bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A unified linear theory of rotating hydromagnetic flow between two parallel infinite plates subject to imposition of axial velocity
Authors: Badeti Satyanarayana , Vempaty Somaraju , Suripeddi Srinivas
Published: May 2018

Uniformly valid solutions for a linear, steady, axisymmetric, hydromagnetic flow confined between two electrically insulated, infinite, differentially rotating plates subject to constant axial velocity of fluid through injection at bottom plate and an equal suction at the top plate are presented. The applied magnetic field is in the direction of the rotation vector . The dynamics change depending on the parameter ranges defined by the three nondimensional parameters, the Ekman number, the Elsasser number and the injection Rossby number. There are broadly four parameter ranges and the transition from one dynamics to the other is explained by a critical study of the flow in the hitherto unexplored transition parameter range . It is found that the dynamics of the flow change even for in the presence of the imposed axial velocity. The viscous Ekman‐Hartmann layer at the bottom boundary blown up by the injection of the fluid and it transforms into a new inviscid resistive boundary layer of thickness . The suction layer at the top boundary characterized by a force balance between viscous and inertial forces has a thickness . In the interior, the meridional circulations of mass flux as well as electric current flux have dependent structure for . For , the electric current circulation loses its dependent structure while the mass flux circulation continues to retain its dependent structure until . The interior spins up to the azimuthal velocity on the bottom plate in a time which happens to be less than the hydrodynamic and hydromagnetic spin‐up time.
Cultural competence and curricular design: learning the hard way
Authors: Kate Worden Mary , Tiouririne Nassima Ait-Daoud
Published: May 2018

None
The nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a potential
Authors: Germain Pierre , Pusateri Fabio , Rousset Frédéric
Published: May 2018

We consider the cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a potential in one space dimension. Under the assumptions that the potential is generic, sufficiently localized, with no bound states, we obtain the long-time asymptotic behavior of small solutions. In particular, we prove that, as time goes to infinity, solutions exhibit nonlinear phase corrections that depend on the scattering matrix associated to the potential. The proof of our result is based on the use of the distorted Fourier transform – the so-called Weyl–Kodaira–Titchmarsh theory – a precise understanding of the “nonlinear spectral measure” associated to the equation, and nonlinear stationary phase arguments and multilinear estimates in this distorted setting.
Health Care Providers in War and Armed Conflict: Operational and Educational Challenges in International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Conventions, Part II. Educational and Training Initiatives
Authors: Burkle Frederick M. , Kushner Adam L. , Giannou Christos , Paterson Mary A. , Wren Sherry M. , Burnham Gilbert
Published: May 2018

No discipline has been impacted more by war and armed conflict than health care has. Health systems and health care providers are often the first victims, suffering increasingly heinous acts that cripple the essential health delivery and public health infrastructure necessary for the protection of civilian and military victims of the state at war. This commentary argues that current instructional opportunities to prepare health care providers fall short in both content and preparation, especially in those operational skill sets necessary to manage multiple challenges, threats, and violations under international humanitarian law and to perform triage management in a resource-poor medical setting. Utilizing a historical framework, the commentary addresses the transformation of the education and training of humanitarian health professionals from the Cold War to today followed by recommendations for the future. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:383-396)
Relocating anti-racist science: the 1950 UNESCO Statement on Race and economic development in the global South
Authors: GIL-RIAÑO SEBASTIÁN
Published: May 2018

This essay revisits the drafting of the first UNESCO Statement on Race (1950) in order to reorient historical understandings of mid-twentieth-century anti-racism and science. Historians of science have primarily interpreted the UNESCO statements as an oppositional project led by anti-racist scientists from the North Atlantic and concerned with dismantling racial typologies, replacing them with population-based conceptions of human variation. Instead of focusing on what anti-racist scientists opposed, this article highlights the futures they imagined and the applied social-science projects that anti-racist science drew from and facilitated. The scientific experts who participated in drafting the first UNESCO Statement on Race played important roles in late colonial, post-colonial and international projects designed to modernize, assimilate and improve so-called backward communities – typically indigenous or Afro-descendent groups in the global South. Such connections between anti-racist science and the developmental imaginaries of the late colonial period indicate that the transition from fixed racial typologies to sociocultural and psychological conceptualizations of human diversity legitimated the flourishing of modernization discourses in the Cold War era. In this transition to an economic-development paradigm, ‘race’ did not vanish so much as fragment into a series of finely tuned and ostensibly anti-racist conceptions that offered a moral incentive for scientific elites to intervene in the ways of life of those deemed primitive.
INCREASED CARBON LOSS VIA ROOT RESPIRATION AND IMPAIRED ROOT MORPHOLOGY UNDER FREE-AIR OZONE ENRICHMENT ADVERSELY AFFECT RICE (ORYZA SATIVA L.) PRODUCTION
Authors: KOU T. J. , LAI L. K. , LAM S. K. , CHEN D. , HE J.
Published: May 2018

The increasing tropospheric ozone concentration [O3] strongly affects plant growth. However, the response of belowground processes in rice (Oryza sativa L.) systems to higher O3 is not well understood. The grain production, belowground biomass partitioning, root morphology and activity of rice (cv. Shanyou 63) were investigated in a free-air O3 enrichment platform at four key growth stages. Elevated O3 (EO3, 50% above the ambient O3) significantly decreased the grain yield and total biomass at the grain milky mature stage, root biomass at the tillering stage and root to shoot ratios (RRS) at the flowering and grain filling stages. The effects of EO3 on root morphology and activity varied among rice growth stage. EO3 significantly decreased root length, density, area, diameter and volume at the flowering stage, but EO3 significantly decreased various root morphological indices at the tillering, grain filling and milky mature stages. EO3 significantly increased the specific root respiration rate (root activity) and root respiration rate (autotrophic respiration) at grain filling and milky mature stages. Higher root autotrophic respiration and lower RRS in response to EO3 would reduce allocation of assimilated carbon to root growth, adversely affecting rice productivity. Our findings are critical for understanding the O3-induced impairment of belowground processes and carbon cycling in rice cropping systems and breeding of O3-tolerant cultivars under higher [O3] scenarios.
The Spotlight's Harsh Glare: Rethinking Publicity and International Order
Authors: Carnegie Allison , Carson Austin
Published: May 2018

How does publicizing states' illicit activities affect the stability of international order? What does this relationship tell us about how governments react to violations of international rules? In contrast to the conventional wisdom that transparent monitoring strengthens the normative legal order, we argue that these activities often undermine it. We develop two mechanisms through which this occurs: by raising the known rate of noncompliance, and by sharpening the threat that deviance poses to other states. We argue that when enforcers understand the dangers of publicizing transgressions, they do so selectively. Focusing on the nuclear nonproliferation domain, we demonstrate that these concerns shaped American decisions to reveal or obfuscate other states' efforts to obtain nuclear weapons. We formalize this argument and then empirically test the model's predictions using in-depth case study analyses. We find that the US failed to disclose infractions when this publicity would have undermined the rules through the two mechanisms we identify. However, while concealing violations can prevent proliferation in response to specific nuclear programs, it can also create potential dangers to a regime's overall health and stability. In addition to reassessing a widely shared assumption about the value of transparent monitoring, this article's broad theoretical framework can shed light on enforcement and compliance dynamics in a variety of international settings.
Molecular characterization ofToxocaraspp. eggs isolated from public parks and playgrounds in Shiraz, Iran
Authors: Choobineh M. , Mikaeili F. , Sadjjadi S.M. , Ebrahimi S. , Iranmanesh S.
Published: May 2018

Human toxocariasis, a worldwide parasitic disease, is caused by the larval stage of intestinal nematodes of dogs and cats, namelyToxocara canisandToxocara cati.Human infection occurs by the accidental ingestion of embryonated eggs present in the soil, vegetables or on other contaminated surfaces, as well as via consumption of uncooked paratenic hosts, such as bird meat and giblets. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contamination of soil in public parks and playgrounds in Shiraz using microscopy and molecular methods. A total of 150 soil samples were collected from public parks and playgrounds in various areas of Shiraz, southern Iran. The samples were treated with saturated zinc sulphate solution, andToxocaraspp. eggs were detected by microscopic observation followed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). To differentiateT. canisandT. catieggs from each other, PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS)-rDNA region bySalI endonuclease enzyme was used. PCR-sequencing was performed to confirm the results of the PCR-RFLP method. Based on the flotation results of the 150 soil samples, six (4%) were found to be positive forToxocaraspp. eggs, whereas nested-PCR showed 24 samples to be positive (16%). Based on the PCR-RFLP method and the sequence of the ITS-rDNA region, a total of 23 out of 24 isolates were confirmed asT. catiand one out of 24 asT. canis. The results showed a higher number of soil samples to be positive forToxocaraby the molecular method than microscopy, and higherT. catiinfection in soil samples, which could have an important role in human infection with toxocariasis in this region.
Can universal access be achieved in a voluntary private health insurance market? Dutch private insurers caught between competing logics
Authors: Vonk Robert A. A. , Schut Frederik T.
Published: May 2018

For almost a century, the Netherlands was marked by a large market for voluntary private health insurance alongside state-regulated social health insurance. Throughout this period, private health insurers tried to safeguard their position within an expanding welfare state. From an institutional logics perspective, we analyze how private health insurers tried to reconcile the tension between a competitive insurance market pressuring for selective underwriting and actuarially fair premiums (the insurance logic), and an upcoming welfare state pressuring for universal access and socially fair premiums (the welfare state logic). Based on primary sources and the extant historiography, we distinguish six periods in which the balance between both logics changed significantly. We identify various strategies employed by private insurers to reconcile the competing logics. Some of these were temporarily successful, but required measures that were incompatible with the idea of free entrepreneurship and consumer choice. We conclude that universal access can only be achieved in a competitive individual private health insurance market if this market is effectively regulated and mandatory cross-subsidies are effectively enforced. The Dutch case demonstrates that achieving universal access in a competitive private health insurance market is institutionally complex and requires broad political and societal support.
A 219–266 GHz LO-tunable direct-conversion IQ receiver module in a SiGe HBT technology
Authors: Rodriguez Vazquez P. , Grzyb J. , Sarmah N. , Heinemann B. , Pfeiffer U.R.
Published: May 2018

This paper presents a fully-integrated direct-conversion fundamentally-operated mixer-first quadrature receiver module with a tunable LO in the 219–266 GHz band. It has been implemented in a 0.13-μm SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor technology. It includes an on-chip LO path driven externally from the printed circuit board (PCB) connector level at 13.6–16.7 GHz. A hybrid coupler generates the quadrature LO signal, which drives a pair of double-balanced fundamentally-operated down-conversion mixers, whose RF ports are connected to a wideband lens-integrated on-chip ring antenna. The chip-on-lens assembly is placed in the recess of a high-speed PCB and wire-bonded. To compensate the inductive behavior of the wire-bond interconnection between the chip and the PCB at the high-speed IF outputs, an on-board 8-section step-impedance low-pass filter has been implemented. The module shows a 47 GHz 3-dB radio frequency/local oscillator operation bandwidth (BW), a peak conversion gain of 7.8 dB, a single-side-band noise figure of 11.3 dB, and a 3-dB IF BW of 13 GHz. The in-phase and quadrature amplitude imbalance stays below 1.58 dB for the 210–280 GHz band. The down-conversion and the baseband stages consume together 75.5 mW, while the LO path 378 mW. The maximum data-rate achieved with this receiver in combination with the transmitter presented in [1–3] is 60 Gbps for quadrature phase shift keying modulation.
Outcome of Twin Pregnancies Complicated by a Neural Tube Defect
Authors: Ross Vanessa , Reidy Karen , Doyle Lex W. , Palma-Dias Ricardo , Umstad Mark P.
Published: May 2018

Twin pregnancies discordant for neural tube defects (NTD) is a management dilemma. Risks of preterm delivery from polyhydramnios must be balanced with the risks of selective termination (ST) of the anomalous fetus. We investigated the prevalence of twin pregnancies discordant for NTD and the rate of pregnancy complications in our institution over a 10-year period. Cases were obtained by searching the hospital ultrasound database and findings were confirmed by expert review of ultrasound images. Outcomes of ST and expectant management were assessed. Each unaffected co-twin was assigned to three consecutive twin pregnancy controls matched by chorionicity and maternal age. Primary outcome was birth before 34 weeks’ gestation. Secondary outcomes were small for gestational age, mode of delivery, neonatal unit admission, and neonatal death. In total, 13 pregnancies were identified as potential cases. Of these, 11 were included in the analysis: 9 dichorionic diamniotic and 2 monochorionic diamniotic twins. Seven cases had ST and four were managed expectantly. We found 100% (4/4) of expectantly managed pregnancies delivered <34 weeks compared with 14% (1/7) of the ST group (p = .015). Polyhydramnios complicated three expectantly managed pregnancies and one pregnancy in the ST group. The birthweight SD score of all unaffected co-twins was ≥-2. The case–control analysis showed a higher rate of polyhydramnios in twin pregnancies discordant for NTD compared with controls, but little evidence for differences between groups in delivery rates <34 weeks, birthweight, neonatal unit admission, or neonatal death. ST warrants serious consideration to avoid potential complications to the unaffected co-twin.
Does Inequality Beget Inequality? Experimental Tests of the Prediction that Inequality Increases System Justification Motivation
Authors: Trump Kris-Stella , White Ariel
Published: May 2018

Past research shows that growing inequality often does not result in citizen demands for redistribution. We examine one mechanism that could explain why people do not protest growing inequality: a particular sub-prediction of system justification theory (SJT). SJT argues that humans have a psychological need to justify their social system. The specific sub-prediction of SJT tested here is the idea that inequality itself increases system justification. This could yield a negative feedback loop in which political responses to inequality grows ever less likely as inequality grows more extreme. Previous research on this hypothesis relied on cross-sectional survey data and provided mixed results. We take an experimental approach and ask whether exposure to economic inequality makes people more likely to defend the system. In one main study and two replications with varying samples, experimental treatments, and outcome measures, we find no evidence that information about economic inequality increases system justification motivation.
Transport Variability of Very Short Lived Substances From the West Indian Ocean to the Stratosphere
Authors: Fiehn Alina , Quack Birgit , Marandino Christa A. , Krüger Kirstin
Published: May 2018

Halogen‐ and sulfur‐containing compounds are supersaturated in the surface ocean, which results in their emission to the atmosphere. These compounds can be transported to the stratosphere, where they impact ozone, the background aerosol layer, and climate. In this study we calculate the seasonal and interannual variability of transport from the West Indian Ocean (WIO) surface to the stratosphere for 2000–2016 with the Lagrangian transport model FLEXPART using ERA‐Interim meteorological fields. We investigate the transport relevant for very short lived substances (VSLS) with tropospheric lifetimes corresponding to dimethylsulfide (1 day), methyl iodide (CH3I, 3.5 days), bromoform (CHBr3, 17 days), and dibromomethane (CH2Br2, 150 days). The stratospheric source gas injection of VSLS tracers from the WIO shows a distinct annual cycle associated with the Asian monsoon. Over the 16‐year time series, a slight increase in source gas injection from the WIO to the stratosphere is found for all VSLS tracers and during all seasons. The interannual variability shows a relationship with sea surface temperatures in the WIO as well as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation. During boreal spring of El Niño, enhanced stratospheric injection of VSLS from the tropical WIO is caused by positive sea surface temperature anomalies and enhanced vertical uplift above the WIO. During boreal fall of La Niña, strong injection is related to enhanced atmospheric upward motion over the East Indian Ocean and a prolonged Indian summer monsoon season. Related physical mechanisms and uncertainties are discussed in this study.
Phosphorous Immobility During Formation of the Layered Sulfate Deposits of the Burns Formation at Meridiani Planum
Authors: McCollom Thomas M. , Donaldson Chris , Moskowitz Bruce , Berquó Thelma S. , Hynek Brian
Published: May 2018

The relatively high abundance of phosphorous (P) in rocks from the Martian crust makes it a potentially useful element for tracking geochemical processes. Owing to the high solubility of common P‐bearing minerals such as apatite at low pH, P is widely thought to be mobile under acid‐sulfate conditions. Accordingly, transport of P by acidic fluids has been invoked to explain enrichments or depletions of this element in some rocks and soils from Mars. The sediments that compose the layered‐sulfate deposits of the Burns formation at Meridiani Planum were originally derived from a basaltic precursor but appear to have been exposed to acidic, sulfate‐rich fluids at several intervals during their history. Yet, assessment of the chemical composition of the bedrocks indicates that they maintain pristine igneous P:Ti ratios and P abundances similar to Martian basalts, indicating that there has been little or no transport of P into or out of the deposits at any stage in their formation. Potential reservoirs for P in the deposits include basaltic glass, secondary Fe‐ or Al‐phosphate minerals, substitution of PO4 for SO4 in alunite‐jarosite group minerals, or surface adsorption. Although Fe‐phosphates were not among the minerals detected by the Mössbauer spectrometer onboard the Opportunity rover at Meridiani, it might be difficult to detect such minerals even if they are present because they are below the detection limit or have signatures similar to other minerals. Overall, the results demonstrate that P can be immobile even in some acid‐sulfate environments on Mars and Earth.
Introducing paired electric dipole layers for efficient and reproducible perovskite solar cells
Authors: Lee Jong-Hoon , Kim Junghwan , Kim Geunjin , Shin Dongguen , Jeong Song Yi , Lee Jinho , Hong Soonil , Choi Jin Woo , Lee Chang-Lyoul , Kim Heejoo , Yi Yeonjin , Lee Kwanghee
Published: May 2018

The paired electric dipole layers significantly intensify the built-in field across the perovskite layer, resulting in suppressed charge trapping of photogenerated charges.
Protective activity of tovophyllin A, a xanthone isolated from Garcinia mangostana pericarps, against acetaminophen-induced liver damage: role of Nrf2 activation
Authors: Ibrahim Sabrin R. M. , El-Agamy Dina S. , Abdallah Hossam M. , Ahmed Nishat , Elkablawy Mohamed A. , Mohamed Gamal A.
Published: May 2018

Tovophyllin A (TA) ameliorates APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by activating Nrf2 and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.
Design and synthesis of novel 1,3,5-triphenyl pyrazolines as potential anti-inflammatory agents through allosteric inhibition of protein kinase Czeta (PKCζ)
Authors: Abdel-Halim Mohammad , Abadi Ashraf H. , Engel Matthias
Published: May 2018

A new focused library of PKCζ inhibitors was synthesized, leading to the identification of compound2h. Owing to its improved cellular potency in human and murine cell lines, this new lead compound opens up the possibility to evaluate allosteric PKCζ inhibitors in rat or mouse models.
Novel 99mTc labelled complexes with 2-nitroimidazole isocyanide: design, synthesis and evaluation as potential tumor hypoxia imaging agents
Authors: Ruan Qing , Zhang Xuran , Lin Xiao , Duan Xiaojiang , Zhang Junbo
Published: May 2018

99mTc-2c can be prepared by a direct labelling method without the need for heating and would be a promising probe for hypoxia imaging.
Palladium mediated deallylation in fully aqueous conditions for native chemical ligation at aspartic and glutamic acid sites
Authors: Jbara Muhammad , Eid Emad , Brik Ashraf
Published: May 2018

An efficient native chemical ligation approach at Asp and Glu sites is reported applying a hydrazide precursor, as a peptide thioester, and allyl protection at the side chain of Asp and Glu.
Recent progress in the stabilization of supramolecular assemblies with functional polydiacetylenes
Authors: Tahir M. Nazir , Nyayachavadi Audithya , Morin Jean-François , Rondeau-Gagné Simon
Published: May 2018

This minireview covers the most recent examples of covalent rigidification of supramolecular self-assemblies through the photopolymerization of diacetylene moieties.
CuCl/TMEDA/nor-AZADO-catalyzed aerobic oxidative acylation of amides with alcohols to produce imides
Authors: Kataoka Kengo , Wachi Keiju , Jin Xiongjie , Suzuki Kosuke , Sasano Yusuke , Iwabuchi Yoshiharu , Hasegawa Jun-ya , Mizuno Noritaka , Yamaguchi Kazuya
Published: May 2018

Employing a CuCl/TMEDA/nor-AZADO catalyst system, various types of structurally diverse imides could be synthesized from various combinations of alcohols and amides.
Growth dynamics of surface nanodroplets during solvent exchange at varying flow rates
Authors: Dyett Brendan , Kiyama Akihito , Rump Maaike , Tagawa Yoshiyuki , Lohse Detlef , Zhang Xuehua
Published: May 2018

Solvent exchange is a simple solution-based process to produce surface nanodroplets over a large area.
Kinematic Features of Jaw and Lips Distinguish Symptomatic From Presymptomatic Stages of Bulbar Decline in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Bandini Andrea , Green Jordan R. , Wang Jun , Campbell Thomas F. , Zinman Lorne , Yunusova Yana
Published: May 2018

Purpose

The goals of this study were to (a) classify speech movements of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in presymptomatic and symptomatic phases of bulbar function decline relying solely on kinematic features of lips and jaw and (b) identify the most important measures that detect the transition between early and late bulbar changes.

Method

One hundred ninety-two recordings obtained from 64 patients with ALS were considered for the analysis. Feature selection and classification algorithms were used to analyze lip and jaw movements recorded with Optotrak Certus (Northern Digital Inc.) during a sentence task. A feature set, which included 35 measures of movement range, velocity, acceleration, jerk, and area measures of lips and jaw, was used to classify sessions according to the speaking rate into presymptomatic (> 160 words per minute) and symptomatic (< 160 words per minute) groups.

Results

Presymptomatic and symptomatic phases of bulbar decline were distinguished with high accuracy (87%), relying only on lip and jaw movements. The best features that allowed detecting the differences between early and later bulbar stages included cumulative path of lower lip and jaw, peak values of velocity, acceleration, and jerk of lower lip and jaw.

Conclusion

The results established a relationship between facial kinematics and bulbar function decline in ALS. Considering that facial movements can be recorded by means of novel inexpensive and easy-to-use, video-based methods, this work supports the development of an automatic system for facial movement analysis to help clinicians in tracking the disease progression in ALS.
Exploring the realm of scaled solar system analogues with HARPS
Authors: Barbato D. , Sozzetti A. , Desidera S. , Damasso M. , Bonomo A. S. , Giacobbe P. , Colombo L. S. , Lazzoni C. , Claudi R. , Gratton R. , LoCurto G. , Marzari F. , Mordasini C.
Published: May 2018

Context. The assessment of the frequency of planetary systems reproducing the solar system’s architecture is still an open problem in exoplanetary science. Detailed study of multiplicity and architecture is generally hampered by limitations in quality, temporal extension and observing strategy, causing difficulties in detecting low-mass inner planets in the presence of outer giant planets.

Aims. We present the results of high-cadence and high-precision HARPS observations on 20 solar-type stars known to host a single long-period giant planet in order to search for additional inner companions and estimate the occurence rate fp of scaled solar system analogues – in other words, systems featuring lower-mass inner planets in the presence of long-period giant planets.

Methods. We carried out combined fits of our HARPS data with literature radial velocities using differential evolution MCMC to refine the literature orbital solutions and search for additional inner planets. We then derived the survey detection limits to provide preliminary estimates of fp.

Results. We generally find better constrained orbital parameters for the known planets than those found in the literature; significant updates can be especially appreciated on half of the selected planetary systems. While no additional inner planet is detected, we find evidence for previously unreported long-period massive companions in systems HD 50499 and HD 73267. We finally estimate the frequency of inner low mass (10–30 M⊕) planets in the presence of outer giant planets as fp < 9.84% for P < 150 days.

Conclusions. Our preliminary estimate of fp is significantly lower than the literature values for similarly defined mass and period ranges; the lack of inner candidate planets found in our sample can also be seen as evidence corroborating the inwards-migration formation model for super-Earths and mini-Neptunes. Our results also underline the need for high-cadence and high-precision followup observations as the key to precisely determine the occurence of solar system analogues.
Three-dimensional maps of interstellar dust in the Local Arm: using Gaia, 2MASS, and APOGEE-DR14
Authors: Lallement R. , Capitanio L. , Ruiz-Dern L. , Danielski C. , Babusiaux C. , Vergely L. , Elyajouri M. , Arenou F. , Leclerc N.
Published: May 2018

Context. Gaia data and stellar surveys open the way to the construction of detailed 3D maps of the Galactic interstellar (IS) dust based on the synthesis of star distances and extinctions. Dust maps are tools of broad use, also for Gaia-related Milky Way studies.

Aims. Reliable extinction measurements require very accurate photometric calibrations. We show the first step of an iterative process linking 3D dust maps and photometric calibrations, and improving them simultaneously.

Methods. Our previous 3D map of nearby IS dust was used to select low-reddening SDSS/APOGEE-DR14 red giants, and this database served for an empirical effective temperature- and metallicity-dependent photometric calibration in the Gaia G and 2MASS Ks bands. This calibration has been combined with Gaia G-band empirical extinction coefficients recently published, G, J, and Ks photometry and APOGEE atmospheric parameters to derive the extinction of a large fraction of the survey targets. Distances were estimated independently using isochrones and the magnitude-independent extinction KJ−Ks. This new dataset has been merged with the one used for the earlier version of dust map. A new Bayesian inversion of distance-extinction pairs has been performed to produce an updated 3D map.

Results. We present several properties of the new map. A comparison with 2D dust emission reveals that all large dust shells seen in emission at middle and high latitudes are closer than 300 pc. The updated distribution constrains the well-debated, X-ray bright North Polar Spur to originate beyond 800 pc. We use the Orion region to illustrate additional details and distant clouds. On the large scale the map reveals a complex structure of the Local Arm. Chains of clouds of 2–3 kpc in length appear in planes tilted by ≃15° with respect to the Galactic plane. A series of cavities oriented along a l ≃ 60–240° axis crosses the Arm.

Conclusions. The results illustrate the ongoing synergy between 3D mapping of IS dust and stellar calibrations in the context of Gaia. Dust maps provide prior foregrounds for future calibrations appropriate to different target characteristics or ranges of extinction, allowing us in turn to increase extinction data and produce more detailed and extended maps.
Single molecules and single nanoparticles as windows to the nanoscale
Authors: Caldarola Martín , Orrit Michel
Published: May 2018

Since the first optical detection of single molecules, they have been used as nanometersized
optical sensors to explore the physical properties of materials and light-matter
interaction at the nanoscale. Understanding nanoscale properties of materials is fundamental
for the development of new technology that requires precise control of atoms and molecules
when the quantum nature of matter cannot be ignored. In the following lines, we illustrate
this journey into nanoscience with some experiments from our group.
Geotechnical characteristics of some Iraqi gypseous soils
Authors: Schanz Tom , Karim Hussein H.
Published: May 2018

In Iraq, especially in the last three decades, extensive developments have been evidenced in the regions of gypseous soils due to the need of construction of many numbers of strategic projects. Failure of different structures constructed on gypseous soil in various regions in Iraq have been noticed. For this purpose, three areas in northern Iraq were selected (Samarra, Tikrit and Baiji) to study their geotechnical characteristics due to their high gypsum contents as well as many engineering problems are faced due to dissolution of gypsum. The experimental work involves testing of many properties such as: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), XRD, chemical, physical, compressibility, collapsibility, shear strength and suction. At low stress level, the test results revealed that, higher collapse potential (CP) is recorded for Tikrit soil. While at low stress level, higher CP is obtained for Baiji soil indicating the increase in CP with decreasing gypsum content. Furthermore, the CP significantly increases with increasing stress level and soaking period at a particular stress level. According to severity classification of the collapse potential, Baiji soil is considered as moderate trouble to slight, while Tikrit soil is considered as trouble to moderate. After soaking, both soils become trouble. As well as, the results showed a reduction in Tikrit soil shear parameters ( φ and c ) after soaking period of 6 and 24 hrs as 12.2 to 9.2% in the internal friction angle and 91.5 to 94.2% in cohesion, respectively with respect to dry condition. Maximum total suction is measured for low consistency soils (liquid limit < 30%) represented by Tikrit soil.
Stabilization of soft clayey soils with sawdust ashes
Authors: Karim Hussein , Al-Recaby Makki , Nsaif Maha
Published: May 2018

The problems of soft clayey soils are taken in considerations by many Iraqi geologists and civil engineers, because about 35% of the Iraqi clay soils (especially southern Iraq) are weak. Thus, it is necessary to improve the properties of such soils for road construction by means of using of various stabilizers such as sawdust ash. The main goal of the present study is to stabilize soft clay models with sawdust ash (SDA) additive using different percentages (0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% by dry weight of soil). The results revealed that the additive has adverse effects on the property of soil indices by increasing its liquid limit and plasticity index due to clay content. The mixture of sawdust ashes with soft clay soils improves most other physical and mechanical properties of the soil, as expressed by a general reduction in specific gravity and maximum dry density (MDD), as well as a reduction in the compression coefficients (Cc and Cr) with an increase in SDA content. While increasing the optimum moisture content (OMC) and the undrained shear strength (cu) with the increase in SDA content. The stabilized soils (with 4 and 10% ash content) resulted in low CBR values (1.6-1.2%) which can be used as sub-base. The SDA can be considered as a cheap and acceptable stabilizing agent in road construction for improving most of the geotechnical properties of the soft clayey soil.
Performance of soft clay stabilized with sand columns treated by silica fume
Authors: Samueel Zeena , Karim Hussein , Mohammed Mohammed
Published: May 2018

In many road construction projects, if weak soil exists, then uncontrollable settlement and critical load carrying capacity are major difficult problems to the safety and serviceability of roads in these areas. Thus ground improvement is essential to achieve the required level of performance. The paper presents results of the tests of four categories. First category was performed on saturated soft bed of clay without any treatment, the second category shed light on the improvement achieved in loading carrying capacity and settlement as a result of reinforcing with conventional sand columns at area replacement ratio = 0.196. The third set investigates the bed reinforced by sand columns stabilized with dry silica fume at different percentages (3, 5 and 7%) and the fourth set investigates the behavior of sand columns treated with slurry silica fume at two percentages (10 and 12%). All sand columns models were constructed at (R.D= 60%). Model tests were performed on bed of saturated soil prepared at undrained shear strength between 16-20 kPa for all models. For all cases, the model test was loaded gradually by stress increments up to failure. Stress deformation measurements are recorded and analyzed in terms of bearing improvement ratio and settlement reduction ratio. Optimum results were indicated from soil treated with sand columns stabilized with 7% dry silica fume at medium state reflecting the highest bearing improvement ratio (3.04) and the settlement reduction ratio (0.09) after 7 days curing. While soil treated with sand columns stabilized with 10% slurry silica fume provided higher bearing improvement ratio 3.13 with lower settlement reduction ratio of 0.57 after 7-days curing.
Remediation of Clayey Soil Using Silica Fume
Authors: Al-Soudany Kawther
Published: May 2018

This paper evaluates the use of silica fumes as modification of fine-grained soil in order to alter undesirable properties of the native soil and create new useful soils. Silica fume as well as clay material, are used in changing the engineering properties to be compatible and satisfying this is due to their pozzolanic reactivity. The study aims to investigate the uses of these materials in geotechnical engineering and to improve the properties of soils. Four percentages of silica fumes were used in the present study, which is 0, 3, 5 and 7%. Classification, specific gravity, compaction characteristics, swell and swell pressure, CBR and compressive strength tests had been conducted on the prepared and modified soils. Results clarified that the silica fume increasing leads to decrease the plasticity index and liquid limit. Increasing in silica fume causes an increasing in plastic limit and optimum water contents while the maximum dry unit weight values decrease. The compressive shear strength, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), swell and swell pressure is improved by using silica fume so that silica fume can be considered as a successful material in improving the soil properties.
Dynamic response of machine foundation resting on sand-granulated tyre rubber mixtures
Authors: Hassan Falah , Ahmed Salwan
Published: May 2018

This paper examines the dynamic response of machine foundation resting on sand mixed with granular rubber of sizes (0.07-3) mm to improve the vibration attenuation and to reduce the settlement of the foundation. Granular rubber used is the product of hashing scrap tyres to small pieces in a tyre factory of Babylon in Iraq. Forty Model tests were carried out in a steel box of size (1200x1200x900) mm using a steel square footing of size (200x200x20) mm and a vertically acting rotating-mass type mechanical oscillator to apply a harmonic vertical mode of vibration. Karbala sand was used in this study with two relative densities (loose and medium) mixed with granular rubber ratios of (4%, 8% and 12%) of dry sand for different depths of mixing of (0.25 B, 0.5 B and 1B). The effect of relative density, frequency, depth of mixing and mixing ratio were studied. The results showed that the displacement amplitude and the settlement of machine foundation resting on dry sand granular rubber mixtures decreased with increasing mixing ratio and mixing depth. The optimum mixing ratio and mixing depth for loose state are (8% and 0.5B) at 69 Hz frequency while they are (12% and 1B) at 80 Hz frequency. For medium state they are (8% and 1B) for both frequencies. The settlement became constant after few seconds of vibration application when the foundation resting on sand mixed with optimum granular rubber content.
Drainage investigation of surface runoff for highway pavement
Authors: Al-adili Aqeel , Abdulamir Rasha , Abbas Hawra
Published: May 2018

The aim of this study is to establish the effect of heavy rainfall and the chosen pavement layers on the drainage design, material selection and rutting resistance of the flexible pavement. The test in present study was started with wheel track passing without load and without rain falling on the pavement for a period of time, and it was noticed that no distress appeared on the surface of the pavement. Then, the load is gradually added by using wheel track load of 106 psi for five tests without rain falling and five other tests with gradually increasing rain fall duration and intensity. Deterioration and distresses appeared on the pavement when increasing the wheel track load to (150 psi) under high intensity rain and long term duration of rain fall. By increasing the number of days, which is 103 days of study, when the pavement is saturated, the extra amount of the water will runoff. The clogging material which caused a decrease in the water seepage, increases the time of runoff ending. The clogging materials of fine particles that get deposited on the surface of the pavement resulted by passing the wheel track loading and wear & tear of the pavement surface, and other clogging materials such as salt in the water will penetrate to the pavement and seal the voids and decrease its water seepage. The water seepage decreases by increasing number of days, so the amount of the absorbed water decreases by 89% after 71 days of testing for high rain intensity (116 ml/min.).
Application of mechanistic empirical approach to predict rutting of superpave mixtures in Iraq
Authors: Qasim Zaynab , Hamdou Hamed , Alkawaaz Namir
Published: May 2018

In Iraq rutting is considered as a real distress in flexible pavements as a result of high summer temperature, and increased axle loads. This distress majorly affects asphalt pavement performance, lessens the pavement useful service life and makes serious hazards for highway users. Performance of HMA mixtures against rutting using Mechanistic- Empirical approach is predicted by considering Wheel-Tracking test and employing the Superpave mix design requirements. Roller Wheel Compactor has been locally manufactured to prepare slab specimens. In view of study laboratory outcomes that are judged to be simulative of field loading conditions, models are developed for predicting permanent strain of compacted samples of local asphalt concrete mixtures after considering the stress level, properties of local material and environmental impacts variables. All in all, laboratory results were produced utilizing statistical analysis with the aid of SPSS software. Permanent strain models for asphalt concrete mixtures were developed as a function of: number of passes, temperature, asphalt content, viscosity, air voids and additive content. Mechanistic Empirical design approach through the MnPAVE software was applied to characterize rutting in HMA and to predict allowable number of loading repetitions of mixtures as a function of expected traffic loads, material properties, and environmental temperature.
Performance of railway track system under harmonic loading by finite element method
Authors: Shuber Ammar , Hamood Mohammed , Jawad Walaa
Published: May 2018

The performance of railway track under dynamic loading depends on many parameters such as type of sleepers, ballast, soil - structure interaction and the relation of contact forces between the track and railway. The rail track classified as low and high speeds, where speed is a very important factor in design. Many theoretical models were derived and some developed for dynamic analysis of railway track system with assumptions that simplified or matched actually the real behavior especially the support of sleepers as linear or nonlinear and the contact between railway and track. In the present paper, a Finite Elements Approach is one of the numerical analysis by ANSYS software that adopted here to study the performance of harmonic analysis of railway track system. Harmonic ranges were applied with constant applied loading based on the European code for the steel rail.
Developing optimized prioritizing road maintenance
Authors: Ewadh Hussein Ali , Almuhanna Raid , Alasadi Saja
Published: May 2018

Increased demand for efficient maintenance of the existing roadway system needs optimal usage of the allocated funds. The paper demonstrates optimized methods for prioritizing maintenance implementation projects. A selected zone of roadway system in Kerbala city represents the study area to demonstrate the application of the developed prioritization process. Paver system PAVER integrated with GIS is used to estimate and display the pavement condition index PCI, thereby to establish a priority of maintenance. In addition to simple ranking method by PCI produced by the output of PAVER, the paper introduces PCI measure for each section of roadway. The paper introduces ranking by multiple measures investigated through expert knowledge about measures that affect prioritization and their irrespective weights due to a predesigned questionnaire. The maintenance priority index (MPI) is related to cost of suitable proposed maintenance, easiness of proposed maintenance, average daily traffic and functional classification of the roadway in addition to PCI. Further, incremental benefit-cost analysis ranking provide an optimized process due to benefit and cost of maintenance. The paper introduces efficient display of layout and ranking for the selected zone of roadway system based on MPI index and incremental BCR method. Although the two developed methods introduce different layout display for priority, statistical test shows that no significant difference between ranking of all methods of prioritization.
The effects of adding waste plastic fibers on some properties of roller compacted concrete
Authors: Abed Adil , Al-Hadithi Abdulkader , Mohammed Ahmed Salih
Published: May 2018

An attempt to produce of roller compacted concrete (RCC) improved by adding waste plastic fibers (WPFs) resulting from cutting the PET beverage bottles was recorded in this study. The method which is used for production of RCC is an approved design method for ACI committee (5R-207,1980)[1]. WPF was added by volumetric percentages ranging between (0.5 to 2 %) and reference concrete mix was produced for comparison reason. Many tests were conducted on the models produced by rolling compacted concrete like compressive strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, dry density, water absorption and ultrasonic pulse velocity. The analysis of the results showed that the use of plastic waste fibers (1%) had led to improvement in the properties of each of the compressive strength and flexural strength compared with reference concrete. Results also showed that the addition of these, fibers increase water absorption and reduce the speed of Ultrasonic pulse velocity.
Effect of high temperature and type of cooling on some mechanical properties of cement mortar
Authors: Abdulhussei Faisal , Abbas Waleed , Frayyeh Qais
Published: May 2018

Mortar of cement as construction materials subjected sometimes to high temperature. Some of properties of this mortar being studied after this effect. The effect of high temperature 100, 200, 400 and 700°C (exposed for two hrs.) on some mechanical properties (compressive and flexural strength) of two groups of cement mortar samples (with and without the addition of crushed bricks and superplasticizer as modifying materials) has been studied. Two methods of cooling samples by air and by water for 1/2 hr. was used, then tested after 3, 7 and 28 days. The results showed that the compressive and flexural strength for reference mix exposed to 700°C and water cooling decreased by 65.3 % and 64.7%, respectively, compared with their reference mix tested at 20°C in 28 days. While mixes containing 100% of crushed brick as an additive and air cooling decreases by 12.3% and 9% of their compressive and flexural strength, respectively compared with the mixes tested at 20°C in 28 days. Also showed that the decreases in flexural strength for no sand mixes containing 100% of crushed brick and 4% of superplasticizer exposed to 700°C and then water cooling was 28.2% compared to those for reference mixes tested at 20°C.