bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Energy, exergy, and economic analysis of a new triple-cycle power generation configuration and selection of the optimal working fluid
Authors: Zeinodini Mohammadreza , Aliehyaei Mehdi
Published: July 2019

The present study investigated energy, exergy and economic analyses on a new triple-cycle power generation configuration. In this configuration, the energy of the exhaust gas and the wasted energy in the condenser of the steam cycle is recovered in the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) and the evaporator of organic Rankine cycle (ORC), respectively. A computer code was written in MATLAB to analyze the triple-cycle configuration. Validation through this program showed that the highest errors were 5.6 and 7.1%, which occurred in gas and steam cycles, respectively. The results revealed that the highest generated entropy was associated with the combustion chamber and the evaporator in the steam cycle. The first and second laws of thermodynamics efficiencies were improved by roughly 270 and 8%, respectively, through adding each of the steam and organic Rankine cycles. The entropy generated by the cycle increased by roughly 400 and 4% by adding the steam and organic Rankine cycles, respectively. The price of the produced electricity was also reduced by roughly 60 and 70%, respectively, for these two cycles.
Influence of rotating magnetic field on Maxwell saturated ferrofluid flow over a heated stretching sheet with heat generation/absorption
Authors: Majeed Aaqib , Zeeshan Ahmed , Noori Farzan Majeed , Masud Usman
Published: July 2019

This article is focused on Maxwell ferromagnetic fluid and heat transport characteristics under the impact of magnetic field generated due to dipole field. The viscous dissipation and heat generation/absorption are also taken into account. Flow here is instigated by linearly stretchable surface, which is assumed to be permeable. Also description of magneto-thermo-mechanical (ferrohydrodynamic) interaction elaborates the fluid motion as compared to hydrodynamic case. Problem is modeled using continuity, momentum and heat transport equation. To implement the numerical procedure, firstly we transform the partial differential equations (PDEs) into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by applying similarity approach, secondly resulting boundary value problem (BVP) is transformed into an initial value problem (IVP). Then resulting set of non-linear differentials equations is solved computationally with the aid of Runge–Kutta scheme with shooting algorithm using MATLAB. The flow situation is carried out by considering the influence of pertinent parameters namely ferro-hydrodynamic interaction parameter, Maxwell parameter, suction/injection and viscous dissipation on flow velocity field, temperature field, friction factor and heat transfer rate are deliberated via graphs. The present numerical values are associated with those available previously in the open literature for Newtonian fluid case (γ
1 = 0) to check the validity of the solution. It is inferred that interaction of magneto-thermo-mechanical is to slow down the fluid motion. We also witnessed that by considering the Maxwell and ferrohydrodynamic parameter there is decrement in velocity field whereas opposite behavior is noted for temperature field.
A modeling study on the effect of operating parameters on RHCM process using split flow channels design
Authors: Kria Fatma , Hammami Moez , Baccar Mounir
Published: July 2019

In this work, a three-dimensional numerical study of thermal behavior of RHCM mold for automotive parts production was undertaken. Particularly, simulation of several heating/cooling cycles was conducted to determine, at the regular cyclic regime, thermal behaviors at cavity/core plates and polymer as well as thermal and hydrodynamic behaviors at cooling water. It was demonstrated that heating/cooling channels with split flow design are suitable for RHCM regulation. Besides, to further promote part quality, process productivity, and profitability, the effect of cooling parameters, such as the coolant temperature and flow velocity in channels, on the RHCM process efficiency was analyzed. To highlight the influence of these parameters on the productivity and profitability of the process, the cycle time and the consumed energy were used. Temperature gap at the cavity plate surfaces after the heating phase as well as the maximum temperature difference (MTD) in the polymer part after the cooling phase were used as criteria to evaluate the automotive part quality. The results show that the coolant temperature increase in the range between 30 and 60 °C reduces the energy consumption and improves the finished product quality with almost the same cycle time obtained by low coolant temperature. As regards to coolant flow velocity effect, an optimum value of about 1 m.s−1improves part quality and provides a compromise between the cycle time and process profitability.
Evaluation of green extraction methods on the chemical and nutritional aspects of roselle seed (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) oil
Authors: Naeem Moahamed A. , Zahran Hamdy A. , Hassanein Minar M.M.
Published: July 2019

Roselle is one of the valuable plants grown in some regions of Egypt, which is used to make juices or as natural food color additive. Roselle seeds are waste, which can be used as a source of non-traditional oil, nutritious or functional compound. The evaluation of green extraction methods including supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2), screw, hydraulic press comparing to traditional method on oil yield, total phenolics, antioxidant activity (DPPH) and oxidative stability of roselle seeds oil were investigated. Fatty acid composition and tocopherol of the oil were also determined. The results showed that the roselle seeds oil extracted by solvent gave the highest oil content and extraction rate (17.98 and 98.34%, respectively) and the lowest peroxide and acid value. SC-CO2 gave the higher content of alpha, gamma, and delta tocopherol comparing to the other extraction methods. Fatty acid showed that linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid, was dominant followed by oleic and palmitic acids. These fatty acids were higher amounts in oil extracted by SC-CO2, followed by cold-press comparing to solvent extraction. The maximum stability (20 h), higher TPC (22.18 mg GAE/g) and antioxidant activity (DPPH, 65.15) were observed in oil extracted by SC-CO2 followed by hydraulic-press, solvent extraction and finally screw-press. The results revealed that SC-CO2 method is more efficient in determination of total tocopherol, oxidative stability, TPC and radical scavenging activity than the other extraction methods. Cold press extraction methods gave higher oil yield than SC-CO2 and more economically than other methods.
ASCO-GU 2019: Nierenzellkarzinom
Authors: Schmale Ine
Published: July 2019

Beim klarzelligen Nierenzellkarzinom (ccRCC) entwickeln sich Metastasen von vielen diversen Phänotypen. In der Studie TRACERx Renal wurden Daten von 575 Primärtumor- und 335 Metastasen-Biopsien von 100 Patienten mit metastasiertem ccRCC analysiert. Dr. Samra Turajlic, London/Großbritannien, berichtete auf dem ASCO GU 2019 über neue Erkenntnisse zur genetischen Evolution beim ccRCC.
ACUTE LEUKEMIAS XVII: AML-Risikofaktoren identifizieren – Therapie adaptieren
Authors: Röper Ulrike
Published: July 2019

Die akute myeloische Leukämie (AML), die häufigste Leukämie bei Erwachsenen, stellt nach wie vor eine therapeutische Herausforderung dar. Neben Standardchemotherapie und Stammzelltransplantation kommen hypomethylierende Substanzen (HMA) sowie IDH-, Hedgehog- oder BCL2-Inhibitoren und viele andere Interventionen zum Einsatz. Vor allem für ältere Patienten mit Begleiterkrankungen, die für aggressive Therapien nicht in Frage kommen, ergeben sich neue Möglichkeiten. Doch es wird noch lange dauern, bis endgültige Klarheit über ein optimales Vorgehen besteht.
Qualität der onkologischen Versorgung
Authors: Bubenzer Rainer
Published: July 2019

Bei insgesamt mehr als 1000 von der Deutschen Krebsgesellschaft (DKG) zertifizierten onkologischen Zentren in über 440 Krankenhäusern bundesweit werden jährlich mehr als 200 000 Patienten mit der Erstdiagnose Krebs behandelt. Führt das Zertifizierungssystem – entsprechend der ursprünglichen Hoffnungen – zu einer verbesserten Versorgung der Patienten? Auf einem Pressegespräch der DKG nahm Prof. Thomas Seufferlein, Ulm, zu dieser Frage und anderen aktuellen Themen in der onkologischen Versorgungslandschaft Stellung.
Methodological Considerations for a Vascular Function Test Battery
Authors: Kimble Rachel , Keane Karen M. , Lodge John K. , Howatson Glyn
Published: July 2019

There is a dearth of information regarding the reliability of non-invasive measures of vascular function taken in a single testing session. This study aimed to determine the test-retest reliability of a test battery of vascular function measures: automated blood pressure (BP), laser Doppler imaging with iontophoresis (LDI), digital volume pulse (DVP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx) measured by pulse wave analysis (PWA) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) taken within and between sessions. Measures were taken in 21 non-smoking males intra-session and again inter-session (one week apart) to determine repeatability and reproducibility, respectively. There was moderate to excellent repeatability (ICC: 0.53–0.93; CV=2.2–18.1%) and reproducibility (ICC: 0.71–0.96; CV 1.9–14.2%) for BP, DVP stiffness index, PWV, AIx, AIx normalised to heart rate (75 bpm), absolute and percentage FMD. Repeatability of the DVP reflection index was moderate (ICC: 0.64; CV=9.5%) but there was poor reproducibility (ICC: 0.17; CV=15.1%). Moreover, the repeatability and reproducibility of the LDI measures ranged from poor to good (ICC: 0.31–0.84; CV=28.4–36.7%). These data indicated that there was considerable variability in the repeatability and reproducibility of measurements of endothelial function and arterial stiffness taken in a battery of measurements, which needs careful consideration in future research designs.
Key performance measures for colonoscopy in the Polish Colonoscopy Screening Program
Authors: Bugajski Marek , Rupinski Maciej , Wieszczy Paulina , Pisera Małgorzata , Regula Jaroslaw , Kaminski Michal F.
Published: July 2019

Background The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) has published guidelines on key performance measures for colonoscopy. We analyzed whether those standards were met in the Polish Colonoscopy Screening Program (PCSP) and whether the monitoring was feasible.

Methods We analyzed database records for 43 277 PCSP participants (25 PCSP centers) for the years 2014 – 2015. We used the guideline definitions to calculate values for all key performance measures and compared these with the proposed standards at individual, center, and program level. All data were acquired from the PCSP database, apart from complication data which was assessed from external registries.

Results At the program level, four of five minimum standards and one of two target standards (no set minimum standard) were met. Adequate bowel preparation rate was 91.3 % for the whole program (range among individual centers 79.2 % – 99.2 %). Cecal intubation rate was 97.4 % (93.4 % – 99.4 %). Adenoma detection rate was 29.8 % (19.1 % – 39.1 %). An appropriate polypectomy technique was applied in 62.7 % of cases (0.4 % – 97.8 %). Regarding complications, 7-day hospitalization rate after screening colonoscopy was 0.3 % (n = 127), and 30-day all-cause mortality was 0.02 % (n = 9). Patient feedback was assessed in 66.2 % of colonoscopies (7.6 % – 81.8 %). Appropriate post-polypectomy surveillance was proposed in 95.4 % of cases (range 84.9 % – -99.7 %). It was easy to monitor 6 of 7 key performance measures within the PCSP database, but monitoring complications required the additional effort of data extraction from external registries.

Conclusions The PCSP meets most proposed minimum standards at program level. Some centers need additional interventions to meet the complete set of quality standards. Use of ESGE performance measures for monitoring colonoscopy is generally feasible in the setting of the colonoscopy screening program.
Efficacy of precutting endoscopic mucosal resection with full or partial circumferential incision using a snare tip for difficult colorectal lesions
Authors: Yoshida Naohisa , Inoue Ken , Dohi Osamu , Yasuda Ritsu , Hirose Ryohei , Naito Yuji , Murakami Takaaki , Ogiso Kiyoshi , Inada Yutaka , Inagaki Yoshikazu , Morinaga Yukiko , Kishimoto Mitsuo , Itoh Yoshito
Published: July 2019

Background We analyzed the efficacy of precutting endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR), which is a method of making a full or partial circumferential mucosal incision around a tumor with a snare tip for en bloc resection.

Methods We reviewed cases from 2011 to 2018 in which precutting EMR (n = 167) and standard EMR (n = 557) were performed for lesions of 10 – 30 mm. Precutting EMR was indicated for benign lesions of 20 – 30 mm or lesions of < 20 mm for which standard EMR was difficult. Through propensity score matching of the two groups, the therapeutic outcomes for 35 lesions of ≥ 20 mm and 98 lesions of < 20 mm in each group were analyzed.

Results In the two sizes of lesion, there were significant differences between the precutting and standard groups in the en bloc resection rate (≥ 20 mm 88.6 % vs. 48.5 %, P < 0.001; < 20 mm 98.0 % vs. 85.7 %, P = 0.004) and the histological complete resection rate (≥ 20 mm 71.4 % vs. 42.9 %, P = 0.02; < 20 mm 87.8 % vs. 67.3 %, P < 0.001).

Conclusion Precutting EMR enabled high en bloc resection rates in cases involving difficult lesions.
Regioselective Synthesis of 2-Acylbutadienes from β,γ-Unsaturated Ketones
Authors: Shabalin Dmitrii A. , Ivanova Elena V. , Ushakov Igor A. , Schmidt Elena Yu. , Trofimov Boris A.
Published: July 2019

2-Acylbuta-1,3-dienes have been synthesized regioselectively from aromatic and heteroaromatic β,γ-unsaturated ketones (readily accessible via base-catalyzed addition of ketones to acetylenes) and aldehydes. The reaction smoothly proceeds with piperidine (10 mol%)/acetic acid (10 mol%) catalytic pair in boiling toluene to provide synthetically attractive polyconjugated electron-deficient dienes in up to 94% yield.
Is Preoperative Planning for Hip Surgery Using Three-Dimensional Printed Models Associated with Improved Intra- and Postoperative Outcomes? A Systematic Review
Authors: Mosca Michael J. , Castañeda Pablo
Published: July 2019

Use of three-dimensional (3D) printed models for preoperative planning, patient-specific surgical guides, and implants in orthopaedic surgery is a burgeoning technology. It has not been established if 3D-printed models for preoperative planning are associated with improved clinical outcomes or if they are cost-effective for hip surgeries including total hip arthroplasty (THA), periacetabular osteotomy (PAO), proximal femoral osteotomy (PFO), and/or hip fractures. The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic search and literature review to determine if preoperative planning for hip surgery using 3D-printed models was associated with improved intra- and postoperative outcomes. Specific aims were to determine the (1) types of applications and studies conducted, (2) types of 3D printing/materials used, (3) specific outcomes evaluated, (4) efficacy of 3D printing in planning for hip surgery, and (5) limitations of current research. The authors searched Medline, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, and PubMed from inception through July 2017. Original research publications were included if the primary purpose was to evaluate 3D-printed models' ability to assist with the planning of hip surgeries. Papers were excluded if they were reviews, abstracts, and not available in English, their models were not patient-specific, or their research did not evaluate surgery of the acetabulofemoral joint or pelvis. Of the 3,369 unique papers identified, 21 met inclusion criteria after full-text review. Among the included studies, six evaluated 3D printing in THA, seven in PAO/PFO, and eight in fracture repairs/reconstruction. The research included nine case reports, three case series, one retrospective uncontrolled study, six prospective uncontrolled studies, and two prospective controlled studies. 3D printed models resulted in: reduced intraoperative improvisation, operating room time, blood loss/transfusions, improved positioning of plates/screws/implants, clinical scores, measures of realignment, and functional status. Recent innovations in 3D printing are promising but unproven to improve clinical outcomes in hip surgeries due to limitations of published research. This may impact utilization and reimbursement of 3D-printed models in hip surgery. Studies of resource utilization, cost-effectiveness, and controlled trials with standardized methods and clinical outcomes of relevance are needed.
Endovascular Management of Varicose Veins: A Review of Literature
Authors: Singhal Soumil , Uthappa Mangerira Chinnappa
Published: July 2019

Venous insufficiency of the lower limb is a common condition characterized by a spectrum of symptoms, including bulging leg veins, pain, swelling, and ulceration. Various treatment options are available; however, the newer endovascular options are easy, highly effective, safe, and quick in relieving symptoms. Endovascular treatment options include thermal ablation, mechanicochemical ablation, and foam sclerotherapy. This review article briefly describes various scoring systems used in varicose veins, the role of imaging, different management techniques, and guidelines proposed in the management of this condition.
Role of a Checklist to Improve Patient Safety in Interventional Radiology
Authors: Singhal Soumil , Uthappa Mangerira Chinnappa
Published: July 2019

A checklist can be defined as a comprehensive formal list of essential actions to be taken in a specific fashion. This concept has been extended from the aviation industry to health care to improve patient outcome and patient satisfaction with a significant reduction in complication rates. This review article aims to assess the importance and benefits associated with the use of a well-formulated checklist while performing the various minimally invasive image-guided procedures. Various databases including PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane were searched for using various keywords including “Checklist,” “Radiology,” “Interventional Radiology,” “Image-Guided Procedure,” and “minimally invasive procedure.” The use of a checklist is the way ahead especially when patients today require minimal risk but demand high-quality care. Implementation of such an easy-to-perform tailor-made mechanism can significantly improve patient outcome and patient satisfaction.
Contrast-Related Neurotoxicity: An Entity Not to be Forgotten
Authors: Rajagopal Rengarajan , Raju Sreenivasa Narayana , Pandey Niraj Nirmal , Sharma Sanjiv
Published: July 2019

Neurotoxicity related to intra-arterial use of iodinated contrast agents is a relatively uncommon complication of angiography. The authors describe the case of a 42-year-old patient with type B aortic dissection, who developed contrast-related neurological symptoms.
Pushing the limits of deep-ultraviolet scanning near-field optical microscopy
Authors: Ishii Ryota , Funato Mitsuru , Kawakami Yoichi
Published: July 2019

Deep-ultraviolet (DUV) microscopy and microspectroscopy have received much attention in label-free live-cell imaging, selective molecular analysis, and optical characterizations of ultrawide bandgap materials. Far-field optics approaches usually suffer from the diffraction limit of light. Meanwhile, near-field optics technology is immature in the DUV spectral region. Herein, we develop a DUV scanning near-field optical microscope (SNOM) with an excitation wavelength of 210 nm. The fourth harmonic generation of a continuous-wave Ti:sapphire laser is the excitation source. Two negative feedback control systems stabilize the power and pointing, allowing scanning microscopy to be carried out over a long period of time even in the DUV spectral region. A reflective objective couples the excitation beam onto an optical fiber probe. The optical fiber probe is solarization-resistant and is not coated by metallic materials. The reflective-based objective optical design does not introduce chromatic aberrations in the detection signals. Our DUV-SNOM is used to measure the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the quantum well structure of aluminum gallium nitride, which is an ultrawide bandgap material. The PL mapping images indicate that emissive localization centers can be individually visualized via our DUV-SNOM with a lateral resolution exceeding 150 nm.
High accuracy theoretical investigations of CaF, SrF, and BaF and implications for laser-cooling
Authors: Hao Yongliang , Pašteka Lukáš F. , Visscher Lucas , Aggarwal Parul , Bethlem Hendrick L. , Boeschoten Alexander , Borschevsky Anastasia , Denis Malika , Esajas Kevin , Hoekstra Steven , Jungmann Klaus , Marshall Virginia R. , Meijknecht Thomas B. , Mooij Maarten C. , Timmermans Rob G. E. , Touwen Anno , Ubachs Wim , Willmann Lorenz , Yin Yanning , Zapara Artem ,   (NL-eEDM Collaboration)
Published: July 2019

The NL-eEDM collaboration is building an experimental setup to search for the permanent electric dipole moment of the electron in a slow beam of cold barium fluoride molecules [NL-eEDM Collaboration, Eur. Phys. J. D 72, 197 (2018)]. Knowledge of the molecular properties of BaF is thus needed to plan the measurements and, in particular, to determine the optimal laser-cooling scheme. Accurate and reliable theoretical predictions of these properties require the incorporation of both high-order correlation and relativistic effects in the calculations. In this work, theoretical investigations of the ground and lowest excited states of BaF and its lighter homologs, CaF and SrF, are carried out in the framework of the relativistic Fock-space coupled cluster and multireference configuration interaction methods. Using the calculated molecular properties, we determine the Franck-Condon factors (FCFs) for the A2Π1/2→X2Σ1/2+ transition, which was successfully used for cooling CaF and SrF and is now considered for BaF. For all three species, the FCFs are found to be highly diagonal. Calculations are also performed for the B2Σ1/2+→X2Σ1/2+ transition recently exploited for laser-cooling of CaF; it is shown that this transition is not suitable for laser-cooling of BaF, due to the nondiagonal nature of the FCFs in this system. Special attention is given to the properties of the A′2Δ state, which in the case of BaF causes a leak channel, in contrast to CaF and SrF species where this state is energetically above the excited states used in laser-cooling. We also present the dipole moments of the ground and excited states of the three molecules and the transition dipole moments (TDMs) between the different states. Finally, using the calculated FCFs and TDMs, we determine that the A2Π1/2→X2Σ1/2+ transition is suitable for transverse cooling in BaF.
Aberration-corrected cryogenic objective mirror with a 0.93 numerical aperture
Authors: Fujiwara Masanori , Ishii Takaki , Ishida Keita , Toratani Yasuharu , Furubayashi Taku , Matsushita Michio , Fujiyoshi Satoru
Published: July 2019

We developed a cryogenic objective mirror [Toratani-Fujiwara (TORA-FUJI) mirror] with a 36-μm field of view (FOV) radius and a 0.93 numerical aperture. The latest reported cryogenic objective mirror (INAGAWA mirror) under a superfluid-helium immersion condition had a nearly maximum numerical aperture (0.99) and was perfectly achromatic. However, its FOV radius was restricted to 1.5 μm, mainly due to coma aberration. In the TORA-FUJI mirror, correcting coma aberration realized the 36-μm FOV radius. In addition, the remaining four Seidel aberrations and the chromatic aberrations were sufficiently corrected. To evaluate the optical performance, the cryogenic fluorescence imaging of individual dyes was performed with the TORA-FUJI mirror at a 685-nm excitation wavelength. This result shows that the TORA-FUJI mirror in superfluid helium at 1.8 K exhibits nearly diffraction-limited performance in the FOV region.
Reducing bias in the analysis of solution-state NMR data with dynamics detectors
Authors: Smith Albert A. , Ernst Matthias , Meier Beat H. , Ferrage Fabien
Published: July 2019

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is sensitive to dynamics on a wide range of correlation times. Recently, we have shown that analysis of relaxation rates via fitting to a correlation function with a small number of exponential terms could yield a biased characterization of molecular motion in solid-state NMR due to limited sensitivity of experimental data to certain ranges of correlation times. We introduced an alternative approach based on “detectors” in solid-state NMR, for which detector responses characterize motion for a range of correlation times and reduce potential bias resulting from the use of simple models for the motional correlation functions. Here, we show that similar bias can occur in the analysis of solution-state NMR relaxation data. We have thus adapted the detector approach to solution-state NMR, specifically separating overall tumbling motion from internal motions and accounting for contributions of chemical exchange to transverse relaxation. We demonstrate that internal protein motions can be described with detectors when the overall motion and the internal motions are statistically independent. We illustrate the detector analysis on ubiquitin with typical relaxation data sets recorded at a single high magnetic field or at multiple high magnetic fields and compare with results of model-free analysis. We also compare our methodology to LeMaster’s method of dynamics analysis.
Superresolution effect on a microstep phase image in a laser heterodyne microscope
Authors: Akhmedzhanov I.M. , Baranov D.V. , Zolotov E.M. , Shupletsova Yu.I.
Published: July 2019

The possibility of achieving superresolution on a microstep phase image in a laser scanning differential heterodyne microscope is studied both heoretically and experimentally. The superresolution is estimated as the width ratio for the amplitude and phase components of the microscope response measured at half the height of the corresponding parts of the response. It is shown theoretically that superresolution greatly exceeding unity can be achieved for an object in the form of a phase microstep introducing a phase shift equal to π. Superresolution of ∼2 is experimentally obtained for certified test micro-objects. A possibility of tuning a test sample into the superresolution regime by shifting a point photodetector in the microscope’s Fourier plane is demonstrated.
Erbium-doped optical fibre with enhanced radiation resistance for superluminescent fibre sources
Authors: Ponosova A.A. , Azanova I.S. , Mironov N.K. , Yashkov M.V. , Riumkin K.E. , Kel’ O.L. , Sharonova Yu.O. , Melkumov M.A.
Published: July 2019

This paper presents a study of the properties of erbium-doped optical fibres with enhanced gamma-ray resistance at a high dose rate. The fibres have a silica core containing different dopants. The gamma-ray resistance of the fibres is due to additional doping of their core with cerium and germanium ions, as well as to aluminium concentration optimisation. We assess the effect of fibre composition on the radiation-induced loss at a wavelength of 1310 nm and the output power and weighted average wavelength of superluminescent fibre sources based on erbium-doped fibre under pulsed gamma irradiation (dose per pulse, ∼ 20 Gy). The fibre doped with aluminium, germanium and cerium oxides is shown to be optimal for use in gamma-ray-resistant broadband superluminescent fibre sources.
Absolute frequency measurements for emission transitions of molecular iodine in the range of 1053 – 1068 nm
Authors: Nesterenko M.I. , Ignatovich S.M. , Kuznetsov S.A. , Matyugin Yu.A. , Skvortsov M.N.
Published: July 2019

Results of high-precision frequency measurements are presented for certain components of the 127I2 hyperfine structure, which correspond to emission transitions of the B – X band in the range of 1053 – 1068 nm. The frequencies are measured by using a femtosecond optical frequency synthesiser based on a Ti:sapphire laser. The hyperfine structure is resolved by the method of three-level laser spectroscopy. The frequency-doubled cw Nd : YAG laser is used as an excitation radiation source, and the probe radiation in the range of 1050 – 1070 nm is generated by an external-cavity diode laser. The frequencies of both lasers are simultaneously locked to those of two adjacent hyperfine structure components of iodine lines, which have a common upper level. Correspondingly, the frequency of the Nd : YAG laser is locked to the frequency of the absorption transition component, and the diode laser frequency – to the frequency of the emission transition component. The radiation frequency of the diode laser ‘locked’ in this way is measured. Frequencies of 18 hyperfine structure components for six emission lines corresponding to the bands (32 – 54) and (32 – 53) are measured. The relative uncertainty of the measurement is 8 × 10–10.
Thermoelectrically cooled, repetitively pulsed Fe : ZnSe laser
Authors: Zakharov N.G. , Zakhryapa A.V. , Kozlovsky V.I. , Korostelin Yu.V. , Skasyrsky Ya.K. , Frolov M.P. , Chuvatkin R.S. , Yutkin I.M.
Published: July 2019

We report the investigation of a repetitively pulsed laser based on a Fe : ZnSe crystal, cooled to a temperature of 195 K by two thermoelectric modules with a maximum cooling power of 34 W. Two pulsed synchronised Er : YAG lasers, operating in the free-lasing regime, are used for pumping. It is shown that the average laser power in a series of short pulses may exceed 20 W. An average power of 3.1 W is attained in the stationary temperature regime. The lasing spectrum is centred at a wavelength of 4.38 μm, and the total divergence angle is 5 mrad.
Ultranarrow-waveguide AlGaAs/GaAs/InGaAs lasers
Authors: Bobretsova Yu.K. , Veselov D.A. , Klimov A.A. , Vavilova L.S. , Shamakhov V.V. , Slipchenko S.O. , Pikhtin N.A.
Published: July 2019

We have designed, fabricated and studied ultranarrow-waveguide heterostructure lasers emitting in the spectral range 1000 – 1100 nm. The lasers have been characterised by current – voltage, light – current, far-field intensity distribution and internal optical loss measurements. The ultranarrow-waveguide lasers have been shown to have a threshold current density of ∼75 A cm−2, internal quantum efficiency near 100 % and internal optical loss near the lasing threshold under 1 cm−1, which corresponds to the level of standard heterostructures. We have demonstrated the possibility of obtaining up to 5 W of output power in continuous mode and up to 30 W in pulsed mode, with a beam convergence (FWHM) of 17.8°. The slope of the internal optical loss as a function of pump current for the ultranarrow-waveguide lasers can be markedly lower than that in lasers with a standard design, but internal quantum efficiency drops to 40 % with increasing pump current. The use of barrier layers in ultranarrow-waveguide lasers makes it possible to substantially reduce the drop in internal quantum efficiency.
Cost of maternity care to public hospitals: a first 1000-days perspective from Queensland
Authors: Callander Emily J. , Fenwick Jennifer , Donnellan-Fernandez Roslyn , Toohill Jocelyn , Creedy Debra K. , Gamble Jenny , Fox Haylee , Ellwood David
Published: July 2019

Objective This study sought to compare costs for women giving birth in different public hospital services across Queensland and their babies. Methods A whole-of-population linked administrative dataset was used containing all health service use in a public hospital in Queensland for women who gave birth between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2015 and their babies. Generalised linear models were used to compare costs over the first 1000 days between hospital and health services. Results The mean unadjusted cost for each woman and her baby (n = 134 910) was A$17406 in the first 1000 days. After adjusting for clinical and demographic factors and birth type, women and their babies who birthed in the Cairns Hospital and Health Service (HHS) had costs 19% lower than those who birthed in Gold Coast HHS (95% confidence interval (CI) –32%, –4%); women and their babies who birthed at the Mater public hospitals had costs 28% higher than those who birthed at Gold Coast HHS (95% CI 8, 51). Conclusions There was considerable variation in costs between hospital and health services in Queensland for the costs of delivering maternity care. Cost needs to be considered as an important additional element of monitoring programs. What is known about the topic? The Australian maternal care system delivers high-quality, safe care to Australian mothers. However, this comes at a considerable financial cost to the Australian public health system. It is known that there are variations in the cost of care depending upon the model of care a woman receives, and the type of delivery she has, with higher-cost treatment not necessarily being safer or producing better outcomes. What does this paper add? This paper compares the cost of delivering a full cycle of maternity care to a woman at different HHSs across Queensland. It demonstrates that there is considerable variation in cost across HHSs, even after adjusting for clinical and demographic factors. What are the implications for practitioners? Reporting of cost should be an ongoing part of performance monitoring in public hospital maternity care alongside clinical outcomes to ensure the sustainability of the high-quality maternal health care Australian public hospitals deliver.
Genetic characterisation and agronomic and nutritional value of bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia), an under-utilised species suitable for low-input farming systems
Authors: Russi Luigi , Acuti Gabriele , Trabalza-Marinucci Massimo , Porta Raffaele , Rubini Andrea , Damiani Francesco , Cristiani Stefano , Dal Bosco Alessandro , Martuscelli Gaia , Bellucci Michele , Pupilli Fulvio
Published: July 2019

Bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia (L.) Willd.), a grain legume crop well adapted in marginal soils, has mainly been used for animal feed. Nowadays, bitter vetch seeds in feed formulations are replaced by other protein sources such as soybean meal. However, in the context of sustainable economic development, it may be beneficial to enhance the cultivation of bitter vetch landraces in marginal areas. Fifty-six bitter vetch accessions of different provenance were preliminarily characterised by microsatellite DNA analysis to discriminate landraces suitable for specific and restricted environments. Twenty-two landraces of two genetically different groups were then selected for further characterisation by agro-morphological analyses. Being late-flowering with a seed yield of up to 3–4 t ha–1 in experimental field conditions, with neither chemical nor water input, these plants will be valuable material for long-term study to develop new cultivars adapted for seed production under organic agricultural systems in Southern Europe. The seeds of these 22 landraces were also evaluated, with positive results, as partial replacement of soybean in rabbit diets.
Can peat soil support a flaming wildfire?
Authors: Lin Shaorun , Sun Peiyi , Huang Xinyan
Published: July 2019

Smouldering wildfire in peatlands is one of the largest and longest-lasting fire phenomena on Earth, but whether peat can support a flaming fire like other surface fuels is still unclear. Our experiments demonstrate the successful piloted flaming ignition of peat soil with moisture up to 100 wt-% under external radiation, indicating that flames may rapidly spread on peatland before transitioning to a conventional smouldering peat fire. Compared with smouldering ignition, flaming ignition of peat is more difficult, requiring a higher minimum heat flux and tripling the ignition energy. The propensity for flaming increases with a drier peat and greater external heating. We also found that the flaming ignition temperature increases from 290 to 690°C as the peat moisture increases to 100 wt-%. Flames from peat soil are much weaker than those of pine needles and wood, and they eventually transition to smouldering. The heat of flaming is estimated to be 13MJkg−1, close to the heat of smouldering. The measured CO/CO2 ratio of flaming peat fires is less than 0.02, much smaller than 0.2 for smouldering peat fires. This research helps understand the development of peat fire and the interaction between flaming and smouldering wildland fires.
Developing intercultural learning capabilities
Authors: O’Neill Fiona , Crichton Jonathan , Scarino Angela
Published: July 2019

This paper reports on a semester-long study that explored the
experience of a group of local and international students from multiple
disciplines, and their teachers, in a core Intercultural Communication
undergraduate course of 550 students in which there is an orientation to
learning, teaching and assessment that seeks to develop students’ intercultural
learning capabilities. To capture the experience of learning, teaching and
assessment in a highly diverse Australian university, data were collected over
the life cycle of the course. The research design was ethnographic and
collaborative, involving the research team, members of the teaching staff, and
members of the university’s learning and teaching unit. The data include
interviews with students and teachers, students’ written assessments, and
observations of weekly teaching staff meetings. The overarching finding of the
study is that, to enable students to develop their intercultural learning
capabilities, there is a need to rethink notions of experience and engagement,
specifically to attend to the central role of language/s and culture/s in all
students’ experience of learning, teaching, and assessment. Analysed examples
from the data are used to illustrate four specific guiding principles
underpinning this (re)orientation to learning. The study was one of two case
studies funded by the University of South Australia as part of a larger project:
Developing English Language and Intercultural Learning Capabilities.1
Linguistic landscapes
Authors: Hatoss Anikó
Published: July 2019

Some of the key challenges in teaching intercultural communication (IC) are to engage learners in activities which develop their critical intercultural awareness and to prepare them for communication in superdiverse (Vertovec, 2007) contexts. This paper discusses linguistic landscapes (LL) as an innovative method for teaching intercultural competence. Undergraduate linguistics students conducted a LL project to explore linguistic diversity in their chosen suburb of Sydney and reflected on their own intercultural learning experience. Student reflections revealed that the project had a strong impact on their perceptions of diversity and their attitudes towards other languages and cultures. Students increased their critical awareness of how identity, ideology and attitudes influence language choices and intercultural interactions. The experiential learning project also made them reflect on their own identity as intercultural citizens. The findings of this study highlight the usefulness of the project in developing intercultural competence (ICC). The paper discusses methodological implications for teaching IC in the context of increasingly multilingual and multicultural learning communities.
Theoretical and practical considerations in the design of an intercultural communication course
Authors: Hsieh Teresa Yi-jung
Published: July 2019

The aim of this article is to highlight theoretical and practical considerations in design of an intercultural communication course. The first part of the article considers intercultural competence, and uses Bourdieu’s notions of education to frame the design of an intercultural communication course. This is followed by discussion of general principles of intercultural course design; the concepts of backward design and constructive alignment as they relate to an intercultural communication course; and finally, the importance of including active and collaborative learning/teaching activities within course design. The remainder of the article draws on a case study of an existing Australian undergraduate course in intercultural communication to highlight how this course may be redesigned in line with the pedagogical principles discussed in the first part of the article.
Conceptualizing language, culture and intercultural
communication in higher education languages programs
Authors: Moore Paul J. , Díaz Adriana
Published: July 2019

Languages curricula are an important, yet underutilized, site
for students’ development of intercultural knowledge, awareness and skills in
higher education, though there has been little related empirical research. Given
the key role teachers play in student learning, in the context of two Australian
universities, this study explores language teaching academics’ perspectives on
language, culture and intercultural communication, and how these are reflected
in their teaching approaches. As part of a larger needs analysis project into
the teaching of languages and intercultural communication, this article reports
on semi-structured interviews with ten academic staff engaged in teaching and/or
researching languages, and one study abroad coordinator with a language teaching
background. Interpretations of the key concepts varied, as did participants’
reported approaches to teaching, from critical to instrumental. Teachers’
interpretations and approaches were influenced by their teaching and learning
histories, and while there were a range of approaches to the incorporation of
the (inter)cultural in the teaching of languages, this was approached more
critically than reported in previous studies. Contextual features which may
limit such integration of language and culture are discussed, as is the
contribution of languages teachers to students’ development of intercultural
competence.
Decentralized fuzzy linguistic control of multiple robotic manipulators with guaranteed global
stability
Authors: Fan Yongqing , Wang Wenqing , Jiang Xiangkui , Li Zhen
Published: July 2019

A decentralized adaptive control based on human linguistic is investigated to learn human behaviors for multiple
robotic manipulators. Many experts’ words or sentences can be transferred into the control actions by employing membership
functions in robot systems, which can be synthesized fuzzy controller by employing reasoning mechanism. For the unknown model
dynamical robot manipulators, one adjustable parameter that relates to the approximation accuracy of fuzzy logic systems is
introduced at first, which be utilized to deal with the unknown dynamics of robot manipulators. Switching fuzzy adaptive
controller is designed to overcome the limitation of logic structure that the number of adaptive laws only focus on fuzzy rules in
conventional fuzzy logic systems. Another advantage of this design method is that the control with human linguistic extend the
semi-global stability to global stability. Finally, effectiveness of the developed control design scheme has been shown in
simulation example.
Human-robot collaboration for surface treatment tasks
Authors: Gracia Luis , Solanes J. Ernesto , Muñoz-Benavent Pau , Miro Jaime Valls , Perez-Vidal Carlos , Tornero Josep
Published: July 2019

This paper presents a human-robot closely collaborative solution to cooperatively perform surface treatment tasks
such as polishing, grinding, finishing, deburring, etc. The proposed scheme is based on task priority and non-conventional sliding
mode control. Furthermore, the proposal includes two force sensors attached to the manipulator end-effector and tool: one sensor
is used to properly accomplish the surface treatment task, while the second one is used by the operator to guide the robot tool.
The applicability and feasibility of the proposed collaborative solution for robotic surface treatment are substantiated by
experimental results using a redundant 7R manipulator: the Sawyer collaborative robot.
An improved measurement variable estimation model for positioning mobile robot
Authors: Qu Junsuo , Hou Leichao , Zhang Ruijun , Zhang Zhiwei , Zhang Qipeng , Ting Kaiming
Published: July 2019

The localization and navigation technology are the key factors in the research of mobile robots. With the demand
of smart manufacturing industry and the development of robotics technology, the importance of mobile robot has become increasingly
prominent. Mobile robot positioning research is mostly based on odometry, however, it has cumulative errors that would affect the
accuracy of positioning results.

This paper describes an improved measurement model that suitable from 0° to 180° and used this model in the
Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) and Unscented Kalman Filter(UKF) time update step respectively, the method can address the
interference of kinematics model predicted position and heading angle, both of them are easily disturbed by noises and other
factors. Designing a tracked mobile robot as experimental platform to collect the raw data, conducting experimental research
including the performance of hardware platform and autonomous obstacle avoidance, the real-time and stability of remote data
interaction, and the accuracy of optimal pose estimation. The simulation results have been verified the accuracy of the improved
measurement model applied to UKF.
Passenger flow forecast for customized bus based on time series fuzzy clustering algorithm
Authors: Li Ming , Wang Linlin , Yang Jingfeng , Zhang Zhenkun , Zhang Nanfeng , Xiang Yifei , Zhou Handong
Published: July 2019

Customized bus services are conducive to improving urban traffic and environment, and have attracted widespread attention. However, the problems encountered in the new customized bus mode include the large difference between the basis of customized bus passenger flow data analysis and the basis of the traditional bus passenger flow data analysis, and the difficulty in different vehicle scheduling caused by the combination of traditional and customized bus modes. We propose a customized bus passenger flow analysis algorithm and multi-destination customized bus line capacity scheduling algorithm, and display them in an intuitive way. The experimental results show that the algorithm model established in this paper can basically meet the data requirements of operation and management, and can provide decision support for customized bus line planning.
Online moral struggles in hosting immigrant’s discourses
Authors: D’Errico Francesca , Paciello Marinella
Published: July 2019

The present study aims to help better understand the cognitive and affective processes at work in ‘moral struggles’ concerning discussions about hosting immigrants. In particular, it will focus on the prosocial aspect of the debate on hosting of immigrants since previous studies have stressed mainly its racist nature. To this end, a total of 12,583 comments were extracted from the Facebook page of an Italian singer, divided into prosocial and proself stances, and analysed by developing a specific coding based on the theory of helping behaviour in emergency (Darley and Latané 1968) and the theory of moral agency (Bandura 1991). Prosocial processes were defined on the basis of the following ‘loci’: recipients, behaviour, consequences and agency. In parallel the comments were analysed by emotional coding to identify the levels of expressed anger. The results showed a wide variety of prosocial stances associated with these loci in online arguments within real sentences. Prosocial commenters can use words as weapons toward proself commenters to win their ‘crusade’ when they are flamed, and they are ‘cold’ when they focus on recipient and consequences. Finally, results suggested that a dialogue between prosocial and proself positions can occur in the presence of a moderate level of anger.