bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of a Hybrid Thermoelectric Microcooler: Thomson Heat and Geometric Optimization
Authors: Ruiz Ortega Pablo , Olivares-Robles Miguel
Published: June 2017

In this work, we analyze the thermodynamics and geometric optimization of thermoelectric elements in a hybrid two-stage thermoelectric micro cooler (TEMC). We propose a novel procedure to improve the performance of the micro cooler based on optimum geometric parameters, cross sectional area (A) and length (L), of the semiconductor elements. Our analysis takes into account the Thomson effect to show its role on the performance of the system. We obtain dimensionless temperature spatial distributions, coefficient of performance ( C O P ) and cooling power ( Q c ) in terms of the electric current for different values of the geometric ratio ω = A / L . In our analysis we consider two cases: (a) the same materials in both stages (homogeneous system); and (b) different materials in each stage (hybrid system). We introduce the geometric parameter, W = ω 1 / ω 2 , to optimize the micro device considering the geometric parameters of both stages, w 1 and w 2 . Our results show the optimal configuration of materials that must be used in each stage. The Thomson effect leads to a slight improvement on the performance of the micro cooler. We determine the optimal electrical current to obtain the best performance of the TEMC. Geometric parameters have been optimized and results show that the hybrid system reaches a maximum cooling power 15.9 % greater than the one-stage system (with the same electric current I = 0.49 A), and 11% greater than a homogeneous system, when ω = 0.78 . The optimization of the ratio in the number of thermocouples in each stage shows that ( C O P ) and ( Q c ) increase as the number of thermocouples in the second stage increase too, but with W = 0.94 . We show that when two materials with different performances are placed in each stage, the optimal configuration of materials in the stages of the system must be determined to obtain a better performance of the hybrid two-stage TEMC system. These results are important because we offer a novel procedure to optimize a thermoelectric micro cooler considering the geometry of materials at a micro level.
Incipient Fault Feature Extraction for Rotating Machinery Based on Improved AR-Minimum Entropy Deconvolution Combined with Variational Mode Decomposition Approach
Authors: Li Qing , Ji Xia , Liang Steven Y.
Published: June 2017

Aiming at the issue of extracting the incipient single-fault and multi-fault of rotating machinery from the nonlinear and non-stationary vibration signals with a strong background noise, a new fault diagnosis method based on improved autoregressive-Minimum entropy deconvolution (improved AR-MED) and variational mode decomposition (VMD) is proposed. Due to the complexity of rotating machinery systems, the periodic transient impulses of single-fault and multiple-faults always emerge in the acquired vibration signals. The improved autoregressive minimum entropy deconvolution (AR-MED) technique can effectively deconvolve the influence of the background noise, which aims to enhance the peak value of the multiple transient impulses. Nevertheless, the envelope spectrum of simulation and experimental in this work shows that there are many interference components exist on both left and right of fault characteristic frequencies when the background noise is strong. To overcome this shortcoming, the VMD is thus applied to adaptively decompose the filtered output vibration signal into a number of quasi-orthogonal intrinsic modes so as to better detect the single- and multiple-faults via those sub-band signals. The experimental and engineering application results demonstrate that the proposed method dramatically sharpens the fault characteristic frequencies (FCFs) from the impacts of bearing outer race and gearbox faults compared to the traditional methods, which show a significant improvement in early incipient faults of rotating machinery.
CSL Collapse Model Mapped with the Spontaneous Radiation
Authors: Piscicchia Kristian , Bassi Angelo , Curceanu Catalina , Grande Raffaele , Donadi Sandro , Hiesmayr Beatrix , Pichler Andreas
Published: June 2017

In this paper, new upper limits on the parameters of the Continuous Spontaneous Localization (CSL) collapse model are extracted. To this end, the X-ray emission data collected by the IGEX collaboration are analyzed and compared with the spectrum of the spontaneous photon emission process predicted by collapse models. This study allows the obtainment of the most stringent limits within a relevant range of the CSL model parameters, with respect to any other method. The collapse rate λ and the correlation length r C are mapped, thus allowing the exclusion of a broad range of the parameter space.
Design and Development of a Real-Time Monitoring System for Multiple Lead–Acid Batteries Based on Internet of Things
Authors: Rauniyar Ashish , Irfan Mohammad , Saputra Oka , Kim Jin , Lee Ah , Jang Jae , Shin Soo
Published: June 2017

In this paper, real-time monitoring of multiple lead-acid batteries based on Internet of things is proposed and evaluated. Our proposed system monitors and stores parameters that provide an indication of the lead acid battery’s acid level, state of charge, voltage, current, and the remaining charge capacity in a real-time scenario. To monitor these lead–acid battery parameters, we have developed a data acquisition system by building an embedded system, i.e., dedicated hardware and software. The wireless local area network is used as the backbone network. The information collected from all the connected battery clients in the system is analyzed in an asynchronous transmission control protocol/user datagram protocol-based C♯ server program running on a personal computer (server) to determine important parameters like the state of charge of the individual battery, and if required, appropriate action can be taken in advance to prevent excessive impairment to the battery. Further, data are also displayed on an Android mobile device and are stored in an SQL server database. We have developed a real prototype to devise an end product for our proposed system.
Health-Promoting Nature Access for People with Mobility Impairments: A Systematic Review
Authors: Zhang Gaochao , Poulsen Dorthe , Lygum Victoria , Corazon Sus , Gramkow Marie , Stigsdotter Ulrika
Published: June 2017

This study systematically evaluated the scientific evidence for health benefits of natural environments for people with mobility impairments. Literature searches based on five categories of terms—target group, nature type, health-related impacts, nature-related activities and accessibility issues—were conducted in four databases (Web of Science, Scopus, CAB ABSTRACT and Medline). Twenty-seven articles from 4196 hits were included in the systematic reviews. We concluded that people with mobility disabilities could gain different health benefits, including physical health benefits, mental health benefits and social health benefits from nature in different kinds of nature contacts ranging from passive contact, active involvement to rehabilitative interventions. Several issues related to the accessibility and use of nature for people with mobility impairments need attention from professionals such as landscape architects, rehabilitative therapists, caregivers and policy makers. The overall quality of methodology of the included studies is not high based on assessment of the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Moreover, more randomized controlled trials and longitudinal studies that focus specifically on evidence-based health design of nature for people with mobility impairments in the future are needed.
Insight the Luminescence Properties of AlON: Eu, Mg Phosphor under VUV Excitation
Authors: Jian Xian , Wang Hui , Lee Ming-Hsien , Tian Wei , Chen Guo-Zhang , Chen Wen-Qiao , Ji Wei-Wei , Xu Xin , Yin Liang-Jun
Published: June 2017

Owing to high quantum efficiency, adjustable composition and antioxidation properties of oxynitride phosphors, extensive investigations have focused on their photoluminescence properties under low-energy light excitation (UV or blue light). However, the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) luminescence properties of oxynitride phosphors are rarely researched. Present work studies the structure and VUV luminescence properties of an oxynitride phosphor: AlON: Eu, Mg, which is synthesized by solid-state reaction. Under 147 nm excitation, it was found that AlON: Eu, Mg phosphor shows a blue emission band centered at about 470 nm. The first principle calculation is used to analyze the origin of the VUV absorption. Compared with BaMgAl10O17: Eu2+ phosphor, AlON: Eu, Mg phosphor shows better thermal stability.
Cumulative Effect of Strength Enhancer—Lanthanum and Ductility Enhancer—Cerium on Mechanical Response of Magnesium
Authors: Yang Wei , Tekumalla Sravya , Gupta Manoj
Published: June 2017

In the present work, the cumulative effect of strength enhancer Lanthanum (La) and ductility enhancer Cerium (Ce) on the mechanical response of pure Mg was investigated. A ternary Mg-4La-0.4Ce alloy was developed using a disintegrated melt deposition method followed by hot extrusion. The mechanical characterization revealed that the ternary alloy exhibited superior hardness and tensile and compressive strengths when compared to Mg and Mg-0.4Ce binary alloy, thereby validating the role of La as a strength enhancer. Furthermore, the ductility of the chosen alloy was also enhanced as compared to Mg and other La rich Mg alloys, indicating that the ductility enhancement is primarily due to Ce. The microstructural characterization revealed that the cumulative addition of La and Ce refined the grain size and led to the formation of a large volume of secondary phases which affected the mechanical properties. The effect of fine grains and the presence of secondary phases on the deformation behavior of the alloy were conclusively ascertained with the aid of deformation and fracture studies.
An All-Nanocrystal Biosensing System for In Vitro Detection of STAT3 Oligonucleotides
Authors: Kong Wei , Lam Chau , Wang Feng
Published: June 2017

Lanthanide-doped nanocrystals have shown great promise in bio-detection due to their outstanding luminescent properties, including large Stokes shift and sharp emission bands. Herein, we describe an in vitro detection of STAT3 by using an all-nanocrystal biosensing system that takes advantage of inter-particle energy transfer between two types of lanthanide-doped nanocrystals. We investigate the effect of nanocrystal size on the sensing performance and find that smaller nanocrystals offer a lower detection limit and larger dynamic range. As STAT3 is identified as an oncogene aberrantly activated and expressed in malignant transformation and tumorigenesis, our study thus holds promise for cancer diagnosis and therapy.
Data Aggregation Based on Overlapping Rate of Sensing Area in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Tang Xiaolan , Xie Hua , Chen Wenlong , Niu Jianwei , Wang Shuhang
Published: June 2017

Wireless sensor networks are required in smart applications to provide accurate control, where the high density of sensors brings in a large quantity of redundant data. In order to reduce the waste of limited network resources, data aggregation is utilized to avoid redundancy forwarding. However, most of aggregation schemes reduce information accuracy and prolong end-to-end delay when eliminating transmission overhead. In this paper, we propose a data aggregation scheme based on overlapping rate of sensing area, namely AggOR, aiming for energy-efficient data collection in wireless sensor networks with high information accuracy. According to aggregation rules, gathering nodes are selected from candidate parent nodes and appropriate neighbor nodes considering a preset threshold of overlapping rate of sensing area. Therefore, the collected data in a gathering area are highly correlated, and a large amount of redundant data could be cleaned. Meanwhile, AggOR keeps the original entropy by only deleting the duplicated data. Experiment results show that compared with others, AggOR has a high data accuracy and a short end-to-end delay with a similar network lifetime.
Hashtag Recovery: #Eating Disorder Recovery on Instagram
Authors: LaMarre Andrea , Rice Carla
Published: June 2017

People who have experienced eating disorders are making sense of and managing their own health and recoveries, in part by engaging with digital technologies. We analyzed 1056 images related to eating disorder recovery posted to Instagram using the hashtags #EDRecovery, #EatingDisorderRecovery, #AnorexiaRecovery, #BulimiaRecovery and #RecoveryWarrior to explore user performances of eating disorder recovery. We situated our analysis in a critical Deleuzian feminist frame, seeking to understand better how users represented, negotiated, or contested dominant constructions of “how to be recovered”. We identified a number of themes: A Feast for the Eyes, Bodies of Proof, Quotable, and (Im)Perfection. Within each of these themes, we observed links to social location, including the White, Western, middle-to-upper-class trappings that tether representations of eating disorder recovery to stereotypes about who gets eating disorders and may restrict access to the category of recovered. Documenting recovery online may be a way for those in recovery to chart progress and interact with similar others. However, recoveries presented on Instagram resemble stereotypical perspectives on who gets eating disorders and, thus, who might recover, subtly reinforcing a dominant recovery biopedagogy. These versions of recovery may not be available to all, limiting the possibility of engagement for people enacting and embodying diverse recoveries. Still, users make representational interventions into Instagram by making the struggles and challenges of eating disorder recovery visible to each other and to broader audiences.
Exploiting the Formation of Maximal Cliques in Social Networks
Authors: Hao Fei , Park Doo-Soon , Pei Zheng
Published: June 2017

In social networking analysis, there exists a fundamental problem called maximal cliques enumeration(MCE), which has been extensively investigated in many fields, including social networks, biological science, etc. As a matter of fact, the formation principle of maximal cliques that can help us to speed up the detection of maximal cliques from social networks is often ignored by most existing research works. Aiming to exploit the formation of maximal cliques in social networks, this paper pioneers a creative research issue on the detection of bases of maximal cliques in social networks. We propose a formal concept analysis-based approach for detecting the bases of maximal cliques and detection theorem. It is believed that our work can provide a new research solution and direction for future topological structure analysis in various complex networking systems.
SYNERGISTIC USE OF PEAT AND CHARRED MATERIAL IN GROWING MEDIA – AN OPTION TO REDUCE THE PRESSURE ON PEATLANDS?
Authors: KERN Jürgen , TAMMEORG Priit , SHANSKIY Merrit , SAKRABANI Ruben , KNICKER Heike , KAMMANN Claudia , TUHKANEN Eeva-Maria , SMIDT Geerd , PRASAD Munoo , TIILIKKALA Kari , SOHI Saran , GASCÓ Gabriel , STEINER Christoph , GLASER Bruno
Published: June 2017

Peat is used as a high quality substrate for growing media in horticulture. However, unsustainable peat extraction damages peatland ecosystems, which disappeared to a large extent in Central and South Europe. Furthermore, disturbed peatlands are becoming a source of greenhouse gases due to drainage and excavation. This study is the result of a workshop within the EU COST Action TD1107 (Biochar as option for sustainable resource management), held in Tartu (Estonia) in 2015. The view of stakeholders were consulted on new biochar-based growing media and to what extent peat may be replaced in growing media by new compounds like carbonaceous materials from thermochemical conversion. First positive results from laboratory and greenhouse experiments have been reported with biochar content in growing media ranging up to 50%. Various companies have already started to use biochar as an additive in their growing media formulations. Biochar might play a more important role in replacing peat in growing media, when biochar is available, meets the quality requirements, and their use is economically feasible.
THE EFFECT OF BIOCHAR ON PLANT DISEASES: WHAT SHOULD WE LEARN WHILE DESIGNING BIOCHAR SUBSTRATES?
Authors: FRENKEL Omer , JAISWAL Amit K. , ELAD Yigal , LEW Beni , GRABER Ellen R.
Published: June 2017

The increasing demand for soilless substrates and rising environmental concerns about the use of non-renewable resources such as peat has led to the search for alternative constituents of growing mixtures for containerized plants. In this report we reviewed the works concerning biochar as constituent of growing media, targeting its influence on plant growth and plant disease. Biochar mostly has positive or neutral influences on plant growth compared with peat media when present in concentrations higher than 25% (v:v). However, studies of biochar influence on plant disease reveals that while lower concentrations (≤1%) of biochar often suppressed several diseases, higher concentrations (≥3%) were mostly ineffective or induced plant disease. For use as horticultural peat replacement, it is recommended that biochar feedstocks and concentrations be standardized and the potential effect of biochar on plant disease be considered, so that growers can rely on consistent and reproducible biochars for desired effects.
A RECONNAISSANCE-SCALE GIS-BASED MULTICRITERIA DECISION ANALYSIS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE BIOCHAR USE: POLAND AS A CASE STUDY
Authors: E LATAWIEC Agnieszka , PEAKE Lewis , BAXTER Helen , CORNELISSEN Gerard , GROTKIEWICZ Katarzyna , HALE Sarah , B KRÓLCZYK Jolanta , KUBON Maciej , ŁOPATKA Artur , MEDYNSKA-JURASZEK Agnieszka , J REID Brian , SIEBIELEC Grzegorz , P SOHI Saran , SPIAK Zofia , BN STRASSBURG Bernardo
Published: June 2017

Although increasing numbers of research papers regarding biochar are being published worldwide, in some countries growing interest in biochar has only recently been observed; this is true of Poland. We analysed information on biochar research in Poland alongside lessons learned elsewhere in order to identify the significant opportunities and risks associated with biochar use. This data fed into a GIS-based multicriteria analysis to identify areas where biochar application could deliver greatest benefit. We found that 21.8% of agricultural land in Poland has at least moderate indication for biochar use (soil organic matter below 2% and ph below 5.5), while 1.5% was categorized as a priority as it also exhibited contamination. Potential barriers identified included biomass availability and associated risks of indirect land-use change due to possible national and transnational biomass production displacement. Biochar use could have positive global consequences as a climate change mitigation strategy, particularly relevant in a country with limited alternatives. Scaling up a mitigation technology that is viable on account of its co-benefits might be cost-effective, which could, in turn, adjust national perspectives and stronger involvement in developing mitigation policies at the regional level. Biochar has much promise in temperate conditions and further research should therefore be assigned to explore biochar’s environmental and socio-economic impacts.
Ravitailler le corps expéditionnaire américain. Les enjeux des approvisionnements des American expeditionary forces en France de 1917 À 1919
Authors: Péhaut Gérard
Published: June 2017

Le 6 avril 1917, les États-Unis déclarent la guerre à l’Allemagne. Pour les pays de l’Entente, qui sont fatigués par presque trois ans de combats, ce renfort est une très bonne nouvelle. Il s’agit néanmoins d’un extraordinaire défi matériel et logistique : en 1917, l’armée américaine est toute petite et ses futures zones de combat sont à plus de 5 000 km. Il faut donc organiser, le plus vite possible, une armée de plusieurs millions d’hommes et mettre en place la logistique nécessaire à son ravitaillement. Il faudra, pour cela, s’adapter aux conditions d’un pays déjà en guerre, s’y installer et fixer les modalités de coopérations avec les Français et les Britanniques. Notre article montre comment un tel défi fut relevé par les SOS ( Services of Supply ) de l’ American Expeditionary Force du général Pershing.
Factors Influencing Orthopedic Surgery Residents' Choice of Subspecialty Fellowship
Authors: Kavolus Joseph J. , Matson Andrew P. , Byrd William A. , Brigman Brian E.
Published: June 2017

In the setting of increasing student debt, a rapidly changing health care system, and growing transparency in the age of outcome reporting, residents have many factors to consider when determining which fellowship to pursue. An institutional review board–approved link to an online survey was emailed to orthopedic surgery trainees across the United States. Demographics were collected, and 14 fellowship influences were assessed using a Likert scale. A total of 360 responses were received. Of the respondents, 85.5% (n=308) were male and 14.5% (n=52) were female. Responses were received from every region of the United States and from every postgraduate year. Respondents represented the gamut of relationship status and indebtedness. Respondents were interested in all of the current major subspecialties. Pursuit of an intellectually stimulating subspecialty had the highest average Likert score (3.38), followed by variety of cases (3.26). The lowest scores were for residency program with a strong tradition of placing into a particular subspecialty (2.08) and potential to conduct research in that subspecialty (2.09). Marital status, number of children, and level of debt did not significantly affect the importance of factors in selecting a fellowship. Choice of subspecialty did influence the level of importance of various factors. Intellectual stimulation and a strong mentor were the most influential factors in the decision to pursue a given fellowship. Because fellowship is now the norm, it is important to understand the motives behind young orthopedic surgeons' career aspirations. [
Orthopedics.
2017; 40(5):e820–e824.]
Influence of Intimate Partner Violence and Depression on Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Literature Review
Authors: Garner Andrea K. , Sheridan Daniel J.
Published: June 2017

Background:

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and dating violence is a significant problem among college-age students. IPV has an associative outcome of depression and lower academic performance, but it is unknown how it relates to undergraduate nursing students.

Method:

Two literature searches were performed for IPV and depression from a combination of 87 databases including EBSCO, Proquest, Nursing at OVID, Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, PsycARTICLES, JSTOR, SAGE journals, and Google Scholar.

Results:

Initial results yielded 24,675 research studies on IPV, dating violence, and depression. Forty-eight level-three studies were identified using the John Hopkins School of Nursing evidence-based practice model, including 42 nonexperimental studies, three meta-syntheses, and three governmental studies.

Conclusion:

Relevant data on the prevalence rates of IPV and depression among nursing students are lacking. IPV and dating violence among college students places them at a higher risk for failure and poor academic performance. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(7):397–403.]
Nursing Students' Perceived Faculty Support, Stress, and Substance Misuse
Authors: Boulton Martha , O'Connell Kathleen A.
Published: June 2017

Background:

Nursing school can be an extremely stressful experience. Many nurses with substance misuse issues developed the problem when they were students. The authors, guided by Peplau's interpersonal theory in nursing, examined whether stress and perceived faculty support were related to substance misuse.

Method:

A quantitative, cross-sectional, correlational design was used. Data were collected from members of the National Student Nurses Association using an Internet questionnaire.

Results:

Students with higher stress scores had a higher incidence of substance use. Most students who had higher perceptions of faculty support tended to use fewer nonprescribed stimulants for academic enhancement.

Conclusion:

Nursing students reported a moderate level of stress and used non-prescribed prescription drugs more frequently as the stress scores increased. Perceived faculty support was inversely related to the use of nonprescribed stimulants and does not appear to moderate the effects of stress on substance misuse. [
J Nurs Educ.
2017;56(7):404–411.]
Team-Based Learning in a Community Health Nursing Course: Improving Academic Outcomes
Authors: Miles Jane M. , Larson Kim L. , Swanson Melvin
Published: June 2017

Background:

Population health concepts, such as upstream thinking, present challenging ideas to undergraduate nursing students grounded in an acute care orientation. The purpose of this study was to describe how team-based learning (TBL) influenced academic outcomes in a community health nursing course.

Method:

A descriptive correlational design examined the relationship among student scores on individual readiness assurance tests (iRATs), team readiness assurance tests (tRATs), and the final examination. The sample included 221 nursing students who had completed the course.

Results:

A large positive correlation was found between iRAT and final examination scores. For all students, the mean tRAT score was higher than the mean iRAT score. A moderate positive correlation existed between tRAT and final examination scores.

Conclusion:

The study contributes to understanding the effects of TBL pedagogy on student academic outcomes in nursing education. TBL is a valuable teaching method in a course requiring the application of challenging concepts. [
J Nurs Educ.
2017;56(7):425–429.]
La démocratisation, les manipulations des moyens de communication au Mexique et le mouvement « Yo soy 132 »
Authors: Lopez Lidia Yolanda
Published: June 2017

Résumé : Pour assurer la démocratie, le Mexique a besoin d’établir une concurrence effective dans le secteur des télécommunications, et de réformer les procédures administratives en vigueur pour l’octroi de concessions pour la radio et la télévision, afin de garantir la liberté d’expression, et de créer des médias comme outils préservant l’intérêt social de la manipulation médiatique. Le mouvement « Yo soy 132 » (« Je suis le 132 ») a manifesté notamment pour démocratiser les médias, et s’est appuyé sur les réseaux sociaux via Internet avec une volonté politique.
Subsized Specimens for Fracture Resistance Characterisation Including Transferability Issues
Authors: Dlouhý Ivo , Stratil Luděk , Šiška Filip
Published: June 2017

The contribution is focused on characterization of methods enabling to apply small/subsized specimens for fracture resistance characterization. The applied methods are divided into transition region and upper shelf region. The approaches used in the upper shelf region represent at the same time methods applicable for ductile materials without transition. Relating to subsized samples two basic approaches are applicable: (i) miniaturized samples based on common standard ones and (ii) specific specimens/methods, e.g. small punch test etc. The results described in the paper belong to the first group. For interpretation of data generated under low constraint conditions toughness scaling models and master curve approached are commented. In ductile region, either the sample used generate valid toughness characteristics, or, if not, there is no way how to correct measured data except damage quantification through micromechanical models.
Development of Evaluation Method that Takes into Account the Effect of the Fine Structure of Adhesive Interface for Delamination Strength of the Packaging Resin
Authors: Furuyama Yukichi , Honda Okihisa , Yu Qiang
Published: June 2017

This paper describes a new evaluation method of resin delamination strength at the adhesive interface. Power module consists of different materials. Difference of thermal expansion between the dissimilar materials causes the delamination at their interface. The new pudding-cup test method has been used to evaluate the delamination stress, where singular stress or stress intensity factors are used to evaluate the delamination strength. But it is difficult to consider the effect of micro interface structure or bonded compound. In this study, an interface structure was considered to analyze the delamination deformation at the resin interface to develop a new approach to evaluate the delamination behavior. However, it was difficult to recreate the details in the analytical model. In this study, a method to simplify the interface structure as a simple interface layer was proposed. Deformation value of the interface structure is evaluated in this study. As a result, it was confirmed that the analytical method to simplify the interface structure can be used to simulate the delamination behavior. Deformation absolute value in the delamination points was confirmed to agree with various load points in same material. These results suggested the deformation of the interface layer can be used as a simple parameter to estimate the delamination of a resin structure boundary.
Influence of Chloride for SCC Susceptibility on 15Cr Stainless Steel at High Temperatures under CO2 Environment
Authors: Sunaba Toshiyuki , Hirano Susumu , Ishihara Tadao
Published: June 2017

The effects of chloride ion concentration on SCC susceptibility of 15Cr and 13Cr martensitic stainless steels were investigated at 180°C by SSRT. Transgranular SCC occurred in the environment containing CO2 and chloride ion. The increasing chloride ion concentration was significantly affected SCC susceptibility of 15Cr SS. In addition, the contribution of hydrogen to SCC was examined at high temperature by SSRT with electrochemically polarization. The cathodically charged specimens showed hydrogen embrittlement. The fracture surface was similar to that of high temperature SCC. On the other hand, the SCC was accelerated by anodic polarization and not by cathodic polarization. The SCC behavior of martensitic stainless steel at high temperature is affect by evolved hydrogen atom. It is concluded that hydrogen plays a key role in the crack propagation.
Deficiency of Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase δ Signaling Leads to Diminished Numbers of Regulatory T Cells and Increased Neutrophil Activity Resulting in Mortality Due to Endotoxic Shock
Authors: Okeke Emeka B. , Mou Zhirong , Onyilagha Nonso , Jia Ping , Gounni Abdelilah S. , Uzonna Jude E.
Published: June 2017

Despite decades of clinical and biomedical research, the pathogenesis of sepsis and its spectrum of diseases (severe sepsis and septic shock), which are leading causes of death in intensive care units, are still poorly understood. In this article, we show that signaling via the p110δ isoform of PI3K is critical for survival in experimental sepsis. Mice with an inactive knock-in mutation in the p110δ gene (p110δD910A) succumbed acutely to nonlethal dose LPS challenge. The susceptibility of p110δD910A mice to LPS was associated with increased neutrophil numbers and activities in the tissues, due in part to delayed apoptosis resulting mostly from inherent reduced regulatory T cell (Treg) numbers. Adoptive transfer of wild-type or p110δD910A Tregs abrogated exaggerated neutrophil activity, increased neutrophil apoptosis, and rescued p110δD910A mice from mortality after LPS challenge. We confirmed the clinical relevance of these findings by showing that human Tregs also regulate neutrophil function and survival. Collectively, our results show that PI3K δ is essential for survival during sepsis. In addition, our data highlight the importance of Tregs in regulating the pathogenesis of sepsis and septic shock via their effects on neutrophil survival and function, and provide evidence of regulation of innate immunity by cells of the adaptive immune system.
Injury Surveillance of Head, Neck, and Facial Injuries in Collegiate Ice Hockey Players, 2009–2010 Through 2013–2014 Academic Years
Authors: Simmons Molly MacMhathan , Swedler David I. , Kerr Zachary Y.
Published: June 2017

Context: 

Ice hockey is a high-speed, full-contact sport with a high risk of head/face/neck (HFN) injuries. However, men's and women's ice hockey differ; checking is allowed only among men.

Objectives: 

To describe the epidemiology of HFN injuries in collegiate men's and women's ice hockey during the 2009−2010 through 2013−2014 academic years.

Design: 

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Setting: 

Ice hockey data from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance Program during the 2009−2010 through 2013−2014 academic years.

Patients or Other Participants: 

Fifty-seven men's and 26 women's collegiate ice hockey programs from all NCAA divisions provided 106 and 51 team-seasons of data, respectively.

Main Outcome Measure(s): 

Injury rates per 1000 athlete-exposures and rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results: 

The NCAA Injury Surveillance Program reported 496 and 131 HFN injuries in men's and women's ice hockey, respectively. The HFN injury rate was higher in men than in women (1.75 versus 1.16/1000 athlete-exposures; incidence rate ratio = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.25, 1.84). The proportion of HFN injuries from checking was higher in men than in women for competitions (38.5% versus 13.6%; injury proportion ratio = 2.82; 95% CI = 1.64, 4.85) and practices (21.9% versus 2.3%; injury proportion ratio = 9.41; 95% CI = 1.31, 67.69). The most common HFN injury diagnosis was concussion; most concussions occurred in men's competitions from player contact while checking (25.9%). Player contact during general play comprised the largest proportion of concussions in men's practices (25.9%), women's competitions (25.0%), and women's practices (24.0%). While 166 lacerations were reported in men, none were reported in women. In men, most lacerations occurred from player contact during checking in competitions (41.8%) and player contact during general play in practices (15.0%).

Conclusions: 

A larger proportion of HFN injuries in ice hockey occurred during checking in men versus women. Concussion was the most common HFN injury and was most often due to player contact. Lacerations were reported only among men and were mostly due to checking. Injury-prevention programs should aim to reduce checking-related injuries.
Bank employees’ engagement in corporate social responsibility initiatives at a South African retail bank
Authors: Penn Vincent C. , Thomas Peta H.
Published: June 2017

Orientation: Many firms encourage employees to undertake corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. With any project, it is important that firm resources are committed to create valued outcomes for stakeholders.Research purpose: The study purpose was to gain insight into criteria that can practically help define the success of employee run CSR projects.Motivation for the study: CSR activities are reported in literature as creating valuable intangible and tangible assets for firms when planned as strategies to improve brand reputation, customer loyalty and future profit. This research reviews a South African retail bank that promotes CSR undertakings to employees exploring the bank’s support for employees engaged in CSR.Research design, approach and method: Two of the bank’s completed community CSR projects were identified by the bank’s senior CSR managers for this review. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with employees, bank CSR managers and project recipients. Participant interviews were transcribed into text then analysed to identify where stakeholder value diminished on these projects.Main findings: The study found that this bank’s CSR processes do not fully support the employees, detrimentally affecting the ability of the employees to optimise project outcomes.Practical or managerial implication: Because employee CSR efforts are often aligned with a firm’s value creation strategies, optimising the project management of employee CSR activities can improve the value of the outcomes achieved.Contribution or value add: Determining specific conditions that influence successful project management of employee CSR projects can help to improve the potential of CSR projects in co-creating optimised value for stakeholders.
Interplay between air passengers’ service quality, satisfaction, loyalty and loyalty programmes in South African owned airlines
Authors: Mantey Nicholas O. , Naidoo Vaanie
Published: June 2017

Orientation: Delivering service quality is crucial for the continuous operation and sustainability of South African owned airlines. The term ‘South African owned airlines’ refers to six South African owned registered airlines, and is used for purpose of anonymity and confidentiality.Research purpose: The main aim of this study was to examine the interplay between service quality delivery, satisfaction, loyalty programmes and passengers’ loyalty to South African owned airlines.Motivation for the study: Intended to provide insight into quality to society of airline services, the global airline industry in general and the airline industry in South Africa in particular.Research approach, design and method: A quantitative research approach was adopted, using a cross-sectional (sample survey) method. Empirical data was directly collected by the researchers from 684 passengers at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg and King Shaka International Airport in Durban using a non-probability random sampling technique.Main findings: The study’s main findings were that: (1) generally, passengers of South African owned airlines were satisfied with the airlines’ service quality and rated such satisfaction as moderate to high. (2) Only 22% of passengers were part of a loyalty programme. However, in the South African context, loyalty programme membership is not indicative of passengers’ loyalty to airlines: 86% of the respondents stated that they are consistently loyal to the airlines (3). There was no association between passengers’ loyalty and frequency of travel. (4) South African passengers have limited choice of airlines; therefore, loyalty and patronage does not lean towards a particular airline.Practical implications: By offering superior service quality to passengers, South African owned airlines could gain competitive advantage ongoing patronage and loyalty, thus increasing overall profitability.Contributions: This study provides cognitive information, which management could use to design new marketing strategies to enhance loyalty in the airlines in South Africa and globally.
О задаче Дирихле-Рикье для бигармонического уравнения
Authors: Karachik Valeriy Valentinovich , Torebek Berikbol
Published: June 2017

Исследуется существование решения задачи Дирихле-Рикье
для однородного бигармонического уравнения в единичном шаре
с граничными операторами до третьего порядка включительно,
содержащие нормальные производные и лапласиан.
Доказаны теоремы существования решения задачи.
Библиография: 30 названий.
Students’ Musical Creativity and the Role of Teachers - a Study of Compositions Written for the Music Olympiad
Authors: Rotar Pance Branka , Igličar Ema
Published: June 2017

Creativity is the focus of research in various areas. The present paper focuses on creativity in music and the role of the teacher in stimulating and developing it in an individual’s musical development. It highlights the importance of evaluating musical ideas, the creative process and final products. The Music Olympiad involves a presentation of competitor’s own compositions. In the research, we analysed the characteristics of the compositions written for and performed at the first three Slovene Music Olympiads.
Music as a protocol element
Authors: Kušej Nina Gala
Published: June 2017

“Protocol” by definition means a set of formal and social rules of interaction between official state representatives. “Protocol music” is consequently a musical means of achieving these rules.
Demetrij Žebrè in sodobne slogovne tendence slovenske glasbe
Authors: Salmič Kovačič Karmen
Published: June 2017

Ob poglobljenem pregledu slogovnih tendenc glasbe v prvi polovici preteklega stoletja in z njo povezane strokovne terminologije predstavljamo v prvem delu disertacije tudi najsodobnejše pomisleke različnih glasbenih teoretikov in muzikologov o dosedanjem razumevanju glasbenega modernizma, neoklasicizma ter tradicije v glasbi 20. stoletja.
Resiliencia en adolescentes expuestos a condiciones vitales de riesgo
Authors: Corchado Castillo Ana Isabel , Díaz-Aguado Jalón María José , Martinez Arias Rosario
Published: June 2017

Antecedentes: La resiliencia se ha convertido en un tema central en el estudio y en la intervención con adolescentes. Las investigaciones realizadas sobre dicho tema encuentran grandes diferencias en su capacidad de afrontar el estrés y la adversidad. El objetivo de esta investigación es examinar si los adolescentes que han vivido circunstancias acumuladas de riesgo y adversidad, pueden tener resultados resilientes cuando participan en programas de intervención psicosocioeducativa. Objetivo de gran relevancia para el Trabajo Social, al permitirle identificar fuentes de resiliencia que pueden y deben ser fomentadas en la intervención con adolescentes que han estado expuestos a condiciones vitales de riesgo. Método: Se utilizó un diseño no experimental con grupos seleccionados. Los participantes fueron 507 adolescentes pertenecientes a cuatro grupos con diferentes niveles de riesgo: protección social (n=189); cumplimento de medidas judiciales (n=104); tratamiento por abuso de drogas (n=25) y grupo de comparación (n=189). Se aplicó, de forma colectiva, una versión reducida de la Escala de Resiliencia (Wagnild & Young, 1993), considerado el instrumento más adecuado para el estudio de la resiliencia en la población adolescente debido a sus propiedades psicométricas. Las variables medidas fueron: variables sociodemográficas y resiliencia. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en resiliencia entre el grupo de adolescentes en tratamiento por consumo de drogas con el resto de los grupos. Los adolescentes en protección y los infractores mostraban puntuaciones similares a las del grupo de comparación. Conclusiones: En la dirección de las hipótesis planteadas, los resultados reflejan que la resiliencia es un proceso que puede ser favorecido a través de ciertas estrategias de aprendizaje derivadas de la experiencia o en con la participación en programas psicosocioeducativos.
El Trabajo Social en Inglaterra: ¿el principio y fin de una profesión para la justicia social?
Authors: Martínez Herrero María Inés
Published: June 2017

Este artículo ofrece una discusión sobre el trabajo social en Inglaterra, país que se encuentra a la vanguardia del neoliberalismo, tanto a nivel de la estructura económica nacional como de la incorporación de nociones y prácticas neoliberales en el Trabajo Social. Para ello, se analizan en primer lugar los conceptos de “neoliberalismo” e “ideología neoliberal” y se explica a continuación en qué consiste y cómo se ha desarrollado en Inglaterra el “trabajo social neoliberal”. Por último, el artículo ofrece una breve discusión sobre algunas de las iniciativas y propuestas para la resistencia al neoliberalismo que se están desarrollando en el país y algunas conclusiones sobre la temática, destacando la importancia de tratar de evitar en otros países algunas de las circunstancias han llevado al trabajo social en Inglaterra a convertirse, en gran medida, en una profesión de control social al servicio de los intereses de los gobiernos “neoliberales” que se han sucedido desde los años 80 en este país.   This paper offers a discussion about social work in England, which is at the forefront of neoliberalism, both at the level of the national economic structure and regarding the incorporation of neoliberal notions into the social work profession. To this end, it firstly analyses the concepts of “neoliberalism” and “neoliberal ideology”.  It explains next what “neoliberal social work” involves and how this has been developed in England. Finally, the article offers a brief discussion on some of the initiatives and proposals for resistance to neoliberalism being developed in the country and it offers some conclusions on the subject, highlighting the importance of trying to avoid in other countries some of the circumstances which have led social work in England to become, to a large extent, a profession for social control at the service of the interests of “neoliberal” governments of the country since the 1980s.
António Almodovar e a institucionalização da economia política em Portugal
Authors: Luís Cardoso José
Published: June 2017

Es un deber de todos sus amigos recordar el ejemplo y el valor del legado que nos dejó António Almodovar y que las generaciones futuras de historiadores del pensamiento económico sin duda sabrán reconocer.
Exclusión, profundización democrática e interseccionalidad
Authors: Martínez-Palacios Jone
Published: June 2017

Este artículo propone una nueva agenda de investigación para el área de los estudios de la democracia centrada en la democratización inclusiva desde un enfoque interseccional. En el marco de la epistemología del punto de vista, el texto explica el interés estratégico de comenzar a trabajar esa agenda a partir del estudio de la posición social del agente técnico de la participación. Con la consolidación de los mercados nacionales e internacionales de la participación, las prácticas de las “boutiques de la democracia” (consultorías o laboratorios de investigación) que regentan estos agentes expertos son susceptibles de generar dominación y exclusión. Para estudiar tanto las formas que adopta esta exclusión, cuanto las posibilidades de revertirla, se propone un enfoque de análisis basado en el diálogo de las aportaciones teóricas entre el estructuralismo constructivista y la teoría de la interseccionalidad.
The Difference That Power Makes: Intersectionality and Participatory Democracy
Authors: Hill Collins Patricia
Published: June 2017

This essay explores how developing more complex analyses of power and politics sheds light on important themes for both intersectionality and participatory democracy. Drawn from intersectional inquiry, Part I, “Hidden in Plain Sight: Hypervisible Power and Invisible Politics,” outlines three focal points of a provisional power analytic: (1) how analyses of intersecting, structural oppressions underpin systems of domination; (2) how a domains-of-power framework provides a set of conceptual tools for analyzing and responding to intersecting power relations; and (3) how a more robust analysis of the collective illuminates the political action of subordinated groups.
Los estudios sociales de la ciencia y la tecnología: ¿son parte de las ciencias sociales?
Authors: Kreimer Pablo
Published: June 2017

La relación entre las ciencias sociales y los estudios sociales de la ciencia y la tecnología (CTS) dista de ser simple. Mientras que para algunos aún es un objeto de disputa la inclusión de los estudios CTS dentro de la amplia avenida de las ciencias sociales, otros han intentado interesar, seducir o discutir con los colegas de otras disciplinas del campo, para tender puentes entre ambos espacios disciplinarios. No obstante, hasta hoy la mayor parte de los académicos de las ciencias sociales conocen muy poco el desarrollo de los estudios CTS. Intento en este artículo hacer una estado de la cuestión acerca de estas relaciones, preguntándome por qué la sociología presta poca atención en sus explicaciones a los aportes de la sociología de la ciencia, la historia respecto de la historia de la ciencia, y lo mismo respecto de la antropología, las ciencias políticas o la comunicación. Hacia el final avanzo algunas hipótesis que no pretenden explicar estas tensiones en forma acabada pero que puedan ofrecer, al menos, algunas pistas para su lectura.