bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Affective and Attentional States When Running in a Virtual Reality Environment
Authors: Neumann David , Moffitt Robyn
Published: July 2018

Engaging in physical exercise in a virtual reality (VR) environment has been reported to improve physical effort and affective states. However, these conclusions might be influenced by experimental design factors, such as comparing VR environments against a non-VR environment without actively controlling for the presence of visual input in non-VR conditions. The present study addressed this issue to examine affective and attentional states in a virtual running task. Participants (n = 40), completed a 21 min run on a treadmill at 70% of Vmax. One group of participants ran in a computer-generated VR environment that included other virtual runners while another group ran while viewing neutral images. Participants in both conditions showed a pattern of reduced positive affect and increased tension during the run with a return to high positive affect after the run. In the VR condition, higher levels of immersive tendencies and attention/absorption in the virtual environment were associated with more positive affect after the run. In addition, participants in the VR condition focused attention more on external task-relevant stimuli and less to internal states than participants in the neutral images condition. However, the neutral images condition produced less negative affect and more enjoyment after the run than the VR condition. The finding suggest that the effects of exercising in a VR environment will depend on individual difference factors (e.g., attention/absorption in the virtual world) but it may not always be better than distracting attention away from exercise-related cues.
The Secret to Getting Ahead Is Getting Started: Early Impacts of a Rural Development Project
Authors: Peralta Alexandra , Swinton Scott M. , Jin Songqing
Published: July 2018

Interventions in rural development projects vary in their likely time to impact. Some offer rapid payoffs after minimal learning and investment, while others offer larger payoffs but entail delays and may require learning or significant investment of labor and capital. Short-term impacts included reductions in stored grain losses due to improved silos and increase in household savings due to increased participation in savings groups. The least poor are most likely to invest labor and capital in slow-to-accrue payoffs like soil erosion abatement from building conservation structures. Our results suggest that targeting project interventions by asset level can enhance impacts.
Study on the Learning Effectiveness of Stanford Design Thinking in Integrated Design Education
Authors: Tu Jui-Che , Liu Li-Xia , Wu Kuan-Yi
Published: July 2018

Due to industrial demand and the influence of government policies, the number of design colleges and students specializing in design in Taiwan has been increasing year by year. As a result, the topics on design education have gained great attention. To adapt to the rapidly-changing society, training that is designed to strengthen the professionalism and integration ability of those design majors should also be adjusted. Unlike traditional teaching methods, Stanford Design Thinking is a people-oriented problem-solving method. Proceeding from human needs, it offers creative solutions to various topics. Placing emphasis on integrated team communication and the cooperation and exchange among interdisciplinary talents, it is a new teaching model in response to the changes to the design environment. In this study, Stanford Design Thinking was introduced to the integrated design curriculum education as a creativity teaching strategy, and the action research method was adopted to explore the learning effectiveness of the design thinking method. According to the findings, the design thinking method can improve teaching; it can promote student participation through interview training in class during the Empathize stage; it offers substantial assistance to students in actual interviews; it reveals information about the demands of target groups, deepens students’ discussions on design-related topics, and creates a favorable atmosphere for teaching; it fosters a positive interaction between students and teachers and makes students more attentive in class. Inspired by this teaching method, students can independently seek product-testing objects to review their design concepts and develop a stronger motivation for self-learning.
Latecomers to the Fossil Energy Transition, Frontrunners for Change? The Relevance of the Energy ‘Underdogs’ for Sustainability Transformations
Authors: Schaffartzik Anke , Fischer-Kowalski Marina
Published: July 2018

The global energy system subsumes both extreme wealth (and waste) and extreme poverty. A minority of the global population is consuming the majority of the fossil fuel-based energy and causing global warming. While the mature industrialized economies maintain their high levels of energy consumption, the emerging economies are rapidly expanding their fossil energy systems, emulating traditional patterns of industrialization. We take a global, socio-metabolic perspective on the energy transition phases—take-off, maturation, and completion—of 142 countries between 1971 and 2015. Even within our global fossil energy system, the transition to fossil energy is still ongoing; many countries are in the process of replacing renewable energy with fossil energy. However, due to globally limited supplies and sinks, continuing the fossil energy transition is not an indefinite option. Rather than a “Big Push” for renewable energy within pockets of the fossil energy system, a sustainability transformation is required that would change far more than patterns of energy supply and use. Where this far-reaching change requires pushing back against the fossil energy system, the energy underdogs—the latecomers to the fossil energy transition—just might come out on top.
Application of Copula Functions for Rainfall Interception Modelling
Authors: Bezak Nejc , Zabret Katarina , Šraj Mojca
Published: July 2018

Rainfall interception is an important process of the water cycle that can have significant influence on surface runoff and groundwater storage. Since rainfall interception measurements are rare and time consuming, rainfall interception estimation can be made indirectly using different meteorological variables. Experimental data of rainfall interception for birch and pine trees was measured at an experimental plot located in an urban area of Ljubljana, Slovenia in this study. A copula model was applied to predict the rainfall interception using meteorological variables, namely air temperature and vapour pressure deficit data. The copula model performance was compared to some other models such as decision trees, multiple linear regressions, and exponential functions. Using random sampling, we found that the copula model where Khoudraji-Liebscher copula functions were used yielded slightly smaller root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) values than other tested methods (i.e., RMSE and MAE results for birch trees were 24.2% and 18.2%, respectively and RMSE and MAE results for pine trees were 25.0% and 19.6%, respectively). The results demonstrate that the copula-based proposed method and other tested models could be used for the prediction of rainfall interception at the considered plot and in the wider surroundings. Furthermore, these models could also be applied for the prediction of rainfall interception for these two tree species in other locations under similar vegetation and meteorological conditions.
Confidence Regions for Multivariate Quantiles
Authors: Coblenz Maximilian , Dyckerhoff Rainer , Grothe Oliver
Published: July 2018

Multivariate quantiles are of increasing importance in applications of hydrology. This calls for reliable methods to evaluate the precision of the estimated quantile sets. Therefore, we focus on two recently developed approaches to estimate confidence regions for level sets and extend them to provide confidence regions for multivariate quantiles based on copulas. In a simulation study, we check coverage probabilities of the employed approaches. In particular, we focus on small sample sizes. One approach shows reasonable coverage probabilities and the second one obtains mixed results. Not only the bounded copula domain but also the additional estimation of the quantile level pose some problems. A small sample application gives further insight into the employed techniques.
Two Hyperbolic Baldheads in the Solar System: 2017 U7 and 2018 C2
Authors: Hui 許文 Man-To 韜
Published: July 2018

We present a study of two newly discovered heliocentric hyperbolic objects—2017 U7 and 2018 C2. Both are possibly thermally evolved comets. Observations of the latter in 2018 March from Xingming Observatory revealed that it has a color similar to those of the long-period comets, Trojans, and D-type asteroids: m

B
− m

V
= 0.75 ± 0.03, m

V
− m

R
= 0.41 ± 0.02, and m

R
− m

I
= 0.37 ± 0.03. A possible extremely faint coma of ∼9″ across was observed. The radial profile of 2018 C2 in comparison with those of the field stars helps confirm its cometary nature. Based on our convolution model, its mass-loss rate is estimated to be 0.7 ± 0.2 kg s−1. Assuming geometric albedo p

R
= 0.04, its effective radius is 4.4 ± 0.5 km, which means that the fraction of active area is merely ∼10−5–10−4. Our N-body dynamical simulations show that both objects are most likely dynamically old members from the Oort cloud. 2017 U7 has a ∼60% chance to escape the solar system in the 1.5 Myr following its current perihelion passage due to a moderate close encounter with Jupiter in 2020 May. On the condition that no disintegration occurs, 2018 C2 will revisit the inner solar system 0.13–0.14 Myr later, with perihelion distance ∼2 au.
The Many-faceted Light Curves of Young Disk-bearing Stars in Upper Sco –– Oph Observed by K2 Campaign 2
Authors: Cody Ann Marie , Hillenbrand Lynne A.
Published: July 2018

The K2 Mission has photometrically monitored thousands of stars at high precision and cadence in a series of ∼80-day campaigns focused on sections of the ecliptic plane. During its second campaign, K2 targeted over 1000 young stellar objects (YSOs) in the ∼1–3 Myr ρ Ophiuchus and 5–10 Myr Upper Scorpius regions. From this set, we have carefully vetted photometry from WISE and Spitzer to identify those YSOs with infrared excess indicative of primordial circumstellar disks. We present here the resulting comprehensive sample of 288 young disk-bearing stars from B through M spectral types and analysis of their associated K2 light curves. Using statistics of periodicity and symmetry, we categorize each light curve into eight different variability classes, notably including “dippers” (fading events), “bursters” (brightening events), stochastic, and quasi-periodic types. Nearly all (96%) of disk-bearing YSOs are identified as variable at 30-minute cadence with the sub-1% precision of K2. Combining our variability classifications with (circum)stellar properties, we find that the bursters, stochastic sources, and the largest amplitude quasi-periodic stars have larger infrared colors, and hence stronger circumstellar disks. They also tend to have larger Hα equivalent widths, indicative of higher accretion rates. The dippers, on the other hand, cluster toward moderate infrared colors and low Hα. Using resolved disk observations, we further find that the latter favor high inclinations, except for a few notable exceptions with close to face-on disks. These observations support the idea that YSO time-domain properties are dependent on several factors, including accretion rate and view angle.
Characterizing K2 Candidate Planetary Systems Orbiting Low-mass Stars. III. A High Mass and Low Envelope Fraction for the Warm Neptune K2-55b*
Authors: Dressing Courtney D. , Sinukoff Evan , Fulton Benjamin J. , Lopez Eric D. , Beichman Charles A. , Howard Andrew W. , Knutson Heather A. , Werner Michael , Benneke Björn , Crossfield Ian J. M. , Isaacson Howard , Krick Jessica , Gorjian Varoujan , Livingston John , Petigura Erik A. , Schlieder Joshua E. , Akeson Rachel L. , Batygin Konstantin , Christiansen Jessie L. , Ciardi David R. , Crepp Justin R. , Gonzales Erica J. , Hardegree-Ullman Kevin , Hirsch Lea A. , Kosiarek Molly , Weiss Lauren M.
Published: July 2018

K2-55b is a Neptune-sized planet orbiting a K7 dwarf with a radius of

, a mass of 0.688 ± 0.069

, and an effective temperature of

K. Having characterized the host star using near-infrared spectra obtained at IRTF/SpeX, we observed a transit of K2-55b with Spitzer/Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) and confirmed the accuracy of the original K2 ephemeris for future follow-up transit observations. Performing a joint fit to the Spitzer/IRAC and K2 photometry, we found a planet radius of

, an orbital period of

days, and an equilibrium temperature of roughly 900 K. We then measured the planet mass by acquiring 12 radial velocity (RV) measurements of the system using the High Resolution Echelle Spectrometer on the 10 m Keck I Telescope. Our RV data set precisely constrains the mass of K2-55b to

, indicating that K2-55b has a bulk density of

g cm−3 and can be modeled as a rocky planet capped by a modest H/He envelope (M
envelope = 12 ± 3% M

p
). K2-55b is denser than most similarly sized planets, raising the question of whether the high planetary bulk density of K2-55b could be attributed to the high metallicity of K2-55. The absence of a substantial volatile envelope despite the high mass of K2-55b poses a challenge to current theories of gas giant formation. We posit that K2-55b may have escaped runaway accretion by migration, late formation, or inefficient core accretion, or that K2-55b was stripped of its envelope by a late giant impact.
A Multiline Study of a High-mass Young Stellar Object in the Small Magellanic Cloud with ALMA: The Detection of Methanol Gas at 0.2 Solar Metallicity
Authors: Shimonishi Takashi , Watanabe Yoshimasa , Nishimura Yuri , Aikawa Yuri , Yamamoto Satoshi , Onaka Takashi , Sakai Nami , Kawamura Akiko
Published: July 2018

We report the results of subparsec-scale submillimeter observations toward an embedded high-mass young stellar object in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) with ALMA. Complementary infrared data obtained with the AKARI satellite and the Gemini South telescope are also presented. The target infrared point source is spatially resolved into two dense molecular cloud cores; one is associated with a high-mass young stellar object (YSO core), while another is not associated with an infrared source (East core). The two cores are dynamically associated but show different chemical characteristics. Emission lines of CS, C33S, H2CS, SO, SO2, CH3OH, H13CO+, H13CN, SiO, and dust continuum are detected from the observed region. Tentative detection of HDS is also reported. The first detection of CH3OH in the SMC has a strong impact on our understanding of the formation of complex organic molecules in metal-poor environments. The gas temperature is estimated to be ∼10 K based on the rotation analysis of CH3OH lines. The fractional abundance of CH3OH gas in the East core is estimated to be (0.5–1.5) × 10−8, which is comparable to or marginally higher than those of similar cold sources in our Galaxy despite a factor of five lower metallicity in the SMC. This work provides observational evidence that an organic molecule like CH3OH, which is largely formed on grain surfaces, can be produced even in a significantly lower metallicity environment compared to the solar neighborhood. A possible origin of cold CH3OH gas in the observed dense core is discussed.
Self-sustaining Star Formation Fronts in Filaments during the Cosmic Dawn
Authors: Wang Xiawei , Loeb Abraham
Published: July 2018

We propose a new model for the ignition of star formation in low-mass halos by a self-sustaining shock front in cosmic filaments at high redshifts. The gaseous fuel for star formation resides in low-mass halos that cannot cool on their own due to their primordial composition and low virial temperatures. We show that star formation can be triggered in these filaments by a passing shock wave. The shells swept up by the shock cool and fragment into cold clumps that form massive stars via thermal instability on a timescale shorter than the front’s dynamical timescale. The shock, in turn, is self-sustained by energy injection from supernova explosions. The star formation front is analogous to a detonation wave, which drives exothermic reactions powering the shock. We find that sustained star formation would typically propel the front to a speed of ∼300–700 km s−1 during the epoch of reionization. Future observations by the James Webb Space Telescope could reveal the illuminated regions of cosmic filaments, and constrain the initial mass function of stars in them.
Héritiers, aristocrates d’entreprise et « méritocrates » : l’espace social du grand patronat en Inde
Authors: Naudet Jules , Allorant Adrien , Ferry Mathieu
Published: July 2018

Cet article présente une analyse de l’espace social des présidents et directeurs généraux des 100 plus importantes entreprises indiennes en 2012, en mobilisant une analyse des correspondances multiples (ACM). L’analyse vise à comprendre les divisions internes au champ du pouvoir économique, en examinant les clivages en termes de capital scolaire, de capital hérité (capital familial), de capital social (en tirant partie d’une analyse de réseau de l’imbrication des conseils de direction des 250 plus grandes entreprises) et de la caste. Nos résultats révèlent une structuration très particulière de ce champ économique : le crédentialisme a une influence très faible, il existe un clivage net et massif entre les propriétaires et les managers du capital, le capital social joue un poids déterminant et les acteurs les plus proches de l’appareil d’État occupent un rôle marginal. Nous identifions trois pôles parmi les dirigeants d’entreprise : les capitalistes familiaux multipositionnels, les capitalistes familiaux unipositionnels et la galaxie managériale.
Industrial development strategies in the United Arab Emirates
Authors: Guéraiche William
Published: July 2018

Lorsque les Émirats Arabes Unis (EAU) furent créés en 1971, le gouvernement fédéral accordait peu d’attention à l’industrie. En dehors des hydrocarbures (pétrole et gaz) dont l’exploitation s’effectuait principalement à Abou Dhabi, les sept Émirats n’avaient pas d’autres ressources naturelles. D’autres facteurs contribuaient à la subordination du développement industriel : une très faible population ayant pour conséquences une absence de main-d’œuvre disponible pour travailler dans des usines et un marché intérieur limité, des recettes pétrolières qui engendraient une mentalité d’État rentier. Cependant une minorité d’Émiratis et des Arabes vivant déjà aux EAU s’était engagée dans les affaires. Elle appelait à la prévoyance du gouvernement fédéral et du gouvernement d’Abou Dhabi en vue de préférer l’autonomie industrielle à la dépendance extérieure. Les deux décennies qui suivirent l’indépendance ont montré le rôle prépondérant de Dubaï dans l’industrialisation des EAU. Au-delà du choix stratégique de diversifier les activités économiques, l’Émirat, à savoir d’abord la famille Maktoum, a ouvert les esprits à la modernité et les a préparés à une stratégie pour la survie. La sécurité n’a pas été conçue comme la mobilisation de la production locale pour satisfaire des besoins domestiques, mais plutôt comme la capacité de produire assez de richesse pour soutenir la croissance économique et démographique à long terme. Dans une certaine mesure, le modèle japonais a influencé Dubaï et les EAU plus que les vieux pays européens ou nord-américains industrialisés.
Service Management as a Means to Organizational Assimilation of ICT: A Case Study
Authors: Osorno Hinojosa Roberto , González Sabaté Lucinio , Olivé i Tomàs Antoni
Published: July 2018

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is essential in the development and competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Its assimilation for better use appears as a recurring theme in the academic literature. Learning has been identified as a means of assimilating ICT in organizations. Learning and intensive knowledge exchange are components of service, according to Service Dominant Logic (S-D logic). The goal of our work is to understand how an organization learns to use ICT in an environment influenced by service management. To accomplish this, we present a case study of a Mexican SME, which has applied service management principles and shows ICT assimilation based on learning processes. The contribution of our research is the identification of service factors, which may be related to the reduction of learning barriers. The identified relationship has allowed us to propose an organizational intervention model that helps ICT assimilation in SMEs.
Growth Strategies for Law Firms
Authors: Ketelhöhn Niels , Martínez Argüello Octavio
Published: July 2018

Law firms that grow intensively can experience problems maintaining strategic focus, structural alignment and personnel balance.  This article proposes a process through which management can plan a law firm´s future, by defining a strategy and choosing a growth avenue. We describe four growth strategies and use benchmarks of a sample of 150 law firms stemming from all Latin America to describe the typical leverage and growth levels found in the region.
Implementing a Nurse-Driven Protocol to Reduce Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections in a Long-Term Acute Care Hospital
Authors: Zurmehly Joyce
Published: July 2018

Background:

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the second most common health care-associated infection. CAUTIs represent a serious threat to chronic critically ill patients in long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs). Evidence-based guidelines have been shown to reduce the risk of infection in acute care settings but are not well documented in LTACHs.

Method:

An evidence-based urinary catheter protocol was developed and implemented across three units in a large LTACH. RNs were oriented to the new protocol through online educational modules. During the evaluation period, 120 patients were admitted with a urinary catheter who qualified for chart review for CAUTI incidence. Overall catheter-days and CAUTI rates were compared, and changes in practice were noted.

Results:

After the education intervention, overall urinary catheter-days decreased by 10.1%, and CAUTI incidence decreased by 74% (4.82 CAUTI per 1,000 patient-days to 1.24). The absolute risk reduction was 3.58 infections per 1,000 catheter-days. The findings were statistically significant (
z
= 1.00,
p
< .03).

Conclusion:

Significant reductions were noted in total catheter-days, and CAUTI rates improved after implementation of an education program and an evidence-based urinary catheter protocol in an LTACH.

J Contin Educ Nurs
. 2018;49(8):372–377.
Standardization of Acrylic Bone Cement Mixing Protocols for Total Knee Arthroplasty Results in Cost Savings
Authors: Kee James R. , Mears Simon C. , Edwards Paul K. , Bushmiaer Marty , Barnes C. Lowry
Published: July 2018

Cost reduction is important in total joint replacement surgery. Bone cement is used to fixate implants in most knee replacement procedures. The authors instituted a 4-pronged approach to reduce the cost of cement. Their approach included reducing the cost of the cement powder, changing the type of mixing method, using less antibiotic cement, and decreasing the amount of cement required for smaller implants. The authors evaluated the implementation of this program and measured the overall costs of cementation during knee replacement. A retrospective review of total knee replacement cementation technique and cost was performed before and after the cost-reduction program was implemented. The type of cement and cement mixing equipment used, the amount of cement used, and the cost of cement and cement mixing equipment were examined. The authors also reported the short-term complication rate including 90-day readmission rate and 30-day revision rate. The program resulted in an overall decrease in cement-related costs from approximately $310 to $105 per case. Reductions in the amount of cement used and the use of antibiotic cement were shown. Among the 3 surgeons, adoption of the program varied. Bone cement is an expense of modern total knee replacement. Implementing a cost-reduction program can reduce cement costs without changing quality of cementation. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(5):e671–e675.]
An Abbreviated Scale for the Assessment of Skeletal Bone Age Using Radiographs of the Knee
Authors: Tang Xin , Lu Yubo , Pang Mingfan , Nhan Derek T. , Klyce Walter , Fritz Jan , Lee R. Jay
Published: July 2018

Hand and wrist radiographs are the most common means for estimating skeletal bone age. There is no widely used scale for estimating skeletal bone age using knee radiographs. Do skeletal bone age estimates from knee-maturity scales correlate sufficiently with both chronologic age and estimates from a hand-wrist scale to potentially substitute for estimates from the latter? The authors reviewed the records of 503 patients 6 to 19 years old who had hand and knee radiographs obtained within 30 days of each other. They analyzed radiographs using the O'Connor knee scale (based on 10 maturation markers) and a new, abbreviated version of the O'Connor scale (based on 7 markers). The authors also analyzed radiographs of the hands of boys 12.5 to 16 years old and girls 10 to 16 years old using the shorthand method. Multivariate linear regression was used for analysis. Inter- and intrarater reliabilities were assessed. Skeletal bone age derived from the O'Connor and abbreviated knee scales correlated with chronologic age (adjusted
R
2
=0.88 and 0.90, respectively). Compared with estimates from the hand-wrist scale, estimates were lower by a mean of 0.91 years for boys and 0.38 years for girls when using the O'Connor scale and 0.96 years for boys and 0.52 years for girls when using the abbreviated scale. Inter- and intrarater reliabilities were very good (κ=0.82 and 0.90, respectively) and were substantial at each bony landmark measured. Knee radiographs can be used to estimate skeletal bone age using an abbreviated knee scale. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(5):e676–e680.]
Results and Outcomes After Midshaft Clavicle Fracture: Matched Pair Analysis of Operative Versus Nonoperative Management
Authors: Napora Joshua K. , Grimberg Dominic C. , Childs Benjamin R. , Vallier Heather A.
Published: July 2018

This study evaluated patients with displaced clavicle fractures treated surgically vs nonoperatively. The authors hypothesized that functional outcomes would be no different. A retrospective comparative study was performed of 138 patients with closed midshaft clavicle fractures. Sixty-nine patients were treated operatively and matched for sex, age, and fracture pattern to 69 patients treated nonoperatively. Charts and radiographs were reviewed, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons survey was administered. A poor outcome was defined as a treatment complication or an American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score less than 60. There were 116 men and 22 women with a mean age of 37.7 years and fracture patterns of 15B-1 (n=78), 15B-2 (n=48), and 15B-3 (n=12). Thirty-seven percent were tobacco smokers, with 23 treated operatively and 28 nonoperatively. Ten (14.5%) initially nonoperative patients underwent plate fixation at a mean of 25.9 weeks (range, 7–48 weeks) because of persistent pain and motion at the fracture site. Fifteen (21.7%) of the 69 patients treated acutely with surgery had 16 complications, which resulted in secondary procedures in 11 patients (15.9%). Overall, poor outcomes occurred in 21 (30.4%) of 69 after fixation and in 19 (27.5%) of 69 in the nonoperative group. Unemployment (
P
=.05) and tobacco use (
P
=.03) were associated with poor outcome, irrespective of type of treatment. Initial nonoperative treatment presents a reasonable option for many patients. No differences in complications or poor outcomes were noted for surgical vs nonoperative treatment. Social factors proved to be greater predictors of outcome than other patient or injury features. Management of clavicle fractures should be individualized with assessment of patient expectations and activity level. Social factors should also be considered. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(5):e689–e694.]
Safety and Effectiveness of Talus Subchondroplasty and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate for the Treatment of Osteochondral Defects of the Talus
Authors: Chan Jimmy J. , Guzman Javier Z. , Vargas Luilly , Myerson Charles L. , Chan Jesse , Vulcano Ettore
Published: July 2018

Eleven patients with symptomatic talus osteochondral defects who underwent subchondroplasty with bone marrow aspirate concentrate injection were retrospectively reviewed. Foot and Ankle Outcome Score and visual analog scale pain score were recorded preoperatively and at the 1-year postoperative visit. The mean osteochondral defect size was 1.3×1.4 cm. The weight-bearing visual analog scale pain score improved from a mean of 7.8 to 1.8, and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score improved from a mean of 67.1 to 89.6. At 1-year follow-up, 10 patients reported they would have the procedure again. Subchondroplasty and bone marrow aspirate concentrate injection offered good pain relief for talus osteochondral defects. The procedure allows immediate weight bearing postoperatively and does not compromise future treatments. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(5):e734–e737.]
Device Protocol Design for Security on Internet of Things based Smart Home
Authors: Adiono Trio , Tandiawan Bryan , Fuada Syifaul
Published: July 2018

One of the major challenges that arise in the internet of things (IoT) based smart home systems is security issue. It is still relatively low in which the exchange of data between devices can easily be stolen by outsiders since it is connected to the internet. In this work, we present the details of the protocol messages in smart home appliances that are encrypted by RSA algorithm and AES in which the RSA key was regenerated in every turnover of the day (exactly at 00:00:00 or 1 x 24 hours) since the last key generation by mobile. The performance test is done by sending an error command and a correct command to the RGB lamp device. The results show that the designed protocol works well as expected. Given the security mechanism in the designed protocol, data exchange between devices in the smart home will be hard to break by outsiders. Thus, the users can enjoy their smart home privacy without worrying the intruders (hacker).
Damage Detection in a Plate Structure based on FBG sensing Technique under a Single-Mode Lamb Wave
Authors: Li Cai , Xiao Hunag , Xiaoqiong Zuo
Published: July 2018

Lamb wave is widely acknowledged as one of the most encouraging tools for damage identification in plate structures, and relevant research has been conducted intensively. However Lamb wave modes have different wave structure, frequency dispersion and attenuation characteristics, which are sensitivity to different types of damages and it is difficult to solve such engineering problems by conventional techniques. Although the single pattern detection method has been researched by piezoelectric wafers, there is little research about FBG sensing detection under single-mode ultrasonic Lamb wave technique currently. So this paper puts forward a single-mode Lamb wave technique for crack detection based on Fiber Bragg Grating sensor, which is used to receive the waves in the plate. First of all, measuring principle of single-mode ultrasonic Lamb technique and demodulation principle of the FBG sensor are introduced. And simulation analysis in the acoustic field is devoted, whose results lay the foundation for the damage detection in the plate. Then, the experimental system is built by a single-mode Lamb wave excitation, and the feasibility of fiber Bragg grating sensors in single-mode excitation method is verified by experiments.
Probabilistical Robust Power Control for Cognitive Radio Networks under Interference Uncertainty Conditions
Authors: Chen Lingling , Fang Zhiyi , Zhao Xiaohui
Published: July 2018

The focus of this paper is to find a robust power control strategy with uncertain noise plus interference (NI) in cognitive radio networks (CRNs)in an under orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) framework. The optimization problem is formulated to maximize the data rate of secondary users (SUs) under the constraints of transmission power of each SU, probabilistic the transmit rate of each SU at each subcarrier and robust interference constraint of primary user. In consideration of the feedback errors from the quantization due to uniform distribution, the probabilistic constraint is transformed into closed forms. By using Lagrange relaxation of the coupling constraints method and subgradient iterative algorithm in a distributed way, we solve this dual problem. Numerical simulation results show that our proposed algorithm is superior to the robust power control scheme based on interference gain worst case approach and non-robust algorithm without quantization error in perfect channels in the improvement of data rate of each SU, convergence speed and computational complexity.
Design of an AC Servo Controller for a Dynamic Simulation Test System for Hydraulic Excavators Based on a System-on-chip Architecture
Authors: Bo Yu , Chunbo Xu , Ruibo Qiao
Published: July 2018

The AC servo system of hydraulic excavator dynamic simulation test system is studied in this paper.The AC servo controller based on C8051F410 on-chip system is designed in this paper. The dynamic characteristics of AC servo are tested and the fault treatment measures of AC servo controller are improved. Comparison between traditional PID and improved PID algorithm in AC Servo Controller by dynamic Simulation Test system, the improved PID algorithm suitable for dynamic simulation test system is obtained, and the response characteristics of the improved PID algorithm to AC servo system are tested. At the same time, the reliability of AC servo controller is tested.
Advances in Extraction of Signal From Ground Motion Time Histories Using Time-Frequency Analysis
Authors: Devi Vaneeta , Sharma M. L.
Published: July 2018

Time-frequency representation and spectral features extraction from a digitally recorded ground motion time history of an earthquake is cornerstone in earthquake engineering signal processing and interpretation. Recently developed time-frequency analysis (TFA) techniques are one of the most suitable techniques for the spectral estimation of signals whose frequency content varies with time. The most often used TFA techniques are short-term Fourier transform, Gabor transform, wavelet transform, Wigner-Ville distribution, Choi-William distribution, and cone shape distribution. The spectrograms of TFA reveal better spectral estimation in time-frequency domain and hence recommended to estimate local frequencies, dominate frequency and their incident time. Moreover, the time of occurrence of frequency component corresponding to maximum energy burst as well as its variation with time can also be identified. Results obtained from TFA techniques shows better picture of the spectral content in the data than the other conventional techniques.
Numerical Simulation of Seismic Interaction of Pile Foundation and Structure
Authors: Emani Pavan Kumar , Patchamatla Janaki Rama Raju , Kothari Shashank , Kumar Ritesh , Phanikanth Vedula Srinivasa
Published: July 2018

Modeling a semi-infinite soil domain has always been a challenge, especially in problems where the interaction between the soil domain and structure domain is a dynamically responsive one, as in the case of seismic wave loading. Under such conditions, researchers used various strategies to simulate, both physically and numerically, the behavior of pile foundations under seismic loading. While describing the challenges and hitherto applied strategies, two comprehensive numerical studies are described: one at behavioral state in terms of inelastic response spectrum and the other at the limiting state of collapse.
Seismic Behavior and Dynamic Site Response of Municipal Solid Waste Landfill in India
Authors: Naveen B. P.  , Sitharam T. G.  , Sivapullaiah P. V.
Published: July 2018

Seismic behavior of landfills need for a better understanding of the dynamic properties of municipal solid waste (MSW) and site response of MSW landfill during seismic events. This chapter presents unit weight, shear wave velocity, strain-dependent normalized shear modulus reduction, and material damping ratio relationships for Mavallipura landfill based on field testing, laboratory measurements, and validated using semi-empirical methods. In addition, one-dimensional seismic response analysis by an equivalent linear method for Mavallipura landfill, Bangalore is done using software like SHAKE2000 and DEEPSOIL. Results indicated that the MSW landfill has less shear stiffness and more amplification due to the loose filling and damping, which need to be accounted for by seismically safe MSW landfill design in India. Also, results of seismic response analyses performed by the authors and other researchers are examined to assess the impact of stiffness and height of the landfill refuse fill on the overall response.
Corrosion Behavior of Incoloy 825 in High Temperature Vapor Containing Sodium Chloride
Authors: Yang Jian Qiao , Wang Shu Zhong , Wang Dong , Li Jian Na , Xu Dong Hai
Published: July 2018

Corrosion behavior of Incoloy 825 was studied in high temperature vapor with high concentration of NaCl. After 80 h exposure, a bi-layer structure was formed on sample surface after exposure. The outer layer is consisted of loose and large-grain oxides, and the inner layer is composed of fine-grain oxide. The whole layer was identified to be CrOOH/Fe3O4/Cr2O3/Incoloy 825 from outer to inner.
Graphene Oxide/MnO2 Composites Synthesized by "Quenching" for Supercapacitors with High Capacitance
Authors: Zhu Zhen Ye
Published: July 2018

Graphene Oxide (GO)/manganese oxide (MnO2) composites with different feeding ratio are synthesized by a simple and economic soft chemical route in a water-isopropyl alcohol under different cooling method. The SEM results show that MnO2 nanoparticle with smaller size (8nm) homogeneously coats on the surfaces of graphene oxide under quick ice quenching, and the better electrochemical properties is obtained. The composites with feeding ratio 1:9 have maximum capacitance value, because of agglomerate induced by too much MnO2. The specific capacitances calculated by galvanostatic charge/discharge curve were 312.87 F/g by ice water quenching and 253.12 F/g by reflux cooling to room temperature. The GO/MnO2 electrode retained about 85.12% (with quick ice quenching) and 88.16% (with reflux cooling) of initial capacitance after 1000 cycles, respectively.
Overlap Ratio in Wire- and Powder-Based Laser Metal Deposition of H11 + Nb for Hot Forging Dies
Authors: Teli Mahesh , Klocke Fritz , Arntz Kristian , Winands Kai , Klingbeil Nils , Arrizubieta Jon Iñaki
Published: July 2018

AISI H11 tool steel is a complex tool steel alloy used to manufacture hot forging dies. These dies however have a limited life, which depends upon the working conditions, the tool design, the heat treatment, and the quality of tool steels. In this paper, a novel wire-and powder-based laser metal deposition (WP-LMD) process was investigated to deposit H11 wire and niobium (Nb) powder simultaneously and develop a coating on existing forging dies for enhancing their life. The main aim was the development of a novel WP-LMD process, and consequently a new H11 tool steel with improved toughness and hardness. The developed WP-LMD process was later implemented to build a multilayer block made of the modified H11 tool steel. The overlap ratio was optimized in both, horizontal and vertical, directions, and were found to be 30% and 20% respectively in order to achieve a fully dense coating and avoid pores and unmelted Nb particles. The potential of the WP-LMD can be used to fabricate an outer layer of the modified H11 tool steel with improved toughness and hardness, which ultimately enhances the life of hot forging.
Development of Hybrid Composite Material of Palm Kernel Shell (PKS) and Periwinkle Shell (PS) Particles in Pure Aluminium Matrix
Authors: Ebhojiaye R.S. , Amiolemhen Patrick E. , Ibhadode Akii O. A.
Published: July 2018

Lightweight engineering materials that are strong, durable, wear and corrosion resistant are required nowadays in the field of engineering, especially in the automobile industry. This study was to develop a hybrid composite material of palm kernel shell (PKS) and periwinkle shell (PS) particles as reinforcements in pure aluminium matrix. The central composite design (CCD) of the response surface methodology (RSM) was used to carry out the design of experiment (DoE). Stir casting method was used to fabricate the specimens. The DoE gave 20 runs (experimental samples) which were replicated three times each, bringing the total number of runs to 60 for each of the six responses considered, and 360 specimens were fabricated in all. Three experimental values were obtained for each of the 120 runs for the wear rate, creep rate, density, tensile strength, hardness and melting temperature. The average values were determined and recorded. Control specimens with 100 wt. % pure aluminium matrix, 0 wt. % of PKS and PS reinforcement particles were prepared. The results showed that the reinforcement particles had significant improvement on mechanical properties of the pure aluminium.
Research of the Surface Treatment Process of Bonded NdFeB Magnet with Composite Powder Electrostatic Spraying
Authors: Xiao Kai Ye , Xu Hai , Guo Zhi Wei , Zheng Wen
Published: July 2018

Compared with the traditional air spraying technique and electroplate method, the coating defects of bonded NdFeB magnet, such as the workpiece hanging point, the pinhole, the bubble, have been solved by using the composite powder electrostatic spraying as surface treatment technology, along with the EE epoxy paint as primer coating and PU polyurethane paint as surface coating. The coating of this composite powder electrostatic spraying is uniform and compact, and the coating has strong adhesion and corrosion resistance. This paper gives a detailed introduction to the composite powder electrostatic spraying, including the choice of some important parameters and the unique hanging tools of composite powder electrostatic spraying.
Mechanical Properties of Fibre Reinforced Geopolymer Composites Exposed to Operating Fluids
Authors: Hron Robin , Kadlec Martin , Martaus František
Published: July 2018

Geopolymers are amorphous aluminosilicate materials which combine low temperature, polymer-like processing with high temperature stability and fire resistibility without toxic smoke generation. For larger expansion of geopolymer composites in aircraft industry, it is necessary to know how it behaves in contact with operating fluids. The specimens were divided into groups exposed to fuel, hydraulic oil, jet oil, and salt mist. Hot/Wet condition until saturation was also applied for one group. Mechanical testing was performed by means of tension, compression, in-plane shear, flexion and interlaminar shear on both reference non-treated and exposed specimens. The largest decrease in all measured strength values was caused by the salt mist. As the most significant, in-plane shear strength was decreased by 85 % by this environment. Operating fluids and hot/wet conditions decreased the shear strength approx. by 15 %. Geopolymer composites are an interesting alternative to existing polymeric and ceramic matrix materials and offers high potential for cost-efficient applications dealing with temperatures up to 1 200°C.
Migration Study of Antioxidant in Durian Rind Cellulose Reinforced Poly(Lactic Acid)(PLA) Biocomposites and its Effect on Oxidative Stability of Edible Oil
Authors: Penjumras Patpen , Rahman Russly Abdul , Thammakulkrajang Rarinthorn
Published: July 2018

The migration of antioxidants including α-tocopherol (AT) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) from durian rind cellulose reinforced poly (lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites into 95% ethanol and its effect on stability of edible oil were investigated. The biocomposites materials containing 5% w/w antioxidant were compounded using Brabender internal mixer followed by hot press machine and were then placed in contact with 95% ethanol at 27°C and 37°C. Released antioxidants were measured by UV-spectroscopy for 45 days. The material containing BHT generated the faster release than α-tocopherol. Both of antioxidants released at 37°C faster than 27°C. The faster release of antioxidant from each condition resulting inhibition of lipid oxidation. Oxidative stability of edible oil was investigated by monitoring of peroxide value (PV) of edible oil. The result was found that edible oil contact with biocompotises containing BHT showed lower PV compared to α-tocopherol during storage. Therefore, it can be summarized that BHT is suitable antioxidant to be used in active packaging application for edible oil.
Reception of Jesus as healer in Mark’s community
Authors: Dube Zorodzai
Published: July 2018

This study traces the manner in which the evangelist Mark presents Jesus as a healer. While this is the primary focus, I am also interested, from an identity perspective, in why Mark is keen to present Jesus as the best physician. Healers during the 1st century were varied. Cities had professional healers with great knowledge of the Greek Hippocratic tradition. The entire empire had famous temples of Asclepius and Apollo. Common people had diverse knowledge about various illnesses with remedies varying from herbs to exorcisms. Amidst all this and located in southern Syria in the northern regions of Galilee, Mark presents Jesus as a healer. The study concludes that Mark presents Jesus as an efficient healer with great power and authority. Though Mark is mute regarding other healers such as Asclepius and Apollo, near whose temples patients would sleep for days waiting for healing, he wants to remind the adherents of Jesus’ movement that they are following a great physician. A few selected stories from Mark’s gospel illustrate this argument.
The Talmud, the Hippocratic Corpus and Mark’s healing Jesus on infectious diseases
Authors: Dube Zorodzai
Published: July 2018

Through interacting with the sick, did Jesus contract infectious diseases or did he take preventive herbs to avoid them? During biblical times, infectious diseases were fatal. Diarrhoea, cough, pneumonia and skin diseases would quickly spread across villages or cities. Underscoring the seriousness with which prevention of infectious diseases was taken, 213 of the 613 biblical commandments concern hygiene. This study has two tasks: firstly, exploring the various techniques undertaken to avoid infectious diseases by looking at daily preventive hygienic activities. Secondly, given that Jesus was always in the company of sick crowds, the study re-describes Mark 1:4–45, where Jesus, after healing the leper, was forbidden from entering the city as indicative of fear against infectious diseases. Furthermore, the story (Mk 3:7–12) whereby Jesus requested a boat to create a gap between himself and the people is plausible from the perspective of infectious diseases.