bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A linear algorithm for the identification of a weakly singular relaxation kernel using two boundary measurements
Authors: Avdonin Sergei , Pandolfi Luciano
Published: April 2018

We consider a distributed system
of a type which is encountered in the study of diffusion processes with memory and in viscoelasticity. The key feature of such a system is the persistence in the future of the past actions due the memory described via a certain relaxation kernel; see below.
The parameters of the kernel have to be inferred from experimental measurements. Our main result in this paper is that by using two boundary measurements, the identification of a relaxation kernel which is a linear combination of Abel kernels (as often assumed in applications) can be reduced to the solution of a (linear) deconvolution problem.
Systematic Constraint Selection Strategy for Rate-Controlled Constrained-Equilibrium Modeling of Complex Nonequilibrium Chemical Kinetics
Authors: Beretta Gian Paolo , Rivadossi Luca , Janbozorgi Mohammad
Published: April 2018

Rate-Controlled Constrained-Equilibrium (RCCE) modeling of complex chemical kinetics provides acceptable accuracies with much fewer differential equations than for the fully Detailed Kinetic Model (DKM). Since its introduction by James C. Keck, a drawback of the RCCE scheme has been the absence of an automatable, systematic procedure to identify the constraints that most effectively warrant a desired level of approximation for a given range of initial, boundary, and thermodynamic conditions. An optimal constraint identification has been recently proposed. Given a DKM with S species, E elements, and R reactions, the procedure starts by running a probe DKM simulation to compute an S-vector that we call overall degree of disequilibrium (ODoD) because its scalar product with the S-vector formed by the stoichiometric coefficients of any reaction yields its degree of disequilibrium (DoD). The ODoD vector evolves in the same (S-E)-dimensional stoichiometric subspace spanned by the R stoichiometric S-vectors. Next we construct the rank-(S-E) matrix of ODoD traces obtained from the probe DKM numerical simulation and compute its singular value decomposition (SVD). By retaining only the first C largest singular values of the SVD and setting to zero all the others we obtain the best rank-C approximation of the matrix of ODoD traces whereby its columns span a C-dimensional subspace of the stoichiometric subspace. This in turn yields the best approximation of the evolution of the ODoD vector in terms of only C parameters that we call the constraint potentials. The resulting order-C RCCE approximate model reduces the number of independent differential equations related to species, mass, and energy balances from S+2 to C+E+2, with substantial computational savings when C ≪ S-E.
Energy and Exergy Analysis of Multi-Temperature PCMs Employed in a Latent Heat Storage System and Parabolic Trough Collector
Authors: Nagappan Beemkumar , Alagu Karthikeyan , Devarajan Yuvarajan , Munuswamy Dinesh Babu
Published: April 2018

This study represents the exergy analysis of the evacuated tube parabolic trough collector and the cascaded latent heat storage system using multi-temperature phase change material (PCMs) during the charging process. The objective of the work is to control the losses and increase the efficiency of the system. The exergy analysis has been conducted on the basis of the first and second laws of thermodynamics in a parabolic trough collector with various mass flow rates of the heat transfer fluid (HTF). The overall variation of exergy efficiency of the collector with varying mass flow rate of the HTF is 5.9 %. The thermodynamic analysis of the cascaded latent heat storage system has been done during the charging process in which the PCM absorbs energy from the HTF and undergoes a phase transformation from the solid to the liquid state. The exergy analysis is conducted by varying the mass flow rate of the HTF in the storage system for both insulated and non-insulated systems. It is noticed that the variation of exergy stored for 5 and 10 liters per minute is 24.609 kW and 40.48 kW, respectively. It is concluded that the high range of energy and exergy stored in the system is achieved by the high flow rate of the HTF.
Study of the Different Optical Filters in SAC-OCDMA System
Authors: Djellab H. , Doghmane N. , Bouarfa A. , Kandouci M.
Published: April 2018

Spectral amplitude coding for optical code division multiple access (SAC-OCDMA) networks has received much attention over the last two decades. This article aims to explore the impact of encoder change on different types of optical filters, such as the Gaussian optical filter and the Bessel optical filter, for high data rates and to give an overview on importance of choosing the optimal type of optical filter according to the frequency range selected by the user is 25 and 50 GHz. SAC-OCDMA transmitter utilizes Wavelength Division Multiplexing multiplexer (WDM MUX) as an encoder, to generate a code having low cross-correlation called Random Diagonal code, and spectral direct detection as a detection technique. The change of optical filter, in WDM MUX, directly affects the performance of the system. The results show that the system for 50 GHz, with a WDM MUX, using a Gaussian optical filter has better performance compared to the optical Bessel filter and can reach a bit error rate (BER) of 10−25. SAC-OCDMA system, using a WDM MUX based on Bessel filters with a bit rate of 300Mb/s, achieves a BER of 10−28 which leads us to recommend it for second norm 25 GHz. Moreover, the power received increases by 4 dBm every 20 Km with the increase in the length of the fibre for both filters Bessel and Gaussian. Our work focuses on the two 25 and 50 GHz bands, after a study on the impact of the change of the bandwidth and the order of the different optical filters used according to the BER applied to the different networks of access, such as local area network (LAN).
Anencephaly and obstetric outcome beyond the age of viability
Authors: Al-Obaidly Sawsan , Thomas Jis , Abu Jubara Mahmoud , Al Ibrahim Abdullah , Al-Belushi Mariam , Saleh Najah , Al-Mansouri Zeena , Khenyab Najat
Published: April 2018

Objective

To review the obstetric impact and natural history of anencephalic pregnancies beyond the age of viability.

Study design

A retrospective chart review of all cases with a prenatal diagnosis of anencephaly who delivered after 24 weeks’ gestation during the period 1990 until 2016. Obstetric outcomes including mode of delivery, live births, shoulder dystocia, antepartum haemorrhage (APH), postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) and uterine rupture were studied.

Results

A total of 42 cases were studied. The average gestational age at diagnosis was 22 weeks (range 10–41). The average gestational age at birth was 36 weeks (range 25–44 weeks). Induction of labour was performed in 55% (23/42) of the cases. Livebirths were documented in 40% (17/42) of the cases. The average birth weight was 1597±746 g. The rate of vaginal birth was 69% (29/42), the overall rate of caesarean section was 31% (13/42), with a primary caesarean section in 31% (4/13) and a repeat caesarean section in 69% (9/13) of the patients. There were two cases of shoulder dystocia. No other complications were encountered.

Conclusion

Overall, anencephaly is not associated with an increased risk of obstetric complications; however, there is a tendency towards delivery via repeated caesarean section in women with a previous uterine scar and anencephaly. The prenatal counselling of potential obstetric outcomes could be of robust value for parents who opt to continue with anencephalic pregnancies.
Computerized prediction system for the route of delivery (vaginal birth versus cesarean section)
Authors: Beksac Mehmet Sinan , Tanacan Atakan , Bacak Hikmet Ozge , Leblebicioglu Kemal
Published: April 2018

Aim

To develop a supportive computerized prediction system for the route of delivery.

Materials and methods

This study consisted of 2127, 3548 and 1723 deliveries for the years 1976, 1986 and 1996, respectively. We have developed a supervised artificial neural network (ANN) for predicting the delivery route. We have used a back-propagation learning algorithm for this purpose. The data used for the computerized system were obtained during the admission of the patients to the delivery room at the beginning of the first stage of labor after pelvic examination and examination/evaluation of the mother and fetus. The input variables for the ANN were maternal age, gravida, parity, gestational age at birth, necessity and type of labor induction, presentation of the baby at birth, and maternal disorders and/or risk factors. The outputs of the algorithm were vaginal delivery or cesarean section (CS).

Results

The CS rates in 1976, 1986 and 1996 were 9.1%, 18.5% and 44.5%, respectively. We have demonstrated that the system’s specificity and sensitivity were 97.5% and 60.9%, respectively. The false positive rate was 2.5%, whereas the false negative rate was 39.1%. The positive and negative predictive values were 81.8% and 93.1%, respectively.

Conclusion

Our computerized system, heretofore named as the “Adana System,” can be used as a supportive decision-making system for predicting the delivery route. The Adana System might be a useful tool to protect physicians against adverse medicolegal issues.
Paradox of crosses in association football (soccer) – a game-theoretic explanation
Authors: Sarkar Sumit
Published: April 2018

In association football, crosses from the wide areas of the pitch in the attacking third is a standard tactic for creating goal-scoring opportunities. But recent studies show that crosses adversely impact goals. Regression run in this paper on data from the premier soccer leagues of England, Spain, Germany, France and Italy for 2016–2017 season also found this inverse relation. However, there is no research that explains the reason for this inverse relation between crosses and goals. A game-theoretical model developed in this paper explains why crosses adversely affect goal-scoring. The model identifies a mixed strategy Nash equilibrium (MSNE), wherein the attacking team’s probability of playing a cross decreases with increase in their crossing accuracy, heading accuracy and probability of winning aerial balls. If the attacking team is good in terms of these parameters, the defending team’s probability of using an offside trap increases and that forces the attacking team to use crosses less frequently. In the MSNE, teams with a greater chance of scoring from crosses use the crosses less frequently than teams having a smaller chance of scoring from crosses. The theory was subsequently validated using the data of the 2016–2017 football season.
The Sound of Drivel
Authors: Pérez-Luzardo Díaz Jessica , González-Ruiz Víctor
Published: April 2018

This paper describes an experiment dealing with the manipulation of style in consecutive interpreting in the context of the law. In it, several groups of Spanish law undergraduates assessed two performances by a consecutive interpreter. The interpreter in both performances translated a German-language lecture on constitutional law into Spanish, the only difference between the two renditions being the style used in the target language: in one of them, plain language; in the other, a style reminiscent of complex traditional legal drafting. The results of this study are presented and discussed in this paper, which combines the issue of plain language in legal translation and interpreting, with the concept of style as a quality parameter in interpreting. These results, which suggest that even the most junior law students have a liking for conventional elaborate drafting, should serve as elements of reflection for trainers of both legal professionals and interpreters.
Strategies and Outcomes in Translating Industrial Relations Concepts in EU Texts
Authors: Manzella Pietro
Published: April 2018

Drawing on the examination of a national-specific industrial relations practice – Italy’sammortizzatori sociali– this paper intends to provide an analysis of the strategies put in place by translators at the European Union to render peculiar concepts in English in official texts and to evaluate the translation process outcome in terms of effectiveness and clarity of meaning. To this purpose, a corpus of documents has been scrutinised that have been produced in Italian and then translated into English containing the expressionammortizzatori sociali. The findings of the analysis show that different approaches have been used by EU translators to render this notion which give rise to distinct outcomes as far as translation equivalence and faithfulness are concerned.
Übersetzung der Bewertung in literarischen Dialogen
Authors: Pavić Pintarić Anita
Published: April 2018

This paper deals with the analysis of evaluative expressionsgutandschlechtin the corpus of dialogues from the novel „Herr der Diebe“ by Cornelia Funke. The hypothesis was thatgutandschlechtalways have an evaluative function and that they are linked with emotions as the background of evaluation. Evaluative expressions are described on the following levels: first, it is shown what is evaluated with these adjectives. The application of the appraisal theory by Martin and White (2005) shows which categories the evaluation collocations refer to. Finally, the translation of evaluative expressions from the source text into the target text in Croatian is investigated.
Into the light: atypical diurnal foraging activity of Blyth’s horseshoe bat,Rhinolophus lepidus(Chiroptera: Rhinolophidae) on Tioman Island, Malaysia
Authors: Chua Marcus A.H. , Aziz Sheema Abdul
Published: April 2018

Diurnal flight and foraging activity in insectivorous bats are atypical behaviours that have been recorded from islands with few avian predators and from locations with extended daylight hours. We present the first known observations of diurnal activity ofRhinolophus lepidusin forests on Tioman Island, Malaysia, recorded using visual surveys and acoustic monitoring. The bats were flying during the day and at night, and feeding buzzes detected suggest that they were actively foraging during the day. This appears to be a regular phenomenon on Tioman Island. The absence of resident diurnal avian predators that hunt below the forest canopy may account for the diurnal activity ofR. lepidusin forests there.
Positive periodic solutions for singular high-order neutral functional differential equations
Authors: Kong Fanchao , Luo Zhiguo , Lu Shiping
Published: April 2018

In this paper, we establish new results on the existence of positive periodic solutions for the following high-order neutral functional differential equation (NFDE)

(
x
(
t
)
−
c
x
(
t
−
σ
)

)

(
2
m
)

+
f
(
x
(
t
)
)

x
′

(
t
)
+
g
(
t
,
x
(
t
−
δ
)
)
=
e
(
t
)
.

$$\begin{array}{}
(x(t)-cx(t-\sigma)) ^{(2m)}+f(x(t)) x'(t)+g(t,x(t-\delta))=e(t).
\end{array}$$

The interesting thing is that g has a strong singularity at x = 0 and satisfies a small force condition at x = ∞, which is different from the corresponding ones known in the literature. Two examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of our results.
Terahertz wave interaction with metallic nanostructures
Authors: Kang Ji-Hun , Kim Dai-Sik , Seo Minah
Published: April 2018

Understanding light interaction with metallic structures provides opportunities of manipulation of light, and is at the core of various research areas including terahertz (THz) optics from which diverse applications are now emerging. For instance, THz waves take full advantage of the interaction to have strong field enhancement that compensates their relatively low photon energy. As the THz field enhancement have boosted THz nonlinear studies and relevant applications, further understanding of light interaction with metallic structures is essential for advanced manipulation of light that will bring about subsequent development of THz optics. In this review, we discuss THz wave interaction with deep sub-wavelength nano structures. With focusing on the THz field enhancement by nano structures, we review fundamentals of giant field enhancement that emerges from non-resonant and resonant interactions of THz waves with nano structures in both sub- and super- skin-depth thicknesses. From that, we introduce surprisingly simple description of the field enhancement valid over many orders of magnitudes of conductivity of metal as well as many orders of magnitudes of the metal thickness. We also discuss THz interaction with structures in angstrom scale, by reviewing plasmonic quantum effect and electron tunneling with consequent nonlinear behaviors. Finally, as applications of THz interaction with nano structures, we introduce new types of THz molecule sensors, exhibiting ultrasensitive and highly selective functionalities.
Crystal structure of dichlorido bis[1-[(2-methyl-1H-benzoimidazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-benzotriazole-κ1
N]cadmium(II), C30H26CdCl2N10
Authors: Wang Xia , Ling Ning , Li Yu-Xian , Zhang Shu-Ling
Published: April 2018

[Cd(C15H13N5)2Cl2], monoclinic, C2/c (no. 15), a = 15.6291(6) Å, b = 12.8859(4) Å, c = 14.7622(5) Å, β = 97.781(3)°, V = 2945.65(18) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0381, ωRref(F2) = 0.0738, T = 293(2) K.
Crystal structure of dichlorido[1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ferrocene-κ2
P,P′]zinc(II), C34H28FeCl2P2Zn
Authors: Liguo Yang , Xin Wang , Qingyun Liu , Nana Liu , Yuqiang Dai
Published: April 2018

C34H28FeCl2P2Zn, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 9.6794(11) Å, b = 9.7989(10) Å, c = 18.2141(19) Å, α = 95.8740(10)°, β = 99.9350(10)°, γ = 115.596(2)°, V = 1503.9(3) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0362, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0964, T = 298 K.
Synthesis and crystal structure of catena-poly[bis(2-(2-((2,6-dichlorophenyl)amino)phenyl)acetato-κO;κ2
O′,O′′)-(μ2-1,4-di(pyridin-4-yl)benzene-κ2
N:N′)zinc(II)], C44H32N4ZnCl4O4
Authors: Song Wei , Xu Xue-Li , Yang Yan-Ju , Li Shi-Hui
Published: April 2018

C44H32N4O4Cl4Zn, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 7.3158(2) Å, b = 13.6944(5) Å, c = 20.4081(6) Å, α = 82.930(3)°, β = 89.667(2)°, γ = 88.034(3)°, V = 2027.85(11) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0430, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.1141, T = 293(2) K.
Crystal structure of bis(μ-N-i-propyl-N-n-propyldithiocarbamato-κ2
S:S′) bis(N-i-propyl-N-n-propyldithiocarbamato-κ2
S,S′)dizinc(II), C28H56N4S8Zn2
Authors: Tan Yee Seng , Tiekink Edward R.T.
Published: April 2018

C28H56N4S8Zn2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 9.4123(2) Å, b = 19.2708(4) Å, c = 11.5228(3) Å, β = 107.202(2)°, V = 1996.54(8) Å3, Z = 2, R
gt(F) = 0.0254, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0572, T = 100(2) K.
New York at its Core: A Review of an Exhibition at the City Museum of New York
Authors: Wide Thomas
Published: April 2018

Thomas Wide visits a recent exhibition on the history of New York City
MHD Double-diffusive boundary-layer flow of a Maxwell nanofluid over a bidirectional stretching sheet with Soret and Dufour effects in the presence of radiation
Authors: Prasannakumara B.C. , Gnaneswara Reddy M. , Thammanna G.T. , Gireesha B.J.
Published: April 2018

The laminar boundary layer MHD three-dimensional mixed convective flow of Maxwell nanofluid towards a bidirectional stretching sheet with non-linear radiation is analyzed. A constant magnetic field is implemented normal to the fluid flow direction. A numerical technique of Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg (RFK45) is utilized to obtain the numerical solution of the dimensionless coupled ODEs with associated boundary conditions. The various pertinent dimensionless parameters on the flow are examined with the help of graphs and tables. Results shows that, nonlinear thermal radiation is more influential o on temperature profile when compared to linear thermal radiation.
B-spline Wavelet Method for Solving Fredholm Hammerstein Integral Equation Arising from Chemical Reactor Theory
Authors: Sahu P. K. , Ranjan A. K. , Saha Ray S.
Published: April 2018

Mathematical model for an adiabatic tubular chemical reactor which processes an irreversible exothermic chemical reaction has been considered. For steady state solution for an adiabatic tubular chemical reactor, the model can be reduced to ordinary differential equation with a parameter in the boundary conditions. Again the ordinary differential equation has been converted into a Hammerstein integral equation which can be solved numerically. B-spline wavelet method has been developed to approximate the solution of Hammerstein integral equation. This method reduces the integral equation to a system of algebraic equations. The numerical results obtained by the present method have been compared with the available results.
Exponential Stability of Impulsive Delay Differential Equations by using Weight Function
Authors: Singh Palwinder , Srivastava Sanjay K. , Kaur Kanwalpreet
Published: April 2018

In present study, some sufficient conditions for the exponential stability of impulsive delay differential equations are obtained by introducing weight function in the norm and applying the concept of Lyapunov functions and Razumikhin techniques. The function ψ plays the role of weight and hence increases the rate of convergence towards stability. The obtained results are demonstrated with examples.
New Public Governance, Social Services, and the Potential of Co-Located Nonprofit Centers for Improved Collaborations
Authors: Vinokur-Kaplan Diane
Published: April 2018

New Public Governance’s approach to public management seeks to both decrease costs and to increase the overall efficiency and effectiveness of publicly-funded services. It further emphasizes effective, efficient collaborations among service providers, and well-functioning networks of service-providers connected with government funders. One conceivable vehicle to promote collaborations among nonprofits providing contracted services is to establish co-located nonprofit centers. In such a multi-tenant building, its owner or master lease-holder, which is usually a nonprofit, would recruit other nonprofits to rent space and use shared resources and/or services in its shared-space workplace. Typically, these workplaces are more affordable, stable, efficient, and of higher quality than their current offices. Also, nonprofit centers often enthusiastically promote cooperation and collaboration among their tenants. Several hundred such centers already exist in the United States and Canada. Two profiles of two nonprofit centers where co-located organizations collaboratively provide social services, as well as some survey results, are presented to illustrate that nonprofit center sites are indeed operational and could be a vehicle to help support collaborative goals of New Public Governance.
Physiotherapeutic interventions in patients with migraines
Authors: Piejko L.
Published: April 2018

Migraine headaches represent one of the most frequent chronic problems which significantly impact on the limitation of everyday human functioning. Despite pharmacological treatment, many people also need preventive care to reduce intensity of the symptoms of the disease, reduce frequency of migraine attack and to enhance the response to the abortive treatment. New strategies of combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment have been demonstrated to be as effective as taking modern medicines. Unfortunately, the awareness of availability and effectiveness of non-pharmacological methods to treat migraines remains to be insufficient. Therefore, the need arises for educating medical staffs and patients and continuation of the research in this field of science. The study presents a brief characterization of the disease, discusses non-pharmacological methods to treat migraines and proposes the guidelines for physiotherapists to be used in the clinical practice.
Morphology and thermal properties of clay based biocomposites
Authors: Bounabi Leila , Bouslah Mokhnachi Naima , Djadoun Amar , Haddadine Nabila , Barille Regis
Published: April 2018

Carboxymethylcellulose/poly(ethylene glycol) (CMC/PEG) blend and CMC/PEG/montmorillonite (MMT) nanocomposites were produced by the solvent casting method. The clay, a sodium MMT, was incorporated in the polymer matrix at low weight loadings (from 1 wt% to 7 wt%). The MMT dispersion in the matrix was evaluated by X-ray diffraction, which revealed an intercalated structure of the nanocomposites. Different levels of intercalation have been detected. The changes in morphology caused by the addition of layered silicate on CMC/PEG blend were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM images of CMC/PEG blend containing 5% of MMT displayed more homogenous morphology than CMC/PEG blend. The compatibilizing performance of the filler was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The effect of the introduction of the clay on the crystallization temperature, melting temperature and crystallization degree of CMC/PEG revealed that clay behaved as a nucleating agent and enhanced the crystallization rate of PEG. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the addition of a small percentage of montmorillonite (1%) was enough to improve the thermal stability of the nanocomposites.
Electronic wastes
Authors: Regel-Rosocka Magdalena
Published: April 2018

E-waste amount is growing at about 4% annually, and has become the fastest growing waste stream in the industrialized world. Over 50 million tons of e-waste are produced globally each year, and some of them end up in landfills causing danger of toxic chemicals leakage over time. E-waste is also sent to developing countries where informal processing of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) causes serious health and pollution problems. A huge interest in recovery of valuable metals from WEEE is clearly visible in a great number of scientific, popular scientific publications or government and industrial reports.
Physicochemical Stability of 5 mg/mL Pediatric Prednisone Oral Suspension in Syrspend® SF PH4
Authors: Bonnaure Anne-Claire , Bellay Romain , Rault Pauline , Lester Marie-Antoinette , Boivin Pierre-Nicolas
Published: April 2018

Background

Prednisone is a corticosteroid used in several inflammatory diseases and cancers. In France, no available prednisone drinkable formulation exists. Instead, an oral syrup of prednisone with ethanol, sodium benzoate and simple syrup is produced. However, sodium benzoate can induce neonatal icterus and alcohol is not authorized for children below 3 years of age. The aim of this study was to determine the stability of 5 mg/mL prednisone oral suspension in a commercial compounding excipient: Syrspend® SF PH4.

Methods

Three batches of oral suspensions were prepared, using micronized prednisone and Syrspend® SF PH4. They were packaged in amber glass vials and stored at room temperature. On day 0, 1, 4, 10, 30, 60 and 90, we observed physical and chemical stability (pH measurement, osmolality measurement, residual concentrations of prednisone and degradation product identification). A stability indicating method was developed using high performance liquid chromatography with Ultraviolet detection at 254 nm.

Results

Prednisone concentrations remained stable within ± 5 % of nominal values for 60 days. No degradation product and change of physicochemical properties were detected.

Conclusion

This study showed that 5 mg/mL prednisone oral suspension in Syrspend® SF PH4 is stable for 60 days, at room temperature and protected from light.
Paediatric formulation: budesonide 0.1 mg/mL viscous oral solution for eosinophilic esophagitis using cyclodextrins
Authors: Ey Caroline , Hosselet Christel , Villon Benjamin , Marçon Frédéric
Published: April 2018

Background

Viscous oral solutions of budesonide (dose range: 1 mg to 2 mg) have long been used to treat eosinophilic oesophagitis in children. The objective of the present study was to provide a convenient paediatric pharmaceutical formulation of a viscous budesonide solution at a dose level of 0.1 mg/mL, using cyclodextrin as a solubilizer.

Methods

Solubility studies were performed with γ-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin, and viscosity was tested with a Brookfield viscometer. The stability of the final formulation was tested in a climatic chamber. Levels of budesonide, budesonide impurities and degradation products were assayed using the HPLC–UV method described for the budesonide-related substance assay in the European Pharmacopoeia monograph.

Results

The solubility of budesonide increased linearly with both cyclodextrins. Gamma cyclodextrin (complexation efficiency: 0.147) was preferred to hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (complexation efficiency: 0.064) as a solubilizing agent. Hydroxypropylcellulose (1 % m/v) was added to increase viscosity, and sucralose was added to improve palatability. The sterilized, filtered, final formulation was stable for at least 3 months when packed aseptically in sterile 15 mL type 1 amber glass vials.

Conclusions

We have developed a convenient, stable, preservative-free, viscous formulation of a budesonide solution for the hospital- and home-based treatment of paediatric patients.
EPR measurement of environmental radiation using human fingernails
Authors: Noori Abbas , Ziaie Farhood , Mostajab M.
Published: April 2018

In this research work, human fingernails were utilized to estimate the radiation dose using EPR measurements of radiation-induced radicals. The limiting factors in this research were the presence of mechanical induced EPR signals due to the mechanical stress during the preparation of the samples. The mechanically induced signals overlap with the radiation-induced signal, which considerably can overestimate the dose. Thus, different treatment methods of fingernails were used to reduce the mechanical induced signals. The results demonstrate that the mechanical and radiation induced signals have apparently different microwave power saturation behavior. Also, mechanical induced signal shows a fading evolution vs. time and reaches to a constant value. Chemical treatment using the different reagents showed that the minimum mechanical induced signal was obtained using the dithiothreitol reagent. The dose response curves of the treated samples with dithiothreitol for 30 min demonstrated a more linearity, and closer curves in comparison to those treated in 5 min. Therefore, to find out an unknown absorbed dose in a fingernail sample using a calibration curve, it could be recommended to use the mentioned chemical treatment procedure to reduce the uncertainty.
Prevalence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain symptoms among school-age adolescents: age and sex differences
Authors: Keeratisiroj Orawan , Siritaratiwat Wantana
Published: April 2018

Background and aims:

Non-specific musculoskeletal pain symptoms are common in adolescents and may differ between the sexes, and be related to age and daily activities. It is critical to examine the prevalence and frequency of symptoms in adolescent students who tend to have pain which interferes with their routine activities. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and frequency of self-reported musculoskeletal pain symptoms by age and sex, and we also examined the association of symptoms with routine activities of school-age adolescents by area of pain.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Thai students aged 10–19 years. All 2,750 students were asked to report previous 7-day and/or 12-month pain using the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire (Thai version) in 10 body areas. Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age and sex was used to analyze the association between daily activity and musculoskeletal pain symptoms.

Results:

A total of 76.1% (n=2,093) of students reported experiencing pain in the previous 7 days, 73.0% (n=2,007) reported in the previous 12-month period and 83.8% (n=2,304) reported pain in both 7-day and 12-month periods. The most common pain area was from a headache, with other areas being neck and shoulders, in that order, for both periods of time. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was especially higher in older groups and females. Participants reported frequency of pain as “sometimes in different areas” ranging from 78.4% to 88% and severity of pain at 3.82±2.06 out of 10 (95% CI 3.74–3.91). Routine daily activities associated with symptoms of headache, neck, shoulders, and ankles or feet pain were computer use (head, OR=2.22), school bag carrying (neck, OR=2.05), school bag carrying (shoulder, OR=3.09), and playing sports (ankle or foot, OR=2.68).

Conclusions:

The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain symptoms was high in both the previous 7-day and 12-month periods, especially in females and older adolescents, although most of them sometimes experienced pain. Computer use and school bag carrying were associated with headache, neck and shoulder pain, while playing sports was related to symptoms of the foot and ankle.

Implications:

The prevalence of pain was high, particularly in the older and female groups. Although they experienced mild symptoms sometimes, the related daily activities leading to these symptoms should be closely noticed.
Morning cortisol and fasting glucose are elevated in women with chronic widespread pain independent of comorbid restless legs syndrome
Authors: Stehlik Romana , Ulfberg Jan , Zou Ding , Hedner Jan , Grote Ludger
Published: April 2018

Background and aims:

Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is associated with poor quality of sleep, but the detailed underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. In this study we investigated the influence of CWP on morning cortisol and fasting glucose concentrations as well as sleep disordered breathing.

Methods:

In this case-control study, subjects with CWP (n=31) and a control group without CWP (n=23) were randomly selected from a population-based cohort of women. Current pain intensity, sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness [Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS)], psychiatric comorbidity and occurrence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) were assessed. Overnight polygraphy was applied to quantify sleep apnoea, airflow limitation and attenuations of finger pulse wave amplitude (>50%) as a surrogate marker for increased skin sympathetic activity. Morning cortisol and fasting glucose concentrations were determined. Generalised linear models were used for multivariate analyses.

Results:

CWP was associated with higher cortisol (464±141 vs. 366±111 nmol/L, p=0.011) and fasting glucose (6.0±0.8 vs. 5.4±0.7 mmol/L, p=0.007) compared with controls. The significance remained after adjustment for age, body mass index, RLS and anxiety status (β=122±47 nmol/L and 0.89±0.28 mmol/L, p=0.009 and 0.001, respectively). The duration of flow limitation in sleep was longer (35±22 vs. 21±34 min, p=0.022), and pulse wave attenuation was more frequent (11±8 vs. 6±2 events/h, p=0.048) in CWP subjects compared with controls. RLS was associated with higher ESS independent of CWP (β=3.1±1.3, p=0.018).

Conclusions:

Elevated morning cortisol, impaired fasting glucose concentration and increased skin sympathetic activity during sleep suggested an activated adrenal medullary system in subjects with CWP, which was not influenced by comorbid RLS.

Implications:

CWP is associated with activated stress markers that may deteriorate sleep.
Slowed Down Economisation: The Persistence of Alternative Trade Organisations
Authors: Arnold Nadine , Hammer Isabel
Published: April 2018

Have Swiss Alternative Trade Organizations (ATOs) valorized economic aspects at the expense of their social mission for the longer term? From a historical perspective (1974–2013), this article shows how these social enterprises have maintained their social purpose and inhibited the course of organizational economization. We identify three deceleration strategies: involving volunteers, direct trading partnerships with producers, focusing on the sales niche. The article shows how and why economization processes are malleable and not inevitable.
The Feeling of Insecurity Among the Elderly: Between Environmental Changes and Individual Fragility
Authors: Kimber Leah R. , Burton-Jeangros Claudine , Riom Loïc , Hummel Cornelia
Published: April 2018

The literature frequently argues that the feeling of insecurity might be greater among the elderly than in other population groups. Based on results of a qualitative study which consisted of 51 interviews with people aged between 70 and 92 years old, this paper proposes to approach the feeling of insecurity from the actors’ perspective. This allows us to take into account the perception of the elderly in order to dispose of the age-related vision that tends to erase the effects of fragility due to aging.
On the Construction of 24 Hours Care for the Elderly in the Swiss Media
Authors: Schwiter Karin , Pelzelmayer Katharina , Thurnherr Isabelle
Published: April 2018

This article analyses Swiss media coverage of 24 hours care between 2003 and 2013. Based on a discourse analysis we observe that the dominant media discourse speaks of a booming market that criticises agencies, victimises carers and idealises home care. In our discussion we analyse these results with a focus on the so-called blind spots of this media discourse. In particular, we challenge the claim of a boom in 24h care, shed light on the negative aspects of home care, and address the ignored responsibility of the family as employer.
“If you don’t get better, you may come back here”: proposing conditioned follow-ups to the doctor’s office
Authors: Beck Nielsen Søren
Published: April 2018

Previous research has established that conversationalists treat “arrangement making” as closure implicative contributions. This study adds “conditioned arrangement making” to the list with an examination of how general practitioners propose conditioned follow-ups to patients, that is, the opportunity to return to the clinic if their condition does not improve or if it should worsen. The data consists of 52 audio-/video-recorded naturally occurring general practice consultations in Denmark. Using the conversation analytic method, the paper examines why the hypotheticality of this particular kind of proposition making is a resource for practitioners in terms of accomplishing progression towards termination of the consultation, and also in terms of accomplishing agreement upon appropriate, responsible and reassuring treatment plans. Among other things, conditioned follow-up propositions enable doctors to communicate “no problem” diagnoses while preserving care continuity. The study, therefore, contributes to the understanding of how use of grammatical formats such as conditional clauses influences institutional interaction.
Model Simulation and Design Optimization of a Can Combustor with Methane/Syngas Fuels for a Micro Gas Turbine
Authors: Liu Chi-Rong , Sun Ming-Tsung , Shih Hsin-Yi
Published: April 2018

The design and model simulation of a can combustor has been made for future syngas combustion application in a micro gas turbine. An improved design of the combustor is studied in this work, where a new fuel injection strategy and film cooling are employed. The simulation of the combustor is conducted by a computational model, which consists of three-dimensional, compressible k-ε model for turbulent flows and PPDF (Presumed Probability Density Function) model for combustion process invoking a laminar flamelet assumption generated by detailed chemical kinetics from GRI 3.0. Thermal and prompt NOxmechanisms are adopted to predict the NO formation. The modeling results indicated that the high temperature flames are stabilized in the center of the primary zone by radially injecting the fuel inward. The exit temperatures of the modified can combustor drop and exhibit a more uniform distribution by coupling film cooling, resulting in a low pattern factor. The combustion characteristics were then investigated and the optimization procedures of the fuel compositions and fuel flow rates were developed for future application of methane/syngas fuels in the micro gas turbine.
Predicting Lean Blowout and Emissions of Aircraft Engine Combustion Chamber Based on CRN
Authors: Xiao Yinli , Lai Zhengxin , Wang Zupeng , Chen Kefei
Published: April 2018

To predict the pollutant emissions and lean blowout, chemical reactor network (CRN) model is applied to the modern aircraft engine combustion chamber. In this study, the CRN which represent the major features of aerodynamics and combustion in the combustion chamber is set up based on the OpenFOAM simulation results. The boundary and the initial conditions used for the CRN derive from the operating modes of typical aircraft engine cycle. A 21 species 30 steps chemical mechanism of kerosene is employed in the CRN method. The levels of pollutant emissions are obtained under four ICAO engine power settings of idle, approach climb and take off. The lean blowout equivalent ratio is evaluated at the idle power setting. The results will be helpful to predict the aircraft engine exhaust emissions and lean blowout (LBO).
A Multi-Regulator Linear Matrix Inequalities Approach for Aircraft Engine Limit Management
Authors: Qin Jiakun , Pan Muxuan , Huang Jinquan
Published: April 2018

A new control scheme is proposed for aircraft engines, where the object is to transfer a regulated output (called main output) between two set-points, with the additional requirement that a set of outputs (called auxiliary outputs) remains within prescribed ranges. According to the prior outcomes, no assurance exists to protect output limits in transient regime by use of a traditional min-max scheme with linear compensators. To achieve a satisfied control performance for a corresponding output, each limitation loop is design separately. However, some auxiliary outputs still exceed their limits when other loop regulators are active or overshoot occurs. To overcome this problem, a linear matrix inequalities (LMI) approach is developed by considering the limit values in regulator design of other loops and the condition for no overshoot of auxiliary outputs. Finally, practical applicability is further demonstrated by numerical simulation. The results show that the designed controller can achieve a satisfactory dynamic and steady performance and keep the auxiliary outputs within constraints.
Lebensform and “socio-cultural background”
Authors: Baran Marcin
Published: April 2018

The main part of the philosophical activity of Charles Taylor may be characterized as philosophical anthropology. This philosophical anthropology is above all an attempt to overcome what he calls the epistemological construal i. e. a set of false anthropological beliefs spread in the modern western philosophy like: disengaged subject, the punctual self and social atomism. His critique of the anthropological beliefs draws, among other thinkers, heavily on Ludwig Wittgenstein's reflections on language and his social nature in Philosophical Investigations. To the disengaged subject and punctual self Taylor opposes the embodied subject, a human agent that is impossible to define without his language depending entirely on the “form of life”, an inescapable social context in which he is embedded. Thus Taylor emphasizes the basic connection between the self and the community, which is being falsely compromised by social atomism. This emphasis on the community, on the essential role of the link between individual and his social environment rank him among so called communitarians, the critics of the predominant individualistic liberal way of thinking. In his more recent works, especially A Secular Age Taylor reflects on the phenomenon of secularization of the modern West. Here the notion, inspired partially by Wittgenstein, of “background” – an implicit framework for the beliefs of an agent – plays an important role. The following text will show more in detail the most important Wittgensteinian inspirations in the philosophical reflection of Charles Taylor considering modern western culture.
Frontverläufe in Wittgensteins Prototractatus
Authors: Pilch Martin
Published: April 2018

Wittgenstein’s finally published version of his Tractatus — his Logisch-Philosophische Abhandlung — covers material and thoughts from the years 1913 to 1922. What, deeply inspired by Frege’s works, started as collaboration with Russell in Cambridge soon developed into an independent and critical position.

Main parts of Wittgenstein’s early logical system were developed during his military service in First World War, so e. g. the formulations of his famous picture theory of proposition arise during his stay in Krakau and his service on the ship “Goplana” in autumn 1914. We partly can follow this development of Wittgenstein’s ideas by reading his war time notebooks. The most important document of this time is manuscript MS 104, which contains the so-called Prototractatus, which normally is seen as an early, but fairly complete version of the Tractatus. But in fact the manuscript contains much more interesting information about the actual formation of the Tractatus itself, when it is read as a kind of log book of the ongoing composition procedure. The actual order of the propositions differs considerably from the published order and enables us to follow the step by step integration of new propositions into the growing structure of the Tractatus.

The paper will give a chronological outline and an overview about the surviving pre-Tractarian sources and their setup, and it will argue for a reading of MS 104 allowing a detailed reconstruction of the textual composition as well as serving at the same time as a basis for an interpretation of the war time notebooks.
Revisiting the Philosophical Investigations’ Children
Authors: Lesnik-Oberstein Karin
Published: April 2018

In my 2003 article “The Philosophical Investigations’ Children” I offered a non-essentialist reading of the child in Wittgenstein’s work, arguing that such a reading challenged previous interpretations of the text by analysing an a priori reliance on a “real child” as part of a reliance on a “real world” somehow outside of textuality. I further argued that my anti-essentialist reading of the child is authorised by the Philosophical Investigations’ own arguments and positions and that interpretations of this text that maintain an investment in a materialist “real” (including the child as real or actual) fail fully to understand the nature of Wittgenstein’s interest in and definition of “language games” and an attendant engagement with issues of perspectives and their implications. In this article, I follow up on the current status of readings of the child in relation to Philosophical Investigations and the wider implications of those readings, including for ideas of the “pedagogy” of Philosophical Investigations itself, including demonstrating how both subsequent essentialist and non-essentialist readings of Philosophical Investigations continue to overlook implications of non-essentialist thinking about childhood.
Challenging Gender and Genre: Women in Contemporary Indian Crime Fiction in English
Authors: Meyer Neele
Published: April 2018

This paper looks at three Indian crime fiction series by women writers who employ different types of female detectives in contemporary India. The series will be discussed in the context of India’s economic growth and the emergence of a new middle class, which has an impact on India’s complex publishing market. I argue that the authors offer new identification figures while depicting a wide spectrum of female experiences within India’s contemporary urban middle class. In accordance with the characteristics of popular fiction, crime fiction offers the possibility to assume new roles within the familiar framework of a specific genre. Writers also partly modify the genre as a form of social criticism and use strategies such as the avoidance of closure. I conclude that the genre is of particular suitability for women in modern India as a testing-ground for new roles and a space that helps to depict and accommodate recent transformations that connect to processes of globalization.