bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review and Comparison of Sensorless Techniques to Estimate the Position and Speed of PMSM
Authors: Ahmad Tarmizi Yusnida , Abdul Karim Kasrul , Ahmad Tarusan S. Azura , Jidin Auzani
Published: January 2018

Sensorless technique becomes popular nowadays in electrical drive applications specificially for AC motor drive. It is applied to determine and estimate the rotor position especially for PMSM motor. This paper presents the comparison sensorless technique to determine and estimate the position and rotor of PMSM motor. PMSM motor is widely used in industrial and automation due to its high performance motor drive. However, the location of PMSM motor in humidity and harsh environment causing the accuracy of motor is inaccurate due to deterioration of position sensor . Therefore, many sensorless techniques have been proposed by previous researchers in order to solve the problem. This paper presents the review of several categories; Model Based Method, Saliency Based Method and Signal Injection, and Artificial Intelligence Based Estimator. In addition, sensorless techniques on each category have been compared and described in terms of their advantages and disadvantages.
Design and Implementation of BLDC Motor with Integrated Drive Circuit
Authors: Park Joon Sung , Lee Ki-Doek
Published: January 2018

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: '맑은 고딕'; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;" lang="EN-US">The trend in the motor applications is to reduce weight and volume by increasing the efficiency. Because of the advantage of high efficiency and high density, interest in brushless DC motors and drives is increasing. Unlike DC motors, the brushless DC (BLDC) motors require inverter circuit and position detector. In this paper, we deal with the optimization of the BLDC motor, the inverter, and the position detector. The inverter is optimized to be mounted on the BLDC motor. This paper deals primarily with the design and implementation aspects of the BLDC motor and the integrated drive circuit. Experimental results for the prototype of the BLDC motor with integrated dirve circuit in the laboratory are presented to validate the feasibility.
Investigation of Power Quality Improvement in Super Lift Luo Converter
Authors: Gnanavadivel J , Senthil Kumar N , Naga Priya C.N , Krishna Veni K.S
Published: January 2018

This paper presents the improved single phase AC-DC super lift Luo converter for enhancing quality of power by mitigating the issues. The proposed converter is used for output voltage control, power factor improvement and reduced source current harmonics at supply side. The main intention of this work is to design appropriate closed loop controllers for this AC-DC super lift Luo converter to achieve  unity power factor in the source end. The designed control system comprises of two control loops, voltage control in outer loop and the current controller is devised in the inner loop. Fuzzy controller is used for current controller whereas PI controller as voltage controller. In the MATLAB/SIMULINK platform, simulation of the proposed AC-DC super lift Luo converter is done. It is clear from the simulation results that PI integrated fuzzy controller for voltage and control is proven to be better than classical PI with hysteresis controllers. The proposed system is able to achieve high input power factor along with supply current harmonic distortions of less than 5%.
The Improvement of Solar Cell Output Power Using Cooling and Reflection from Mirror
Authors: Budiyanto Budiyanto , Fadliondi Fadliondi
Published: January 2018

This paper explains the experimental investigation to improve the output power of solar cell using cooling and light reflection from mirrors. The results show that by adding mirror, the current and output power of solar cell increase but the open circuit voltage and maximum power voltage decrease due to heat. By adding cooling, the open circuit voltage and the maximum power voltage are improved, so the output power also increases.
Design and Performance of a PV-STATCOM for Enhancement of Power Quality in Micro Grid Applications
Authors: P Lakshman Naik , Palanisamy K
Published: January 2018

The Green Energy sources (solar, wind) are performing a vigorous role to reach the electrical power demand. Due to the presence of non-linear loads, reactive loads in the distribution system and the injection of wind power into the grid integrated system results power quality issues like current harmonics, voltage fluctuations, reactive power demand etc. This paper mainly investigates the designing and satisfactory performance evaluation of solar farm as PV-STATCOM (Static Synchronous Compensator) for enhancement of power quality in grid tie system by using MATLAB environment (Simulink). The proportional and integral (PI) Controller and Hysteresis Current Controller (HCC) were effectively utilized to inject the desired current from voltage source converter (VSC) based PV-STATCOM at PCC for the mitigation of quality related problems in the proposed test system.
Experimental Comparative Study of Feedback Linearized Controller and Proportional Integral Controller of the DC Bus Voltage of Three-phase Shunt Active Power Filter
Authors: Ghadbane Ismail , Benchouia Mohamed Toufik
Published: January 2018

In This paper we present experimental comparative study of feedBack Linearized and Proportional Integral (PI) Controller of the DC bus voltage of three phase shunt Active Power Filter (APF). The FeedBack Linearized and PI controllers are introduced to improve tracking performance characteristics, power quality and minimized consumption of the reactive power. The algorithm used to identify the reference currents is based on the Self Tuning Filter (STF). The firing pulses of the IGBTs inverter are generated using a hysteresis current controller; which is implemented on an analogue card. Finally, the above study, under steady state and transient conditions, is illustrated with signal-flow graphs and corresponding analysis. This study was verified by experimental tests on hardware prototype based on dSPACE-1104. The experimental results show the feasibility and the effectiveness of the designed active filter, associated with Feedback Linearized and PI controllers and are capability in meeting the IEEE 519-1992 recommended harmonic standard limits.
Bidirectional Resonant DC-DC converter for Microgrid Applications
Authors: S. Jaisudha , Srinivasan Sowmiya , Gunasekaran Kanimozhi
Published: January 2018

This paper proposes a non-isolated soft-switching bidirectional dc/dc converter for interfacing energy storage in DC microgrid. The proposed converter employs a half-bridge boost converter at input port followed by a LCC resonant tank to assist in soft-switching of switches and diodes, and finally a voltage doubler circuit at the output port to enhance the voltage gain by two times. The LCC resonant circuit also adds a suitable voltage gain to the converter. Therefore, overall high voltage gain of the converter is obtained without a transformer or large number of multiplier circuit. For operation in buck mode, the high side voltage is divided by half with capacitive divider to gain higher step-down ratio. The converter is operated at high frequency to obtain low output voltage ripple, reduced magnetics and filters. Zero voltage turn-on is achieved for all switches and zero current turn-on and turn-off is achieved for all diodes in both modes i.e., buck/boost operation. Voltage stress across switches and diode is clamped naturally without external snubber circuit. An experimental prototype has been designed, built and tested in the laboratory to verify the performance of the proposed converter.
Energy Saving in Pilger Mill Electric Drives Complete Solution
Authors: Usynin Yuriy , Sychev Dmitry , Savosteenko Nikita
Published: January 2018

This paper considers issues related to increasing energy efficiency in electric drives of pilger rolling mills, presenting kinematics of such mills, provides justification for the general load chart, presents the detailed review of reference materials on technical energy saving solutions, and suggests a math model of an electric drive with a field regulated reluctance machine. The paper suggests key methods of saving energy in electric drives of pilger mills, namely: kinematic scheme improvement; main energy drainers and ways of energy loss reduction in electric drives with direct- and alternate-current motors, energy-saving electric drive control profiles. The article compares energy-saving resources in electric drives with various-type motors (direct-current motors, synchronous motors, and field regulated reluctance machine), clarifies the scheme of energy-saving resource implementation, provides the qualitative evaluation of electric drive control method efficiency. The accent is made on high energy efficiency of the proportionate control of armature and excitation circuits and across the range of torque in electric drives of abruptly-variable-load mills. The highest economic effect is reached in the electric drive with a field regulated reluctance machine – by means of implementing the energy-efficient electromechanical converter and applying energy-saving control profiles.
DTC-SVM Control for Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator based Variable Speed Wind Turbine
Authors: El Mourabit Youness , Derouich Aziz , El Ghzizal Abdelaziz , El Ouanjli Najib , Zamzoum Othmane
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we are interested in improving the production efficiency for electric energy extracted from a wind turbine, based on a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) that we want to improve the performance by means of direct torque control with space vector modulation (DTC-SVM). The choice of this control comes from the deficiencies inherent to the conventional DTC, which includes variable switching frequency, torque ripple and implementation complexity. First we focuse on the wind energy conversion system (WECS) modeling using the PMSG machine, as well as the detailed study for the control DTC-SVM operating principle. Then, system performance is tested and compared by simulation in the MATLAB/Simulink in terms of follow instructions, robustness to the variations of the external system elements, and effectiveness of the expected method.
Coronary Embolism Among ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Popovic Batric , Agrinier Nelly , Bouchahda Nidhal , Pinelli Samuel , Maigrat Charles Henry , Metzdorf Pierre Adrien , Selton Suty Christine , Juillière Yves , Camenzind Edoardo
Published: January 2018

Background—

Coronary artery embolism (CE) is recognized as an important nonatherosclerotic cause of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. The objective was to describe clinical characteristics and long-term outcomes and to identify risks factors of CE in a large consecutive series of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction patients.

Methods and Results—

We studied 1232 consecutive patients who presented with de novo ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction. CE was diagnosed based on criteria encompassing clinical, angiographic, and diagnostic imaging findings. A total of 53 patients were identified in the CE group including 12 (22.6%) patients with multisites CE and 9 patients with other extracoronary localization. Compared with the non-CE group, age and coronary risks factors were not significantly different in the CE group except for smoking (
P
=0.03) and body mass index (
P
<0.001). Interventional coronary procedures were characterized by a higher use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (
P
<0.001) and lower use of angioplasty (
P
<0.001) in the CE group. The most frequent underlying cardiac diseases were atrial fibrillation (n=15, 28.3%) followed by dilated cardiomyopathy (n=5), endocarditis (n=4), and intracardiac tumor (n=3), whereas among systemic diseases, malignancy (n=8) and systemic autoimmune disease or antiphospholipid syndrome (n=4) were present. No etiopathological mechanisms could be identified in 14 patients (26.4%). Coronary embolism was associated with a higher risk of death (crude hazard ratio, 4.87; 95% confidence interval, 2.52–9.39;
P
<0.0001).

Conclusions—

Etiopathogenesis of ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction secondary to CE is diverse ranging from cardiac to systemic disease, and patient long-term survival is worse than expected according to the baseline cardiovascular risk.
Differential feeding site development and reproductive fitness of Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica on zucchini, a source of resistance to M. incognita
Authors: Talavera-Rubia Miguel , Pérez De Luque Alejandro , López-Gómez Manuel , Verdejo-Lucas Soledad
Published: January 2018

The development of Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica on zucchini ‘Amalthee’ was compared to characterise critical events in plant parasitism. Meloidogyne incognita was much less successful parasitising zucchini than M. javanica despite similarities in penetration rates and juvenile development. The increased frequency of undersized individuals, immature females and empty galls evidenced a failure in M. incognita development. Meloidogyne incognita induced larger feeding sites that contained more and larger giant cells than did M. javanica. Malformation of the M. incognita giant cells and abnormal growth of the surrounding tissues was observed at both 11 and 25 days post-inoculation. Critical events in parasitism differentiating the nematode isolates were the transition from fourth-stage juveniles to females, and the reduced fertility of the egg-laying females. Zucchini can be considered a source of resistance to M. incognita because it restricted nematode proliferation by supporting less fertile egg-laying females and producing fewer egg masses and total eggs.
Long-term History in a Moroccan Oasis Zone: The Middle Draa Project 2015
Authors: Mattingly David J. , Bokbot Youssef , Sterry Martin , Cuénod Aurelie , Fenwick Corisande , Gatto Maria Carmela , Ray Nick , Rayne Louise , Janin Katrien , Lamb Andrew , Mugnai Niccoló , Nikolaus Julia
Published: January 2018

This article describes the research questions and presents the initialamsdates of the Middle Draa Project (southern Morocco), a collaborative field survey project between the University of Leicester and the Institut National des Sciences de l’Archéologie et du Patrimoine (insap) of Morocco. Starting from a very low baseline of past archaeological research in this pre-desert valley, the overall objective of the project is to establish the extent, character and chronology of the rich archaeology of the Wadi Draa. The results presented here detail a hitherto unknown phase of major occupation in the Draa in the 4th-6th centuriesadevidenced by complex hilltop settlements and extensive cairn cemeteries (an initial typology is presented). A second medieval phase comprised major urban centres that are contemporary with the Almoravid and Almohad periods of Moroccan history. Alongside these urban centres, there are the remains of substantial mudbrick oasis settlements and irrigation and field-systems of a contemporary date. A key contribution of this paper concerns the construction of an outline chronology based upon initial analysis of the ceramics collected, but crucially supplemented and supported by a major program ofamsdating. The remote sensing and field survey data collected by the project enable us to develop some hypotheses concerning the long-term history of this important oasis valley.
Dregea taynguyenensis (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), a new species from Vietnam
Authors: TRAN THE BACH , VAN HAI DO , THU HA BUI , CHOI SANGHO , EUM SANGMI , RODDA MICHELE
Published: January 2018

The new species Dregea taynguyenensis from Vietnam is described, illustrated and compared with the other Dregea species occurring in Vietnam and neighbouring countries D. cuneifolia, D. sinensis, D. volubilis and D. yunnanensis. Dregea taynguyenensis differs from these species by the leaf blade secondary veins number, calyx lobes shape, and corolla lobes size.
Thismia thaithongiana (Dioscoreaceae: Thismieae), a new species of mycoheterotroph from an unusual habitat
Authors: CHANTANAORRAPINT SAHUT , SUDDEE SOMRAN
Published: January 2018

With more than 60 currently accepted species, Thismia Griffith (1844: 221) is the largest genus of the tribe Thismieae of Dioscoreaceae (sensu APG 2016, or Thismiaceae of other authors). The genus is widely distributed mainly in the tropical and subtropical regions with a concentration of species in Southeast Asia (ca. 30 species) including the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Thailand and Vietnam. In last decade, many new taxa have been described from Southeast Asia (e.g. Larsen & Averyanov 2007, Chantanaorrapint 2008 2012, Tsukaya & Okada 2012, Dančák et al. 2013, Nuraliev et al. 2014 2015, Truong et al. 2014, Tsukaya et al. 2014, Chantanaorrapint & Sridith 2015, Hroneš et al. 2015, Chantanaorrapint et al. 2016, Sochor et al. 2017). Members of the genus are small mycoheterotrophic herbs with a highly reduced habit and usually grow among leaf litter in shady wet forests.
Allium monophyllum (Amaryllidaceae) is a diploid species
Authors: FRITSCH REINHARD M.
Published: January 2018

In the last decade there was a remarkable progress in karyological analyses among members of Allium Linnaeus (1753: 294) subg. Melanocrommyum (Webb & Berthelot 1848: 347) Rouy (1910: 378) (Gurushidze et al. 2012, Genç et al. 2013, Akhavan et al. 2015, Genç & Firat 2016, Fritsch 2016), confirming that most species are diploid based on x = 8 (x = 9 and x = 10 are only rare exceptions, Fritsch & Astanova 1998). Triploid plants were rarely found in some members of A. sect. Melanocrommyum Webb & Berthel. (Tzanoudakis 1999, Genç & Özhatay 2014). The tetraploid level was repeatedly reported by several authors for A. cyrilli Tenore (1827: 364) and sporadically for some other species, but higher ploidy levels were only exceptionally reported: 2n = 48 for A. cyrilli by Khoshoo et al. (1966) and for A. giganteum Regel (1883: 97) by Mensinkai (1939), and even 2n = 64 for A. monophyllum Vved. in Czerniakowska (1930: 266) by Kurita (1956). Unfortunately, these hexa- and octoploid counts were based on plants from botanical collections, and the taxonomic identity cannot be proofed because herbarium vouchers of these counts are not known to exist.
Simplicillium coffeanum, a new endophytic species from Brazilian coffee plants, emitting antimicrobial volatiles
Authors: GOMES ANDRÉ A. M. , PINHO DANILO B. , CARDEAL ZENILDA DE L. , MENEZES HELVÉCIO C. , QUEIROZ MARISA V. DE , PEREIRA OLINTO L.
Published: January 2018

During a bioprospecting of fungi producing antimicrobial volatile organic compounds, two Verticillium-like isolates from coffee branches were obtained by a parallel growth technique using Muscodor albus CZ 620. Micro-morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses showed that both isolates belonged to Simplicillium and represented a new species, namely S. coffeanum. In the test for antimicrobial activity, the mixture of volatiles emitted by S. coffeanum COAD 2057 inhibited the growth of Aspergillus ochraceus, A. tubingensis, A. sydowii and A. niger on PDA. Among the compounds of volatile mixture, 1-Propanone, 1-(5-methyl-2-furanyl)-, Cyclopropane, 1-ethoxy-2, 2-dimethyl-3-(2-phenylethynyl)-, and 2-Propenoic acid, 3-(2-formyl-4-methoxyphenyl)-, ethyl ester, (E)- possessed the highest percentage of peak per area. Therefore, S. coffeanum has potentially biocontrol ability through the emission of antimicrobial volatiles.
Morphology and phylogeny of Atrocalyx acervatus sp. nov. (Lophiotremataceae) from Acer species
Authors: DE SILVA NIMALI I. , THAMBUGALA KASUN M. , JEEWON RAJESH , PHOOKAMSAK RUNGTIWA , GOONASEKARA ISHANI D. , LUMYONG SAISAMORN , HYDE KEVIN D.
Published: January 2018

A new species of Atrocalyx (Lophiotremataceae) was collected from dead branches of Acer species in Yunnan Province, China. This is the first record of Atrocalyx on Acer. Lophiotrema bambusae and Lophiotrema guttulata is transferred to Atrocalyx based on combined SSU, ITS, LSU and tef1 sequences analyses. A detailed description and illustration of the new species is provided, and two new combinations are proposed.
Spissiomyces endophytica (Dothideomycetes, Ascomycota), a new endophytic fungus from Thailand
Authors: SUWANNARACH NAKARIN , KUMLA JATURONG , LUMYONG SAISAMORN
Published: January 2018

A new species of endophytic fungi, described herein as Spissiomyces endophytica, was isolated from tubers of Balanophora fungosa in Lampang Province, Thailand. A morphological investigation revealed that this species was distinguished from the previously described Spissiomyces species by its lager conidial size. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using combined sequence datasets of the small subunit (SSU), large subunit (LSU) and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA), a part of the RNA polymerase (RPB2) and β-tubulin (TUB) genes, in order to support the morphological results. A full description, illustrations, phylogenetic tree and key to the species are provided.
A new species of Saxifraga in section Ciliatae subsection Gemmiparae (Saxifragaceae) from Sichuan province, China
Authors: GAO QINGBO , ZHANG ZHUOXIN , CHEN SHILONG , GORNALL RICHARD J.
Published: January 2018

Saxifraga viridipetala Z-X. Zhang & Gornall (Saxifragaceae) is described as a new species. Originating from south-western Sichuan province in China, morphological and molecular evidence (based on chloroplast trnL-F and nuclear ITS DNA sequences) indicate that S. viridipetala is closely related to S. gemmipara, in section Ciliatae. The new species can be diagnosed by its narrowly elliptic, pale green petals spotted purple in the proximal 4/5 part.
On the spider genus Syspira Simon, 1895 (Araneae: Miturgidae) in the Caribbean: four new species from Dominican Republic
Authors: BRESCOVIT ANTONIO D. , SÁNCHEZ-RUIZ ALEXANDER , BONALDO ALEXANDRE B.
Published: January 2018

Four new species of Syspira Simon, 1895 are described: Syspira cimitarra sp. nov., Syspira jimmyi sp. nov., Syspira medialuna sp. nov. and Syspira agujas sp. nov., all endemic in the Dominican Republic.
Description of Metriaclima koningsi, a new species (Teleostei: Cichlidae) from Lake Malaŵi, Malaŵi, Africa
Authors: STAUFFER JAY R., JR.
Published: January 2018

A new species, Metriaclima koningsi, is described from Likoma and Maingano islands in Lake Malaŵi. The species is distinguished from other congeners, except Metriaclima usisyae Li, Konings & Stauffer, by the absence of conspicuous bars along its flank and the presence of a dark submarginal band in the dorsal fin. Males of M. usisyae have gold coloured flanks, while males of M. koningsi have blue flanks.
The Ferret as a Surgical Model for Vocal Fold Scar Creation and Treatment
Authors: Kodama Haruka , Kumai Yoshihiko , Nishimoto Kohei , Toya Yutaka , Miyamaru Satoru , Furushima Shinobu , Yumoto Eiji
Published: January 2018

Objectives:

To develop a vocal fold (VF) scarring procedure in the ferret, characterize the scars histologically, and test the injectability of the lamina propria (LP). Secondarily, to compare laryngeal anatomy of the ferret with rat and rabbit.

Materials and Methods:

The larynges of 18 male ferrets were prepared by unilateral scarring, and normal larynges from 6 female Wistar rats and 5 male albino rabbits were used for comparative purposes. For scarring, the right VF were electrocauterized, ablating the entire LP. Prior to harvesting the larynges at 4 and 16 weeks, each ferret was re-anesthetized, and in 3 animals, India ink was injected into the LPs of both normal and scarred VFs.

Results:

Laryngoscopic methods and instrumentation for precise visualization, scarring, and injection were developed. The scarred VFs had reduced hyaluronic acid and increased collagen type I, III, and fibronectin compared with normal VFs. The 2 timepoints (4 and 16 weeks) differed significantly only in collagen type III level (levels were higher at 4 weeks). Injected ink migrated from scarred LP to muscle layer just beneath the scarred tissue 3 hours after injection.

Conclusion:

The ferret is a promising species for creation and experimental treatment of vocal fold scar.
Utility of 3-Month Surveillance F-18 FDG PET/CT in Surgically Resected Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Marquardt Michael , Anderson Carryn , Ginader Timothy , Parkhurst Jessica , Pagedar Nitin , Bayon Rodrigo , Clamon Gerald , Hoover Andrew , Buatti John
Published: January 2018

Objectives:

To evaluate the performance of surveillance F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) 1 year after imaging in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients treated with definitive surgery and adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy (RT).

Methods and Materials:

Surveillance PET/CT accuracy was retrospectively evaluated in OSCC patients receiving surgical resection and (chemo)RT. Pathologic risk factors were assessed for influence on accuracy of the post-RT PET/CT.

Results:

Fifty-four patients with median follow-up of 3.8 years met inclusion criteria. A PET/CT obtained a median of 3.4 months after RT revealed 11 (20.4%) instances of true disease recurrence: 4 locoregional alone, 6 distant alone, and 1 patient with locoregional and distant disease. Locoregional detection sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were 55.6%, 75.0%, 33.3%, and 88.2%, respectively. For distant recurrence, the respective values were 100%, 95.2%, 77.8%, and 100%. Absence of bone invasion, absence of pT4 disease, and disease within the tongue were independently associated with higher sensitivity ( P = .048). Perineural invasion was associated with increased specificity ( P = .027), and tumor location in the tongue was associated with a higher PPV ( P = .007) on surveillance PET/CT.

Conclusions:

Post-RT PET/CT accuracy information for surgically managed OSCC patients demonstrates significant associations with pathologic factors.
Decolonizing the civic/ethnic binary
Authors: Tinsley Meghan
Published: January 2018

The founding works of nationalism theory identify two overarching categories of nationalism: civic and ethnic. While the former is lauded as liberal, inclusive, and rational, the latter is derided as regressive, restrictive, and exclusionary. More recent work on nationalism has problematized these characterizations, but has largely retained the civic/ethnic binary. This article critiques the civic/ethnic binary from the perspective of postcolonial theory. Drawing on de Sousa Santos’s abyssal line and Fanon’s zones of being and non-being, the article argues that the relationship between metropolis and empire is foundational to the relationship between civic and ethnic nationalism. Yet the category of civic nationalism obscures racialized patterns of exclusion within civic nations, such that the standards of inclusion within a civic nation are constructed on the basis of excluding the nation’s Others. Because civic nationalism is predicated on the creation and denial of Others, presenting civic nationalism as a global ideal is impossible. The article concludes by considering the promise of transnational social movements in the global South as an answer to both civic and ethnic nationalism.
Antecedents of Looming Cognitive Style: Associations With Reported Perceived Parenting and Attachment
Authors: Altan-Atalay Ayşe , Ayvaşık Halise Belgin
Published: January 2018

Looming Cognitive Style, which was proposed as cognitive vulnerability model specific for anxiety disorders, suggests that anxiety-prone individuals have a tendency to perceive threats and dangers as getting closer, becoming larger, and more agonizing every passing minute. Yet, very few studies focused on the family-related variables that are associated with development of Looming Cognitive Style. This study aims to investigate the relationship of Looming Cognitive Style with measures perceived parenting and attachment. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 389 university students aged between 18 and 35 as participants. The participants were assessed through Looming Cognitive Style, perceived parenting, attachment anxiety, and avoidance. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated Looming Cognitive Style to be significantly predicted by maternal overprotection and anxiety dimension of attachment. The results are important in understanding how parenting-related variables are related to development of cognitive vulnerabilities specific to anxiety disorders.
Water and energy saving potential by adopting pressure-reducing measures in high-rise building: A case analysis
Authors: Zhao Jinhui , Xie Xi , Liu Ranbin , Sun Yao , Wu Mengke , Gu Jiahua
Published: January 2018

Indoor domestic water demands are increasing rapidly in many cities of China, among the causes, water wastage due to overpressure outflow (OPO) at water distribution points in buildings, especially in high-rise buildings, is a factor that has not gained much attention. Field tests in 23 high-rise public buildings and laboratory tests were conducted to quantitatively evaluate the influence of water pressure on water consumption in buildings. The water-saving potential by adopting pressure reducing measures was theoretically analyzed and verified based on a case study. Results indicated that water consumption is closely related to water pressure and overpressure outflow is a very common culprit of water wastage in high-rise buildings. Pressure management measures, such as branch pipe pressure-reducing valves, can reduce water consumption in buildings and improve the comfortability of use as well. Based on the laboratory pressure–outflow characteristics study of different water appliances, water-saving potential of pressure reducing measures can be theoretically evaluated. Case study demonstrated a theoretical reduction of 19.4% in water consumption by adopting branch pipe pressure-reducing valves, an actual 14,773 m3 water (11.9% reduction) and 15,955 kWh embodied energy was saved in 2015 after the implementation of branch pipe pressure-reducing valves retrofitting measure. Therefore, despite the current measures of adopting high-efficiency water appliances and/or utilization of unconventional water resources in buildings, implementation of pressure management measures is highly recommended in designing water supply system for new high-rise buildings and reconstruction of water supply system in existing high-rise buildings, thereby, promoting water, energy saving, and development of green building.

Practical application: Water and energy saving in building is gaining more and more attention, however, water wastage due to overpressure outflow in buildings has not gained much attention. Based on field and laboratory tests, the water and energy saving potential in building water supply system were evaluated theoretically and further verified by a case study. Results indicate that pressure management measures such as branch pipe pressure reducing valves (PRVs) can reduce water and energy consumption in buildings. We strongly suggest that pressure management measures should be implemented in buildings, thereby, promoting water, energy saving, and development of green building.
Cross-Sectional PEG Ratios, Market Equity Premium, and Macroeconomic Activity
Authors: Jiang Xiaoquan , Kang Qiang
Published: January 2018

This article explores the information content of PEG ratios (price/earnings to growth ratios) for future aggregate returns and economic fundamentals. We first establish an analytic link between PEG ratios and time-varying expected returns of stocks. We then combine the link with empirical asset pricing models to extract market-wide information from cross-sectional PEG ratios. The resultant cross-section estimates of the risk premiums on stock betas serve as proxies for market-wide information. The proxies contain salient information about future market equity premiums and macroeconomic activity both in-sample and out-of-sample. Moreover, the proxies outperform aggregate PEG ratios and the cross-section beta-premium estimate based on conventional valuation ratios and retain incremental power in forecasting future market equity premiums. The results are robust to using various econometric methods for standard error adjustments.
Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma: A 23‐Year Experience with Emphasis on Low‐Grade Tumors with Close/Positive Margins
Authors: Spellman Joseph , Calzada Gabriel
Published: January 2018

Objective

Describe outcomes for mucoepidermoid carcinoma by histologic grade and evaluate outcomes for patients with low‐grade tumors with close/positive margins after initial surgical resection.

Study Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Kaiser Permanente Southern California Medical Group from 1993 to 2016.

Subjects and Methods

Retrospective review of 154 patients with major and minor salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck. Disease‐specific and recurrence‐free survival were stratified by tumor grade. Subgroup analysis of recurrence‐free survival in patients with low‐grade disease with close or positive margins was also performed.

Results

Five‐year recurrence‐free and disease‐specific survival were excellent for both low‐ and intermediate‐grade tumors, while there was there was a high rate of recurrence and mortality among patients with high‐grade tumors. Patients with low‐grade tumors with close or positive margins who were observed had no difference in recurrence‐free survival compared to those who underwent revision surgery and/or adjuvant radiotherapy.

Conclusions

High‐grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma has poor outcomes despite aggressive treatment. Among patients with low‐grade tumors with close or positive margins on initial resection, additional treatment had no impact on survival or recurrence. Observation may be a reasonable alternative to additional treatment in this select group of patients.
Effectiveness of Transmastoid Plugging for Semicircular Canal Dehiscence Syndrome
Authors: Banakis Hartl Renee M. , Cass Stephen P.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

(1) Evaluate changes in subjective symptoms in patients following transmastoid canal plugging for superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) syndrome. (2) Quantify changes in hearing in patients who have undergone transmastoid canal plugging for SSCD syndrome.

Study Design

Case series with chart review.

Setting

Single tertiary care institution.

Subjects and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed patients with SSCD who underwent repair with canal plugging via a transmastoid approach between January 2012 and January 2017. Symptom severity was assessed prospectively (autophony, sound/pressure‐induced vertigo, disequilibrium, aural fullness, and pulsatile tinnitus) and after surgery. Pure‐tone and speech audiometry were measured before and after surgery. Two‐sided Wilcoxon rank‐sum tests were used to evaluate changes in subjective symptoms and audiometric outcomes.

Results

Seventeen patients (19 ears) met inclusion criteria. The superior canal was successfully plugged via the transmastoid approach in all cases. Patients reported a statistically significant improvement in autophony, vertigo, aural fullness, and pulsatile tinnitus (P <. 01), without significant improvement in disequilibrium rating (P =. 06). There were no changes noted in pure‐tone average or word recognition score; however, there was a statistically significant improvement in air‐bone gap at 250 Hz of 10.9 dB (P =. 04) with 12.9‐dB improvement in air conduction thresholds (P =. 02) and no difference (0.9 dB, P =. 9) in bone conduction thresholds.

Conclusion

In our study, patients with SSCD demonstrated excellent hearing outcomes and resolution of most otologic symptoms after surgical repair. Transmastoid canal plugging, which has been described to date only in smaller case series, is a safe and effective alternative to the traditional middle cranial fossa approach.
Arterial spin labeling: a technical overview
Authors: Havsteen Inger , Damm Nybing Janus , Christensen Hanne , Christensen Anders F
Published: January 2018

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) is a non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging perfusion method based on changes in net-magnetization of blood water. The absence of contrast use and ionizing radiation, renders ASL valuable in hyper-acute settings as a monitoring tool for repeated dynamical measurements during and after intervention, and for patients with known co-morbidities. This text provides a short methodological introduction to ASL and contrasts it with traditional contrast-enhanced perfusion imaging. The review focused on sequence usefulness in the clinical setting of acute cerebral ischemia investigation.
Genetic variation of SMAD3 is associated with hip osteoarthritis in a Chinese Han population
Authors: Zhong Fuhua , Lu Jianwei , Wang Yangxin , Song Hongpu
Published: January 2018

Objective

This study was performed to investigate the association between genetic variation in SMAD3 and hip osteoarthritis (OA) in a Chinese Han population.

Methods

The frequency of two single nucleotide polymorphisms of SMAD3, rs1470002 and rs12901499, was examined in 500 patients with hip OA and 1080 healthy controls in a Chinese Han population. Further analysis was performed according to sex and age.

Results

We detected statistically significant differences in the allele frequency and genotype between the hip OA and healthy control groups. The frequency of the GA+GG and GA genotypes of rs12901499 and the G variant were much higher in patients with hip OA than in healthy controls. This association was also present when the participants were stratified by sex and age. However, there was no significant association between the risk of hip OA and the presence of rs1470002 GA, AA, or GA+AA genotypes, even after sex- and age-stratified analysis.

Conclusions

The SMAD3 SNP rs12901499 GA genotype and G variant may increase the risk of hip OA in Chinese Han patients.
Congenital Short-Bowel Syndrome in an Adult Dog
Authors: Clancy Chad S. , Jensen Khrista A. , Van Wettere Arnaud J.
Published: January 2018

A 3.5-year-old, neutered male pit bull dog was euthanized following an approximately 1-year history of intractable diarrhea and weight loss of undetermined cause. At necropsy, the dog was emaciated. The ratio of total intestinal length (duodenum to rectum) to crown-to-rump length was 2.5, in contrast to an average of 5.3 (range, 3.7–6.1) in 10 control dogs examined at necropsy. There was diffuse dilation of the intestinal lumen, consistent with congenital intestinal hypoplasia resulting in short-bowel syndrome. Histologically, the intestinal mucosal was hyperplastic, further supporting the diagnosis of short-bowel syndrome. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case of this condition in the veterinary literature.
Institutional Betrayal: Inequity, Discrimination, Bullying, and Retaliation in Academia
Authors: Pyke Karen D.
Published: January 2018

Institutions of higher learning dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and committed to diversity should be exemplars of workplace equity. Sadly, they are not. Their failure to take appropriate action to protect employees from inequity, discrimination, bullying, and retaliation amounts to institutional betrayal. The professional code of ethics for sociology, a discipline committed to the study of inequality, instructs sociologists to “strive to eliminate bias in their professional activities” and not to “tolerate any forms of discrimination.” As such, sociologists should be the leaders on our campuses in recognizing institutional betrayals by academic administrators and in promoting workplace equity. Regrettably, we have not accepted this charge. In this address, I call for sociologists to embrace our professional responsibilities and apply our scholarly knowledge and commitments to the reduction of inequality in our own workplace. If we can’t do it here, can we do it anywhere?
Bamboo-imitated pipes for continuous fiber reinforced polyethylene
Authors: Ma Shaoshuai , Tan Hongsheng , Wang Jiali , Liu Ying , Li Qiuhong , Li Huateng
Published: January 2018

Bamboo-imitated pipes for continuous fiber reinforced polyethylene were prepared, and the influences of the bamboo joints and process conditions on the mechanical properties of the pipes were also studied. The results show that the flexural and impact strengths of the bamboo-imitated pipe are significantly improved due to the addition of bamboo joints, and the mechanical properties are gradually improved with the reduction of the bamboo joint spacing. The solid structure of the bamboo joints suppresses the effect of oval deformation for the section under the action of external load, and the suppression effect on the oval deformation of the pipe section is more obvious with the reduction of bamboo joint spacing. At the same time, the flexural strength and the impact strength of the pipe increased firstly and then reduced with the increase of the die temperature.
The Contributions of Perceived CSR Information Substantiality Toward Consumers’ Cognitive, Affective, and Conative Responses
Authors: Hazel Desiree , Kang Jiyun
Published: January 2018

We aim to provide companies an insight into what to consider when communicating their corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices with their consumers. We developed a model, grounded in the hierarchy of effects theory, to determine whether the extent to which information perceived to be substantial delivers significant predictability of consumers’ cognitive beliefs, affect, and behavioral intentions toward an apparel brand when exposed to the brand’s CSR information. Through modeling with data collected from an online survey with 340 nationwide consumers, we demonstrated the significant direct effects of perceived CSR information substantiality on perceived quality of corporate responsibility and brand trustworthiness as well as its indirect effects on brand likability, purchase intention, and social media word-of-mouth intention. We offer managerial implications for firms to maximize the effects of their CSR efforts in drawing positive perceptions and behavioral outcomes among their consumers and therefore gain the momentum to continue such efforts.
Effectiveness of Vancomycin or Beta-Lactam Therapy in Ampicillin-Susceptible Enterococcus spp. Bloodstream Infections
Authors: Fletcher Jesse M. , Kram Shawn J. , Sarubbi Christina B. , Anderson Deverick J. , Kram Bridgette L.
Published: January 2018

Background:

De-escalation to a beta-lactam improves outcomes for patients with a methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (BSI). Whether a similar strategy is appropriate for enterococcal species is less clear.

Objective:

To determine whether definitive antibiotic selection affects outcomes for patients with an ampicillin-susceptible enterococcal BSI.

Methods:

This retrospective cohort study included patients over 18 years of age receiving definitive therapy with vancomycin or a beta-lactam for one or more blood cultures positive for Enterococcus spp. isolates between 2007 and 2014. Survival differences were examined using a Kaplan-Meier curve with log-rank test.

Results:

One-hundred eighty-six patients received definitive therapy with either vancomycin (n = 45, 24.2%) or a beta-lactam (n = 141, 75.8%). The primary outcome, 30-day all-cause mortality, was not different between groups (6.7% vs 7.1%; P = .992). A post hoc analysis of all-cause mortality 1 year after the index BSI was significantly higher in the vancomycin group (51% vs 33%; P = .032). In a Cox proportional hazards regression model, definitive vancomycin was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality at 1 year (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41-4.04).

Conclusion:

For patients with an ampicillin-susceptible enterococcal BSI, definitive therapy with vancomycin or a beta-lactam was not independently associated with a difference in 30-day all-cause mortality. Whether definitive vancomycin is associated with poor long-term outcomes warrants further exploration.
The role of molecular modelling strategies in validating the effects of chrysin on sodium arsenite-induced chromosomal and DNA damage
Authors: Babangida S , Ibrahim S , Muhammad A , Arthur DE , Uzairu A , Garba A
Published: January 2018

Chrysin (CHR) is a food-based bioactive ingredient whereas, sodium arsenite (SA) is one of the major contaminant in drinking water. When ingested, SA contributes to tissue damage due to bioactivation by S-adenosyl methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase. Hence, the needs to nullify this effect by investigating the potentials of CHR on SA-induced genotoxicity in rats. The experiment was divided into two successive stages (ameliorative and preventive, curative studies) for 1 week. Rats were divided into four groups: distilled water, 10mg/kg SA, 10mg/kg CHR and co-administration. In stage 2, the experimental groups were given either CHR or SA for 1 week, and treated in reversed order for additional week. Lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl and DNA fragmentation in liver, blood brain and bone marrow cells micronucleus were assayed for using standard protocols. Molecular docking of SAM-dependent methyltransferase in the presence of CHR was conducted. CHR significantly ( p < 0.05) decreased the level of lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyls and DNA fragmentation in blood, liver and brain tissues as against group treated with SA. It also significantly ( p<0.05) reduced the level of micronuclei generated in bone marrow cells. The effects of CHR were shown to be ameliorative, preventive and curative in nature. Furthermore, CHR was able to dock (with binding energy of −24.81 kcal/mol and predicted inhibition kinetic constant (Ki) of 0.959 µM) into the active site of SAM-dependent methyltransferase with strong hydrogen bond and hydrophobic interactions. The study might have unravelled the potentials of CHR against SA-induced chromosomal and DNA damage, which might be due to inhibition of SAM-dependent methyltransferase.
Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Quality of Life questionnaire into Arabic
Authors: Aziz M M , Galal M A A , Elzohri M H , El-Nouby F , Leong K P
Published: January 2018

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease which affects all aspects of quality of life (QoL) of the patients. Comprehensive patient assessment should include QoL measures in addition to the objective clinical measures of the disease. There is no specific Arabic instrument for assessment of QoL of SLE patients. The objective of this study was to translate and cross culturally adapt the SLEQOL questionnaire into Arabic and test its reliability and validity. The SLEQOL questionnaire was translated into Arabic based on the Guidelines for Translation and Cross-cultural Adaptation into other languages. Reliability was assessed by interviewing patients three times: two interviews on the same day by different interviewers and the third interview 14 days later by one of the first interviewers. Validity was assessed by correlating SLEQOL scores of 91 patients with 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) scores and clinical parameters of the patients. We found that the Arabic version of SLEQOL has a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.936, interobserver and intraobserver correlation coefficients of 0.809 and 0.886 respectively. Strong correlations were also found between SLEQOL scores and SF-36 Physical and Mental Component summaries. In conclusion, the Arabic version of SLEQOL is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring QoL of Egyptian SLE patients.