trailer. Peak shaving would occur when the calculated load on the combustion engine is highly above average, for example, during acceleration, climbing a hill, or during high speed. Energy from the power pack could be routed to the electric motors, adding propulsive force. This analysis of a fictive active e-trailer has focused on reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The energy consumption of the trailer and the energy regeneration were studied. For this analysis, two vehicle configurations were simulated within the MATLAB Simulink: one truck–trailer combination without the e-trailer application and one truck–trailer combination with the e-trailer application. Differences between the two simulated vehicle combinations have been analyzed and documented. The whole system would be self-sustaining by using the regenerating energy from braking and adjusting its assisting function according to the energy level of the power pack. However, better results would be achieved by charging the power pack periodically. By doing so, the reduction of fuel cost and emissions could be significantly improved.
Oligonucleotide analogues with cationic backbone linkages
Authors: Meng Melissa , Ducho Christian
Published: June 2018

Their unique ability to selectively bind specific nucleic acid sequences makes oligonucleotides promising bioactive agents. However, modifications of the nucleic acid structure are an essential prerequisite for their application in vivo or even in cellulo. The oligoanionic backbone structure of oligonucleotides mainly hampers their ability to penetrate biological barriers such as cellular membranes. Hence, particular attention has been given to structural modifications of oligonucleotides which reduce their overall number of negative charges. One such approach is the site-specific replacement of the negatively charged phosphate diester linkage with alternative structural motifs which are positively charged at physiological pH, thus resulting in zwitterionic or even oligocationic backbone structures. This review provides a general overview of this concept and summarizes research on four according artificial backbone linkages: aminoalkylated phosphoramidates (and related systems), guanidinium groups, S-methylthiourea motifs, and nucleosyl amino acid (NAA)-derived modifications. The synthesis and properties of the corresponding oligonucleotide analogues are described.
Effects of Coronal Magnetic Field Structures on the Transport of Solar Energetic Particles
Authors: Zhao Lulu , Zhang Ming
Published: June 2018

This Letter presents a model calculation of solar energetic particle (SEP) transport to test the sensitivity of the distribution of escaped SEPs in interplanetary space and dependence upon the details of the magnetic field structure in the corona. It is applied to a circumsolar event on 2011 November 3, in which SEPs are observed promptly after the solar event eruption by three spacecraft (the twin Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatories (STEREO-A and STEREO-B) and ACE) separated by more than 100° in longitude from each other. The corona magnetic field reconstructed from photosphseric field measurements using the PFSS method changes substantially before and after the solar eruption, especially around the active region. The locations of open field regions, separatrix surfaces including the heliospheric current sheet, and footpoints of magnetic field lines connected to the spacecraft location have shifted substantially. We inject 100 keV energetic electrons on the open field lines at 1.5 R

s
within the size of observed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and follow their propagation in the corona and the interplanetary space. We find that with a perpendicular diffusion due to field line random walk equal to 10% of the supergranular diffusion rate, the overall distribution of escaped SEPs does not change much even though the region of open field lines from SEPs has changed. The result suggests that detailed small-scale coronal magnetic field structures and the exact magnetic field connection are not crucially important for observing SEPs in the interplanetary space.
The Rise of a Magnetic Flux Tube in a Background Field: Solar Helicity Selection Rules
Authors: Manek Bhishek , Brummell Nicholas , Lee Dongwook
Published: June 2018

The buoyant transport of magnetic fields from the solar interior toward the surface plays an important role in the emergence of active regions, the formation of sunspots, and the overall solar dynamo. Observations suggest that toroidal flux concentrations, often referred to as “flux tubes,” rise from their region of initiation likely in the solar tachocline toward the solar surface due to magnetic buoyancy. Many studies have assumed the existence of such magnetic structures and studied the buoyant rise of an isolated flux tube in a quiescent, field-free environment. Here, motivated by the mechanisms of flux tube formation, we relax the latter assumption and study the rise of a toroidal flux tube embedded in a large-scale poloidal background magnetic field. We find that the presence of the large-scale background field severely affects the dynamics of the rising tube. A relatively weak background field, as low as 6% of the tube strength, can destroy the rise of a tube that would otherwise rise in the absence of the background field. Surprisingly, the rise of tubes with one sign of the twist is suppressed by a significantly weaker background field than the other. This demonstrates a potential mechanism for the selection of the preferred helicity of rising and emerging tubes for the solar case that is commensurate with many features of the hemispherical rule.
Face aux conflits institutionnels, quels lieux pour penser l’événement ?
Authors: Chvetzoff Roland
Published: May 2018

La démocratie est le régime qui accepte ses contradictions jusqu’à institutionnaliser le conflit. Ces conflits sont à l’origine d’un mal institutionnel le plus souvent dénié et d’une grande souffrance des professionnels comme de leur colère contre les Directions d’établissement. Ce déni du mal peut alors prendre la forme de défauts de fonctionnements auxquels les techniques organisationnelles et managériales tentent de porter remède. Les institutions ont besoin de figer pour être efficaces. Mais en figeant elles tuent leur cible : la relation de soin devient rapport de soin, le sujet devient objet, l’organisation des soins devient cartographie des risques, l’événement devient événement indésirable à éradiquer. Plutôt que d’opposer des mondes que l’on pense hétérogènes, quelle régulation institutionnelle mettre en place afin de (re)penser la créativité du soin ou du travail social au cœur même de la contrainte ? Seule une pluralité des approches de prise en compte de l’événement permettra l’élaboration et la symbolisation nécessaires de ce qui divise : le mal, ce mal au fondement même du questionnement éthique.
La place des familles dans le projet d’accompagnement
Authors: Le Capitaine Bruno , Sécher Régis
Published: May 2018

Cet article retrace la genèse, le déroulement et les effets d’une recherche-action menée pendant près de deux ans par un groupe de 11 professionnels exerçant au sein d’institutions des secteurs social et médico-social des Pays de la Loire adhérentes au Groupement Inter Associatif de coopération (GIAC). Le GIAC a fait appel à l’Association Régionale pour l’Institut de Formation en Travail Social (ARIFTS) des Pays de la Loire pour construire et superviser cette recherche-action.
Roms, Tsiganes, Nomades
Authors: Stewart Michael
Published: May 2018

Les Roms et les Sinti périrent plus nombreux aux mains des nazis en Autriche que dans tous les autres pays d’Europe. Ce papier analyse les traits particuliers de la politique autrichienne anti-tsigane à travers le concept d’« antitsiganisme pastoral ». Cette façon apparemment propre à l’Europe de l’Est de considérer les Tsiganes comme fondamentalement différents des paysans – parce qu’ils n’étaient pas des « gens de la terre » – déboucha sur une persécution beaucoup plus radicale qu’en Allemagne. La distinction séculaire entre les Tsiganes « locaux », « indigènes » ou « installés » et leurs homologues « étrangers » ou « nomades », sur laquelle s’appuyaient les politiques des États européens depuis le xviii e  siècle, fut balayée à la veille de l’Anschluss. Pour le Gauleiter local Tobias Porschy, ainsi d’ailleurs que pour l’ensemble de l’administration de l’ Ostmark tout au long de la guerre, tous les Zigeuner et tous ceux qui menaient une vie de Zigeuner devaient faire l’objet de mesures de plus en plus féroces. Au même moment, au sein du vieux Reich, les débats visant à départager qui devait et qui ne devait pas être compté comme tsigane prenaient de plus en plus d’importance au fur et à mesure qu’étaient définies des distinctions précises entre diverses catégories de tsiganes. Le résultat fut que les spécialistes des questions raciales eurent le dessus et que les mesures telles que les prenait un Portschy dès avant le déclenchement de la guerre furent dès lors assorties d’un processus préalable de sélection scientifique.
Roms, Tsiganes, Nomades
Authors: Holler Martin , Dezalay Sara
Published: May 2018

La situation des territoires de l’Union soviétique occupés par les Allemands durant la Seconde guerre mondiale joue un rôle clé dans les débats sur l’(in)commensurabilité du génocide des Roms (« Tsiganes ») par les Nazis avec l’Holocauste. D’autant que cette même région, en particulier les territoires sous occupation militaire, reste la moins étudiée dans les travaux consacrés à la persécution des Roms par les Nazis. Cette analyse de sources documentaires allemandes et soviétiques offre un nouvel éclairage sur ce sujet et invite à revoir le rapport entre les persécutions des « Tsiganes » et celles des Juifs.
Roms, Tsiganes, Nomades
Authors: Piasere Leonardo
Published: May 2018

Qui est Tsigane ? Celui que je nomme Tsigane, que j’assigne à cette identité et que je constitue en « autre » du reste de la société. Dans ce sens, l’histoire des Tsiganes se confond avec celle de l’« antitsiganisme », un néologisme qui recouvre une pratique ancienne. Mais peut-on dire que l’apparition de ce nouveau mot est liée aux croisements actuels entre les politiques multiculturelles d’une part, et les politiques néolibérales de l’autre ?
Langues et accents : pouvoir politique et lutte des castes
Authors: Haque Shahzaman
Published: May 2018

Cet article étudie l’usage et l’effet de l’accent présents dans le discours d’un politicien de renom appartenant à la basse caste et représentant d’un rang élevé de l’État du Bihar en Inde. Il s’agit de Lalu Prasad Yadav (LPY), président du parti politique Rashtriya Janta Dal, élu membre du Parlement indien en 1977 et qui a été « ministre en chef » du Bihar de 1990 à 1997. Sa présence dans la sphère politique a été caractérisée par la mise en valeur de l’accent bihari et de pratiques langagières rurales spécifiques à la communauté des basses castes ; ceci, afin de constituer son propre électorat. Nous nous proposons d’analyser certains de ses discours politiques, particulièrement sur la scène médiatique, diffusés à la télévision et désormais disponibles sur internet. L’objectif de cette étude vise à saisir les causes et les effets de l’utilisation d’un accent rural et son rôle dans la lutte des castes, à savoir la « rébellion » des basses castes à l’encontre de l’hégémonie de la haute caste en Inde. Comment l’usage spécifique de la langue a-t-il joué sur une polarisation de l’électorat et comment a-t-il véhiculé un sentiment de haine envers la haute caste dans l’État du Bihar ? Au travers de ses différents discours politiques, LPY a bouleversé les normes des discours politiques indiens en promouvant fièrement un marqueur d’identité par le truchement de l’usage prosodique.
Improving Safety Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes With a Good Catch Program and Student-Designed Simulation
Authors: Tanz Michele
Published: June 2018

Background:

This quality improvement project aimed to increase undergraduate nursing students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) relevant to the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses competency of safety, which was identified as a critical performance area. The question that this project examined was, Can incorporating chosen interventions into the course curriculum increase student KSAs of safety?

Method:

Two interventions were incorporated into the curriculum to increase student competency: a student-designed simulation project (SDSP), and a Good Catch and Error Reporting (GCER) program. A nonintervention group (
n
= 16) and an intervention group (
n
= 33) were evaluated with a dependent sample
t
test (pre- and posttest design) using the QUISKA2 Assessment Tool.

Results:

For the intervention group (
n
= 33), the project interventions were found to be statistically significant
t
(32) = 6.14,
p
< .05. In addition, mean scores increased by 37%, whereas the nonintervention group increased by only 12%.

Conclusion:

The SDSP and GCER program were beneficial in improving students' KSAs regarding safety in health care. Students designed scenarios that addressed medication errors, critical team communication, prioritization, and handoff reporting using their own creativity to deliver valuable information to the entire clinical group. Implementing the GCER program helped create a culture of safety within this clinical section and helped to build student confidence in the quality improvement process. [
J Nurs Educ.
2018;57(6):379–384.]
Chemical and structural variations in hazelnut and soybean oils after ozone treatments
Authors: Uzun H. , Kaynak E. G. , Ibanoglu E. , Ibanoglu S.
Published: June 2018

In the present work, the effect of ozone treatments on the structural properties of soybean oil (SBO) and hazelnut oil (HO) were investigated. The study presents the findings and results about the oxidation of HO and SBO with ozone, which has not been fully studied previously. The HO and SBO were treated with ozone gas for 1, 5, 15, 30, 60, 180 and 360 min. The ozone reactivity with the SBO and HO during the ozone treatment was analyzed by 1H, 13C NMR, FTIR and GC. The iodine value, viscosity and color variables (L*, a* and b*) of untreated and ozone treated oils were determined. Reaction products were identified according to the Criegee mechanism. New signals at 5.15 and 104.35 ppm were assigned to the ring protons of 1,2,4- trioxolane (secondary ozonide) in the ozonated oils in 1H and 13C NMR, respectively. Ozonated oils exhibited peaks at 9.75 and 2.43 ppm in 1H and NMR, which corresponded to the aldehydic proton and α-methylene group and to the carbonyl carbon, respectively. The peak at 43.9 ppm in 13C NMR was related to the α-methylene group and to the carbonyl carbon. The new signals formed in the ozonation process gradually increased with respect to ozone treatment time. After 360 min of ozone treatment, the carbon-carbon double bond signal, which belongs to the unsaturated fatty acids, disappeared completely in the spectrum. An increase in viscosity, a decrease in iodine value and a dramatic reduction in b* of the oil samples on (+) axis were observed with increased ozone treatment time.
Zero trans biscuits with soybean-based fats formulated using an artificial neural network
Authors: Penteado A. A.T. , Nogueira A. C. , Gandra K. M.B. , Barrera-Arellano D. , Steel C. J.
Published: June 2018

This study applied Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technology to formulate zero trans fat blends derived from soybeans and to evaluate their performance when applied to the processing of sweet laminated biscuits. For the formulation of the blends, two interesterified soybean fats and soybean oil were used as bases. They were characterized in terms of melting point, solid fat content and fatty acid composition; and the biscuits produced were analyzed for their technological (dimensions, mass, volume, expansion, instrumental color and texture, moisture gradient and cracking) and physicochemical characteristics (total fat and moisture contents, water activity and fatty acid composition). It was possible to verify the use of ANN to develop zero trans fats derived from soybeans for application in sweet laminated biscuits, which represents an operational and financial advantage. Moreover, we showed the viability of using soybean fats/oil, raw materials of greater availability and lower cost, for the production of biscuits.
Comparison of 19F and 1H NMR spectroscopy with conventional methods for the detection of extra virgin olive oil adulteration
Authors: Jiang X. Y. , Li C. , Chen Q. Q. , Weng X. C.
Published: June 2018

This paper reports the comparison of determination methods for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) adulteration with two kinds of oils, refined olive oil (ROO) and soybean oil by 19FNMR, 1H NMR and chemical titration. The determination of adulteration of EVOO with ROO by 19F NMR was comparable to the conventional method. The contents of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids of different oil samples can be determined by both 1H NMR and GC-MS. The results obtained from the two methods showed little differences. The adulteration of EVOO with soybean oil is detected by 1H NMR, although the limit of detection of the adulteration level is not less than 4.5%. The research demonstrates that 19F NMR can be a fast and convenient method to detect EVOO if it is adulterated with ROO and 1H NMR can be a fast and convenient method to detect EVOO if it is adulterated with seed oils.
EVALUATION OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF BAMBUSA BAMBOO CULMS WITH METALLIC JOINTS THROUGH DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
Authors: Ramful Raviduth
Published: June 2018

Bamboo in its raw state is difficult to incorporate in complex structures due to its tubular shape. In this research article, a novel approach to connect bamboo was designed and evaluated in order to integrate sustainable material into modern structures. Several bamboo joints for culm connection were designed based on strength and durability under various loading capacity. The conceptual joints were manufactured and subjected to destructive testing on the Universal Testing Machine, Testometric M500-50AT. From the mechanical properties generated, final modifications and refinements were incorporated into the joint design. Self-drilling metal screw joints were found to be the strongest with a maximum resisting force of around 11 kN in compression and 10 kN in tension. Riveted joints were the second strongest joint, while tightening ring joints, the weakest among the three, could only resist a peak load of 747 N in tension. The joints, designed with metal fittings, proved to be more practical for utilization in assembly design.
THE INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY PERFORMANCE OF GREEN LOW-INCOME SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING
Authors: Akom Joshua B. , Sadick Abdul-Manan , Issa Mohamed H. , Rashwan Shokry , Duhoux Marten
Published: June 2018

There is little empirical evidence in the literature about the indoor environmental quality performance of residential buildings in general and of social housing in particular. To address this problem, this study used a mixed-method approach to evaluate the indoor environmental quality performance of 17 green low-income single attached family houses in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. Questionnaires were administered to occupants to assess their snapshot and long-term satisfaction with the indoor environment. In addition, snapshot measurements were carried out to evaluate the indoor environmental quality factors of thermal comfort, indoor air quality, lighting and acoustics. Occupants' snapshot satisfaction was categorized into two groups (i.e. satisfied/comfortable or dissatisfied/uncomfortable) and compared with snapshot measurements. The results showed the measured IEQ parameters were well below recommended threshold levels. Further, occupants with higher snapshot satisfaction were generally exposed to relatively lower levels of indoor pollutants. A statistically significant difference was found in PM10 level only between the snapshot satisfied and snapshot dissatisfied groups of occupants. Apparent sound transmission classes were below the standard reference value of 50, suggesting potential problems in noise attenuation within different spaces in each apartment and between apartments. The findings of this study could help governments implement green shadowing for public-housing and also renovate existing houses using the same principles.
Vestibular Paroxysmia in Vestibular Neuritis: A Case Report
Authors: Ori Michele , Gambacorta Valeria , Ricci Giampietro , Faralli Mario
Published: June 2018

The term vestibular paroxysmia (VP) was introduced for the first time by Brandt and Dieterich in 1994. In 2016, the Barany Society formulated the International Classification of VP, focusing in particular on the number and duration of attacks, on the differential diagnosis and on the therapy. Ephaptic discharges in the proximal part of the eighth cranial nerve, which is covered by oligodendrocytes, are assumed to be the neural basis of VP. We report the first case in literature of an onset of symptoms and signs typical of VP in a young man following acute unilateral vestibular loss not combined with auditory symptoms. Indeed, the pathogenic mechanism affected only the vestibular nerve as confirmed by the presence of a stereotyped nystagmus pattern. The magnetic resonance imaging didn’t reveal any specific cause therefore we suggest the possible role of a neuritis triggering an ephaptic discharge as the neural mechanism of VP.
Robotic removal of Müllerian duct remnants in pediatric patients: our experience and a review of the literature
Authors: Lima Mario , Maffi Michela , Di Salvo Niel , Ruggeri Giovanni , Libri Michele , Gargano Tommaso , Lardy Hubert
Published: May 2018

Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome is a disorder of sexual development, which features a failure of involution of Müllerian structures. An enlarged prostatic utricle is a kind of Müllerian duct remnant (MDR) with a tubular shaped structure communicating with the prostatic urethra. Treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms when present, preserve fertility and prevent neoplastic degeneration. We describe 3 cases of successful robot assisted-removal of symptomatic MDRs. The first case came to our attention for pseudo-incontinence; the other two for recurrent urinary tract infections. The patients have not presented such symptoms anymore on follow-up. We then reviewed existent literature on authors who have recently investigated the main issues concerning MDRs and have attempted a roboticassisted approach on them. Robot-assisted laparoscopy can be considered a valid, safe and effective minimally-invasive technique for the primary treatment of prostatic utricle.
A continued racial character of some of the Gereformeerde Kerke in South Africa: Strategic moves evading reconciliation and unity of churches in post-apartheid South Africa
Authors: Baloyi Elijah M.
Published: June 2018

The quest for liberation of all South Africans from past racial divides since the inception of democratic government has been prioritised for more than 24 years now. Although this is an ongoing process and some achievements have been made to this end, it is yet evident that the impact of racism and apartheid still influence many lives both in and outside the churches. The Gereformeerde Kerke in South Africa (GKSA) is amongst the churches that officially removed the barriers of apartheid to have one united church. The relevant question would be to ask if relatively good progress had been made towards uniting these churches. This article intends to unveil evidence in the form of case studies that reconciliation and unity are still a journey which the members of the mentioned church should embark on. There are members of some congregations under this church who are still held within the culture of separation and hence they make it difficult to unify the church. The foundation for reconciliation had been laid down, but the challenge is now to build unity upon it. Despite some racial signs still visible in some churches, this article concerns itself in looking a place where unity, peace and reconciliation are expected to be at the top of the agenda. The article attempts to propose some strategies towards unity within the GKSA. Practical case studies will be consulted to indicate the existence of the challenge of racism in the GKSA, despite efforts to eradicate it from government and other stakeholders concerned.
Strongly dissipative surface diffeomorphisms
Authors: Crovisier Sylvain , Pujals Enrique
Published: May 2018

We introduce a class of volume-contracting surface diffeomorphisms whose dynamics is intermediate between one-dimensional dynamics and general surface dynamics. For that type of systems one can associate to the dynamics a reduced one-dimensional model and it is proved a type of

C^\infty

-closing lemma on the support of every ergodic measure. We also show that this class contains Hénon maps with Jacobian in (–1/4, 1/4).
Combination 11 Conductors and 2 Pairs ECBS Cable
Authors:   Truck and Bus Electrical Systems Committee
Published: June 2018

This SAE standard establishes the minimum construction and performance requirements for a combination cable consisting of 11 conductors and 2 twisted pairs for use on trucks, trailers, and dollies in conjunction with SAE J2691. (15 pole connectors.) The cable includes both power and unjacketed SAE J1939-15 paired signal circuits along with dual ground wires to accommodate grounding requirements within the constraints of the SAE J2691 terminal capacity.
Turbulent characteristics of saltation and uncertainty of saltation model parameters
Authors: Liu Dongwei , Ishizuka Masahide , Mikami Masao , Shao Yaping
Published: May 2018

Abstract. It is widely recognised that saltation is a turbulent process, similar to other transport processes in the atmospheric boundary layer. Due to a lack of high-frequency observations, the statistic behaviour of saltation is so far not well understood. In this study, we use the data from the Japan–Australia Dust Experiment (JADE) to investigate the turbulent characteristics of saltation by analysing the probability density function, energy spectrum and intermittency of saltation fluxes. Threshold friction velocity, u*t, and saltation coefficient, c0, are two important parameters in saltation models often assumed to be deterministic. As saltation is turbulent in nature, we argue that it is more reasonable to consider them as parameters obeying certain probability distributions. We estimate these distributions using the JADE data. The factors contributing to the stochasticity of u*t and c0 are examined.
Northern Hemisphere continental winter warming following the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption: Reconciling models and observations
Authors: Polvani Lorenzo M. , Banerjee Antara , Schmidt Anja
Published: May 2018

Abstract. It has been suggested, and is widely believed, that the anomalous surface warming observed over the Northern Hemisphere continents in the winter following the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo was, in fact, caused by that eruption, via a stratospheric pathway that involves a strengthening of the polar vortex. However, most studies that have examined multiple, state-of-the-art, coupled climate models report that, in the ensemble mean, the models do not show winter warming after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. This lack of surface warming in the multi-model mean, concomitant with a lack of strengthening of the polar vortex, is often interpreted as a failure of the models to reproduce the observations. In this paper we show that this interpretation is erroneous, as averaging many simulations from different models, or from the same model, is not expected to yield surface anomalies similar to the observed ones, even if the models were highly accurate, owing to the presence of strong internal variability. We here analyze three large ensembles of state-of-the-art, coupled climate model simulations and show that, in all three, many individual ensemble members are able to produce Mt. Pinatubo surface warming in winter that is comparable to those observed. This establishes that current-generation climate models are perfectly capable of reproducing the observed surface post-eruption warming. We also confirm the bulk of previous studies, and show that the surface anomaly is not statistically different from zero when averaged across ensembles of simulations, which we interpret as the simple fact that the volcanic impact on continental winter temperatures is tiny compared to internal variability. We also examine the stratospheric pathway and, again confirming previous work, show that any strengthening of the polar vortex caused by the Mt. Pinatubo eruption is likely to be very small (of the order of a few m/s at best). Such minuscule anomalies of the stratospheric circulation are completely overwhelmed by the tropospheric variability at mid-latitudes, which is known to be very large: this explains the lack of surface winter warming in the ensemble means. In summary, our analysis and interpretation offers compelling new evidence that the observed warming of the Northern Hemisphere continents in the winter 1991–1992 was very likely unrelated to the 1991 Mt. Pinatubo eruption.
Southern California Megacity CO2, CH4, and CO flux estimates
using remote sensing and a Lagrangian model
Authors: Hedelius Jacob K. , Liu Junjie , Oda Tomohiro , Maksyutov Shamil , Roehl Coleen M. , Iraci Laura T. , Podolske James R. , Hillyard Patrick W. , Wunch Debra , Wennberg Paul O.
Published: May 2018

Abstract. We estimate the overall CO2, CH4, and CO flux from the South Coast Air Basin using an inversion that couples Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON) and Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) observations, with the Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) model, and the Open-source Data Inventory for Anthropogenic CO2 (ODIAC). Using TCCON data we estimate the direct net CO2 flux from the SoCAB to be 139 ± 35 Tg CO2 yr−1 for the study period of July 2013–August 2016. We obtain a slightly lower estimate of 118 ± 29 Tg CO2 yr−1 using OCO-2 data. These CO2 emission estimates are in general agreement with previous work. Our net CH4 (325 ± 81 Gg CH4 yr−1) flux estimate is slightly lower than central values from previous top-down studies going back to 2010 (342–440 Gg CH4 yr−1). CO emissions are estimated at 555 ± 136 Gg CO yr−1, much lower than previous top-down estimates (1440 Gg CO yr−1). Given the decreasing emissions of CO, this finding is not unexpected. We perform sensitivity tests to estimate how much errors in the prior, errors in the covariance, different inversions schemes or a coarser dynamical model influence the emission estimates. Overall, the uncertainty is estimated to be 25 %, with the largest contribution from the dynamical model. The methods described are scalable and can be used to estimate direct net CO2 fluxes from other urban regions.