bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE INNER EDGE OF THE HABITABLE ZONE FOR SYNCHRONOUSLY ROTATING PLANETS AROUND LOW-MASS STARS USING GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
Authors: Kopparapu Ravi kumar , Wolf Eric T. , Haqq-Misra Jacob , Yang Jun , Kasting James F. , Meadows Victoria , Terrien Ryan , Mahadevan Suvrath
Published: March 2016

Terrestrial planets at the inner edge of the habitable zone (HZ) of late-K and M-dwarf stars are expected to be in synchronous rotation, as a consequence of strong tidal interactions with their host stars. Previous global climate model (GCM) studies have shown that, for slowly rotating planets, strong convection at the substellar point can create optically thick water clouds, increasing the planetary albedo, and thus stabilizing the climate against a thermal runaway. However these studies did not use self-consistent orbital/rotational periods for synchronously rotating planets placed at different distances from the host star. Here we provide new estimates of the inner edge of the HZ for synchronously rotating terrestrial planets around late-K and M-dwarf stars using a 3D Earth-analog GCM with self-consistent relationships between stellar metallicity, stellar effective temperature, and the planetary orbital/rotational period. We find that both atmospheric dynamics and the efficacy of the substellar cloud deck are sensitive to the precise rotation rate of the planet. Around mid-to-late M-dwarf stars with low metallicity, planetary rotation rates at the inner edge of the HZ become faster, and the inner edge of the HZ is farther away from the host stars than in previous GCM studies. For an Earth-sized planet, the dynamical regime of the substellar clouds begins to transition as the rotation rate approaches ∼10 days. These faster rotation rates produce stronger zonal winds that encircle the planet and smear the substellar clouds around it, lowering the planetary albedo, and causing the onset of the water-vapor greenhouse climatic instability to occur at up to ∼25% lower incident stellar fluxes than found in previous GCM studies. For mid-to-late M-dwarf stars with high metallicity and for mid-K to early-M stars, we agree with previous studies.
SPIN–ORBIT ALIGNMENT OF EXOPLANET SYSTEMS: ENSEMBLE ANALYSIS USING ASTEROSEISMOLOGY
Authors: Campante T. L. , Lund M. N. , Kuszlewicz J. S. , Davies G. R. , Chaplin W. J. , Albrecht S. , Winn J. N. , Bedding T. R. , Benomar O. , Bossini D. , Handberg R. , Santos A. R. G. , Van Eylen V. , Basu S. , Christensen-Dalsgaard J. , Elsworth Y. P. , Hekker S. , Hirano T. , Huber D. , Karoff C. , Kjeldsen H. , Lundkvist M. S. , North T. S. H. , Silva Aguirre V. , Stello D. , White T. R.
Published: March 2016

The angle ψ between a planet’s orbital axis and the spin axis of its parent star is an important diagnostic of planet formation, migration, and tidal evolution. We seek empirical constraints on ψ by measuring the stellar inclination i
s via asteroseismology for an ensemble of 25 solar-type hosts observed with NASA’s Kepler satellite. Our results for i
s are consistent with alignment at the 2σ level for all stars in the sample, meaning that the system surrounding the red-giant star Kepler-56 remains as the only unambiguous misaligned multiple-planet system detected to date. The availability of a measurement of the projected spin–orbit angle λ for two of the systems allows us to estimate ψ. We find that the orbit of the hot Jupiter HAT-P-7b is likely to be retrograde (

), whereas that of Kepler-25c seems to be well aligned with the stellar spin axis (

). While the latter result is in apparent contradiction with a statement made previously in the literature that the multi-transiting system Kepler-25 is misaligned, we show that the results are consistent, given the large associated uncertainties. Finally, we perform a hierarchical Bayesian analysis based on the asteroseismic sample in order to recover the underlying distribution of ψ. The ensemble analysis suggests that the directions of the stellar spin and planetary orbital axes are correlated, as conveyed by a tendency of the host stars to display large values of inclination.
MIGRATION TRAPS IN DISKS AROUND SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES
Authors: Bellovary Jillian M. , Low Mordecai-Mark Mac , McKernan Barry , Ford K. E. Saavik
Published: March 2016

Accretion disks around supermassive black holes (SMBHs) in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) contain stars, stellar mass black holes, and other stellar remnants, which perturb the disk gas gravitationally. The resulting density perturbations exert torques on the embedded masses causing them to migrate through the disk in a manner analogous to planets in protoplanetary disks. We determine the strength and direction of these torques using an empirical analytic description dependent on local disk gradients, applied to two different analytic, steady-state disk models of SMBH accretion disks. We find that there are radii in such disks where the gas torque changes sign, trapping migrating objects. Our analysis shows that major migration traps generally occur where the disk surface density gradient changes sign from positive to negative, around 20–300R
g, where R
g = 2GM/c
2 is the Schwarzschild radius. At these traps, massive objects in the AGN disk can accumulate, collide, scatter, and accrete. Intermediate mass black hole formation is likely in these disk locations, which may lead to preferential gap and cavity creation at these radii. Our model thus has significant implications for SMBH growth as well as gravitational wave source populations.
Immunological mechanisms involved in probiotic-mediated protection against Citrobacter rodentium-induced colitis
Authors: Jiang Y. , Yang G. , Meng F. , Yang W. , Hu J. , Ye L. , Shi C. , Wang C.
Published: March 2016

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic, incurable inflammatory disorders of the gastrointestinal tract that cause severe diarrhoea, intestinal inflammation, pain, fatigue and weight loss. In this study, we first developed a model of Citrobacter rodentium-induced colitis and then evaluated the protective effects of selected probiotics on inflammation. The results showed that administration of a combination of probiotics including Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 53103, Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 and Lactobacillus plantarum A significantly increased the production of CD11c+ dendritic cells in the spleen (3.62% vs phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-treated control, P<0.01) and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs). In addition, the presence of probiotics significantly up-regulated the development of CD4+/CD25+/Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in MLNs by approximately 2.07% compared to the effect observed in the PBS-treated control (P<0.01) and down-regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-17, tumour necrosis factor-α and interferon-γ, by 0.11, 0.11 and 0.15%, respectively, compared to the effect observed in the PBS-treated control (P<0.01).These effects conferred protection against colitis, as shown by histopathological analyses.
Patulin production byPenicillium expansum isolates from apples during different steps of long-term storage
Authors: De Clercq N. , Vlaemynck G. , Van Pamel E. , Colman D. , Heyndrickx M. , Van Hove F. , De Meulenaer B. , Devlieghere F. , Van Coillie E.
Published: March 2016

Penicillium expansum is the principal cause of blue mould rot and associated production of patulin, a weak mycotoxin, in apples worldwide.P. expansum growth and patulin production is observed during improper or long-term storage of apples. We have investigated the extent to which each successive step during long-term storage contributes to patulin production in variousP. expansum isolates. Fungal isolates collected on apples from several Belgian orchards/industries were identified to species level. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis and β-tubulin gene sequencing identifiedP. expansum andPenicillium solitum as the most prevalentPenicillium species associated with Belgian apples. All 27P. expansum isolates and eight reference strains were characterised for their patulin production capacity on apple puree agar medium for five days under classical constant temperature and atmosphere conditions. Under these conditions, a large range of patulin production levels was observed. Based on this phenotypic diversity, fiveP. expansum isolates and one reference strain were selected forin vitro investigation of patulin production under representative conditions in each step of long-term apple storage. Patulin accumulation seemed highly strain dependent and no significant differences between the storage steps were observed. The results also indicated that a high spore inoculum may lead to a strong patulin accumulation even at cold temperatures (1 °C) combined with controlled atmosphere (CA) (3% O2, 1% CO2), suggesting that future control strategies may benefit from considering the duration of storage under CA conditions as well as duration of deck storage.
A quantitative UHPLC-MS/MS method for citrinin and ochratoxin A detection in food, feed and red yeast rice food supplements
Authors: Kiebooms J.A.L. , Huybrechts B. , Thiry C. , Tangni E.K. , Callebaut A.
Published: March 2016

Mycotoxins may cause deleterious effects (among others nephrogenic, hepatogenic, carcinogenic, teratogenic, neurogenic) in animals and humans, therefore they have been intensely studied and monitored over the years. For citrinin (CIT), a nephrotoxic mycotoxin, however, this has not yet been the case. According to the latest European Food Safety Authority report, a correct risk assessment of CIT was not possible due to the lack of occurrence data. Besides, traces of CIT or its metabolite, dehydrocitrinone are widely (in up to 90% of samples) present in human urine according to recent Belgian and German scientific reports, which might imply chronic exposure. Only recently, a European maximum limit has been set for CIT in cholesterol reducing food supplements including red yeast fermented rice (RYR). During production of RYR through fungal (among othersMonascus purpureus) fermentation of rice other components, like CIT, as well as nephrotoxic ochratoxin A (OTA) may form. Consequently, the present work attempted develop to a robust and routinely applicable ultra-high performance liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method for the analysis of CIT and OTA in food, feed and in RYR food supplements. The method was successfully validated based on EU/657/2002 and EU/519/2014 in RYR food supplements and wheat flour, achieving respective limits of quantification (LOQ) for CIT of 0.4 μg/kg and 0.1 μg/kg and for OTA of 15 μg/kg and 0.4 μg/kg. The average between-day recoveries varied from 72 to 110% with relative standard deviations ≤16%. Single-day validation in rice, curry and apple matrices showed LOQs ranging from 0.3-1.0 μg/kg. Next, the occurrence of CIT/OTA was surveyed in 138 RYR, food and feed samples, proving the potential of this method for future data acquisition within a risk assessment framework specifically for CIT, while also gaining information about the (co-)occurrence of OTA in edible matrices.
Une justice pénale internationale vue par les femmes : continuités et bifurcations dans les analyses féministes de la pénalité
Authors: Pieret Julien
Published: March 2016

Pour une partie des analystes féministes, le droit pénal demeure un appareil de domination construit par et pour les hommes. Dès lors, à leur yeux, rien ne justifie de s’en servir comme d’une arme politique susceptible de se retourner contre ceux qui en maitrisent le maniement. Ce point de vue radical se voit cependant et progressivement émoussé sur la scène internationale où l’on assiste à un usage militant du droit pénal international de la part d’activistes féministes en vue de punir les auteurs d’atteinte massive aux droits des femmes ou de justifier une intervention humanitaire en cas de tels crimes. Le présent article se propose, tout d’abord, de mettre à jour l’oscillation qui parcourt la pensée féministe critique au sein des arènes interne et internationale. Il vise, ensuite, à expliquer pour quelles raisons, à la faveur de l’accession de femmes dans les instances politiques et judiciaires internationales, le radicalisme des analyses initiales s’érode pour laisser place à des discours nettement plus favorables au déploiement de la pénalité internationale.
Faut-il croire en le droit (international pénal) ?
Authors: Bernard Diane
Published: March 2016

From an analysis of the shortcomings of the material justifications to the project of international criminal justice, this essay addresses the strength of its symbolic functions and justifications and the issues of faith resonance in its practice and its founding texts. The secular and/or religious nature of international criminal law, and the ability of (criminal) law to assume a symbolic role are then interrogated.
Au-delà de la critique… Approches tiers-mondistes et scènes internationales d’exercice du droit pénal
Authors: Zoungrana Wilfried
Published: March 2016

Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL) have evolved in the last two decades into a fertile source for interpretations and engagements of international law and its relationship with its colonial past and the manifold complicity of law and forms of domination. As an eclectic and critical stream, TWAIL comprises approaches such as feminism, postcolonialism, marxism, and post-structuralism. The common denominator of these eclectic approaches seems to be the importance they give to colonialism and forms and structures of domination. TWAIL scholars sought to uncover the role of colonialism in the development of international law and critique the euro-centrism that characterized international law. The current essay acknowledges the contribution that TWAIL made to the recent development in the theory and practice international law. It then proceeds to take TWAIL to task by asking how the approaches conceptualized international criminal processes. The article surveys how early and later generations of TWAIL scholars thought of criminal justice both in domestic and international contexts. The paper concludes that TWAIL can contribute to the articulation of an alternative view of international criminal justice. This is nonetheless predicated on a sound relationship to critique and the recognition of the danger of reifying critique.
Une juridiction britannique ordonne l'admission au Royaume-Uni de mineurs isolés vivant dans la « jungle » de Calais
Authors: Angliviel Maud
Published: March 2016

La Haute Cour de Justice (Chambre de l’asile et de l’immigration) a ordonné au Secrétaire d’État du ministère de l’Intérieur d’admettre immédiatement au Royaume-Uni quatre jeunes syriens isolés (dont trois mineurs) vivant dans la « Jungle » calaisienne, afin qu’ils rejoignent leurs familles pendant que leurs demandes d’asile sont examinées. Les juges ont essentiellement fondé cette décision sur le principe du respect de leur vie privée et familiale protégé par l’article 8 de la Convention européenne des droits de l'homme. Cette décision juridictionnelle rendue outre-Manche fait écho à d’autres solutions forgées récemment par des juges administratifs français saisies en référé par des avocats et des associations dans l’espoir de voir les procédures dites de « Dublin positif » aboutir au profit des mineurs non accompagnés.
EFFECT OF MEASUREMENT POSITION ON CARDIO-ANKLE VASCULAR INDEX (CAVI)
Authors: Shimawaki Satoshi , Yusa Kazuma
Published: March 2016

There is a need for new methods to measure the level of arterial stiffness easily at home. A previous report investigating the effect of measurement position on brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) showed that baPWV was higher in the sitting position than in the supine position. This was probably because the increased ankle PWV was associated with increased hydrostatic pressure in the arteries of lower extremities. Therefore, we investigated the effect of measurement position on the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), which is hardly affected by blood pressure. CAVI was measured in 50 healthy males (20–74 years) in five positions: supine, sitting, sitting with the knees flexed at 0[Formula: see text], reclining 50[Formula: see text], and standing. Compared to other positions, CAVI in the supine position was the lowest ([Formula: see text]); [Formula: see text] (the time difference between the second heart sound and the notch of the pulse wave in the upper arm) in the supine position was the highest ([Formula: see text]); and [Formula: see text] (the time difference between the minimum upper arm and ankle pulse wave pattern values) in the supine position was the highest ([Formula: see text]). Thus, our results indicated that changes in measurement position reduced pulse arrival time (increasing pulse wave velocity). We also observed a good correlation between CAVI in the supine position and that in other positions. The present study showed that the measurement position affected CAVI as much as it affected baPWV. Accordingly, correcting for the measurement position would be required when the position differs from supine.
CYBERNETIC APPROACH IN IDENTIFICATION OF BRAIN PATTERN VARIATIONS IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER
Authors: Bajestani Ghasem Sadeghi , Sheikhani Ali , Golpayegani Mohammad Reza Hashemi , Ashrafzadehi Farah , Hebrani Paria
Published: March 2016

Poincar section is a tool used in analysis and even control of non-linear systems like chaotic and uncertain systems. Although it has been presented long ago, yet this approach is artistic and heuristic. Poincar Section is destitute of any definite methodologies and problems including indefinite structure and model parameters that can be generally attributed to this approach; machine learning based on Poincar section is impossible. In this article, first of all, signal modeling steps using Poincar is explained, then considering the occurred events, the concept of information and relativism applying Poincar section and information approach, we will diagnose the brain pattern variations in Autistic cases. The reason we have taken Autism into consideration is because we believe its origin is information, in other words the big problem in Autism disorder is software kind, which can lead to hardware kind over time.

In this research a new kind of representation, namely Extended Complementary Plot, in which the main characteristic is special attention to signal phase as embedded information in the signal and ineffectiveness of energy, is introduced. All the introduced state-of-art concepts on Electroencephalography are implemented on Autistic children. Recording the EEG signal in Autistic children has always been a challenge for the specialists. Implementations of the article have been carried out on over 120 cases including 60 Autistic children and 60 normal ones ranging from 3 to 10 years old, in three different states; asleep, open eyes and a new record based on brain dynamics which has been suggested from the authors and does not have the other records problems for Autistic kids.

Prodigious results accomplished, suggests the common dynamic presence in Autism disorder which is entirely different from normal dynamics, and this is only due to the potency of the applied information tool; Poincar section, and cybernetic modeling in this research. We hope that the empirical results of this research to be a strong and effective step towards quantification of Autism disorder and conversion of diagnosis process from Clinical to Para clinical, and even early Autism diagnosis.
A Cultivated Variant of Differential Evolution Algorithm for Global Optimization
Authors: Pooja
Published: March 2016

Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm is known as robust, effective and highly efficient for solving the global optimization problems. In this chapter, a modified variant of Differential Evolution (DE) is proposed, named Cultivated Differential Evolution (CuDE) which is different from basic DE in two ways: 1) the selection of the base vector for mutation operation, 2) population generation for the next generation. The performance of the proposed algorithm is validated on a set of eight benchmark problems taken from literature and a real time molecular potential energy problem. The numerical results show that the proposed approach helps in formulating a better trade-off between convergence rate and efficiency. Also, it can be seen that the performance of DE is improved in terms of number of function evaluations, acceleration rate and mean error.
Hookes-Jeeves-Based Variant of Memetic Algorithm
Authors: Singh Dipti , Deep Kusum
Published: March 2016

Due to their wide applicability and easy implementation, Genetic algorithms (GAs) are preferred to solve many optimization problems over other techniques. When a local search (LS) has been included in Genetic algorithms, it is known as Memetic algorithms. In this chapter, a new variant of single-meme Memetic Algorithm is proposed to improve the efficiency of GA. Though GAs are efficient at finding the global optimum solution of nonlinear optimization problems but usually converge slow and sometimes arrive at premature convergence. On the other hand, LS algorithms are fast but are poor global searchers. To exploit the good qualities of both techniques, they are combined in a way that maximum benefits of both the approaches are reaped. It lets the population of individuals evolve using GA and then applies LS to get the optimal solution. To validate our claims, it is tested on five benchmark problems of dimension 10, 30 and 50 and a comparison between GA and MA has been made.
Comparative Study of GRA and MOORA Methods
Authors: Maniya Kalpesh D.
Published: March 2016

This chapter present the study of comparative assessment of Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) method and Multi Objective Optimization on the basis of Ratio Analysis (MOORA) method with considering two distinct weight determination methods named Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and Entropy method for ranking and selection of Two For One (TFO) machine used in Textile industry. TFO machines are used in textile industry to improve the properties of yarn by twisting. The ranking performance of GRA method and MOORA method is compared with each other with reference to ranking order obtained using different weight determination method and it explore effectiveness and simplicity of MOORA method for selection of best TFO machine.
Modeling Stock Prices Using Monte-Carlo Simulation and Excel
Authors: Kadry Seifedine , El Hami Abdelkhalak
Published: March 2016

Monte Carlo simulation or experiments is a computerized mathematical technique that allows people to account for risk in quantitative analysis and decision making. Risk analysis is part of every decision we make. We are constantly faced with uncertainty, ambiguity, and variability. The technique is used by professionals in such widely disparate fields as finance, project management, energy, manufacturing, engineering, research and development, insurance, oil & gas, transportation, and the environment. The technique was first used by scientists working on the atom bomb; it was named for Monte Carlo, the Monaco resort town renowned for its casinos. Since its introduction in World War II, Monte Carlo simulation has been used to model a variety of physical and conceptual systems. Monte Carlo simulation furnishes the decision-maker with a range of possible outcomes and the probabilities they will occur for any choice of action... It shows the extreme possibilities—the outcomes of going for broke and for the most conservative decision—along with all possible consequences for middle-of-the-road decisions. Monte Carlo simulation performs risk analysis by building models of possible results by substituting a range of values—a probability distribution—for any factor that has inherent uncertainty. It then calculates results over and over, each time using a different set of random values from the probability functions. Depending upon the number of uncertainties and the ranges specified for them, a Monte Carlo simulation could involve thousands or tens of thousands of recalculations before it is complete. Monte Carlo simulation produces distributions of possible outcome values. By using probability distributions, variables can have different probabilities of different outcomes occurring. Probability distributions are a much more realistic way of describing uncertainty in variables of a risk analysis. In this chapter, a history of the Monte-Carlo simulation and its mechanism is given. We will study, step by step, how to apply this technique to modeling and predict stock prices in financial market Excel through a real data.
Determination of Bearing Capacity of Shallow Foundation Using Soft Computing
Authors: J. Jagan , Chowdhury Swaptik , Goyal Pratik , Samui Pijush , Dalkiliç Yıldırım
Published: March 2016

The ultimate bearing capacity is an important criterion for the successful implementation of any geotechnical projects. This chapter studies the feasibility of employing Gaussian process regression (GPR), Extreme learning machine (ELM) and Minimax probability machine regression (MPMR) for prediction of ultimate bearing capacity of shallow foundation based on cohesionless soils. The developed models have been compared on the basis of coefficient of relation (R) values (GPR= 0.9625, ELM= 0.938, MPMR= 0.9625). The results show that MPMR is more efficient tool but the models of GPR and ELM also gives satisfactory results.
Optimizing Website Content to Improve Correctness of the Website Design
Authors: Sreedhar G.
Published: March 2016

Due to the unceasing growth of web sites and applications, developers and evaluators have interesting challenges not only from the development but also from the quality assurance point of view. The quality assurance was and is one of the challenging processes in software engineering as well as for the web engineering, as a new discipline. Although there exists many design guidelines, and metrics for the evaluation of web sites and applications, most of them lack a well-defined specification framework and even worse a strategy for consultation and reuse. The main theme of the chapter is to provide optimization techniques to improve the correctness of the website.
Developing a Framework for the Visualisation of Learning Analytics in UK Higher Education
Authors: Halliday Jack , Anderson Mark
Published: March 2016

Learning analytics has vast potential as a tool to further unlock the effectiveness of education in a digital age. The amount of data that can be gathered from varying access points can provide new insight and knowledge into how learners are interacting with course materials, learning systems and even fellow classmates. Research and experimentation is uncovering forms of best practice and possible factors on which to centre the analysis of students in an effective way, however learning analytics has yet to be comprehensively implemented country-wide in the United Kingdom.
Here Be Dragons
Authors: Prinsloo Paul , Slade Sharon
Published: March 2016

Learning analytics is an emerging but rapidly growing field seen as offering unquestionable benefit to higher education institutions and students alike. Indeed, given its huge potential to transform the student experience, it could be argued that higher education has a duty to use learning analytics. In the flurry of excitement and eagerness to develop ever slicker predictive systems, few pause to consider whether the increasing use of student data also leads to increasing concerns. This chapter argues that the issue is not whether higher education should use student data, but under which conditions, for what purpose, for whose benefit, and in ways in which students may be actively involved. The authors explore issues including the constructs of general data and student data, and the scope for student responsibility in the collection, analysis and use of their data. An example of student engagement in practice reviews the policy created by the Open University in 2014. The chapter concludes with an exploration of general principles for a new deal on student data in learning analytics.
Post-Course Survey Development
Authors: Frasard Scott
Published: March 2016

Evaluating workplace training often involves using participant surveys to gather information about effectiveness. Unfortunately, how well these surveys are designed will play a major role in the information quality used to make conclusions. Following a proper survey design method will improve data quality and help trainers better understand what these data truly mean. Additionally, as a first step in a chain of evidence, properly designed post-course surveys will play a key role in connecting training with any on-the-job changes. This chapter will describe in detail a survey design process adapted from Spector (1992) to yield key insights about training's design, trainer and participants' interactions during training, and participants' perceived value of attending.
Optimisation of Variable Stiffness Plates
Authors: Weaver Paul M. , Wu Zhang Ming , Raju Gangadharan
Published: March 2016

Variable angle tow (VAT) describes fibres in a composite lamina that have been steered curvilinearly. In so doing, substantially enlarged freedom for stiffness tailoring of composite laminates is enabled. VAT composite structures have been shown to have improved buckling and postbuckling load carrying capability when compared to straight fibre composites. However, their structural analysis and optimal design is more computationally expensive due to the exponential increase in number of variables associated with spatially varying planar fibre orientations in addition to stacking sequence considerations. In this work, an efficient two-level optim isation framework using lamination parameters as design variables has been enhanced and general ised to the design of VAT plates. Explicit stiffness matrices are found in terms of component material invariants and lamination parameters. The convex hull property of B-splines is exploited to ensure point-wise feasibility of lamination parameters. In addition, a small set of explicit closed-form expressions is used to define the feasible region of two in-plane and two out-of-plane lamination parameters, which are used for the design of orthotropic laminates. Finally, numerical examples of plates under compression loading with different boundary conditions and aspect ratios are investigated. Reliable optimal solutions demonstrate the robustness and computational efficiency of the proposed optimisation methodology.
Effective Alarm Model Using Non Invasive Corrosion Monitoring for Risk Asssessment of Underground Pipelines
Authors: Halama Maroš , Smatana Marek , Groško Miroslav , Hajšel Andrej , Ardevol Anna Mercader , Geleva Stefani
Published: March 2016

Effective corrosion monitoring can be achieved using mobile potenciostat through the selection of appropriate monitoring methods and special kind of sensor. Stern polarization technique in non-invasive arrangement was used to monitor OCP potential and actual corrosion rate of pipeline with corrosion products in soil mixture. Using global database with range of minimum and maximum corrosion rate limits obtained from terrain measurements we can determine active or passive role of corrosion products and assess risk joint with aggressiveness of soil in location of interest. Finally, values were divided between high active, medium active and passive corrosion. Output is alarm, which can help in decision if reconstruction of underground pipelines where isolation failure in time is sufficient or not. When done properly, corrosion monitoring using non-invasive in-situ technique can serve as an early warning system before the onset of corrosion-related failures.Fig. 1 Non-invasive corrosion monitoring on underground pipelines
The Influence of Surface Preparation Method on Microstructure of HF-Modified Aluminide Coatings Deposited by CVD Method on Rene 80 and MAR M-247 Nickel Superalloys
Authors: Filip Ryszard , Pytel Maciej , Nowotnik Andrzej
Published: March 2016

In the article the hafnium modified aluminide coatings deposited using chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method were analyzed. The influence of surface treatment (grinding, sandblasting with different pressures) on microstructure of coatings were described. The Re 80 and M-247 nickel superalloys were used as substrate. Thickness of the obtained aluminide coating was in the range 32-45 mm on Re 80 and 40-45 mm on M-247 respectively. The average amount of Al in the additive layer was 22-24 wt% on Re 80 and about 21 wt % on M-247 base alloy. The total amount of hafnium in coatings did not exceed 2.5 wt % - usuallly below 0.5 wt %. The conducted research has shown that there is no strong influence of surface preparation methodology on microstructure of aluminide coatings obtained by CVD method.
Hydrogen Aggressive Media Impact on Cycling Durability of Structure Components
Authors: Kishlakov Daniel L. , Tarakanov Pavel V. , Shashurin Georgy V. , Berchun Yury V.
Published: March 2016

To develop modern CAE systems for durable and reliable structure components design, mathematical modeling of environmentally assisted metal cracking becomes very important. For structure components exploited in aggressive environment and under cyclic load, it is a problem of today. Besides, mathematical rule of damage accumulation of different causes (for instance, hydrogen media impact and cycling) is rarely used in CAE systems, but if such rule was used, crack propagation simulation considering several damage causes would be possible.Environmentally assisted metal cracking model (developed earlier by authors) is described in the paper. This model considers cyclic load and hydrogen embrittlement, the most important characteristics of which are hydrogen environmental concentration and load frequency respectively.The authors’ model successfully predicts effect, known from certain experimental data, that the greater is the frequency, the less hydrogen embrittlement affects fatigue cracks propagation and, vice-versa, that there are certain boundaries of cycling frequency for which embrittlement effect is comparably big.Such boundaries of frequency were numerically estimated by means of the presented model. Plots showing dependency of the component’s life on different defect and loading features are shown.
Prediction of Materials and Coating Durability Based on Atmospheric and Laboratoty Tests
Authors: Kreislova Katerina , Mindos Lubomir , Geiplova Hana , Parakova Marketa
Published: March 2016

All industries are interesting in the durability/service life of products, structures, equipment, plants, etc. One factor affecting this is corrosion resistance. There are many methods for received such data. Methods supporting standardized data are long-term atmospheric corrosion tests, mapping of corrosivity, field tests on real structures including the evaluation of long-term exposed materials and coatings. The choice of suitable accelerated test is very important for receiving the reasonable information.
Impact of Air Pollution and Climate Conditions on Carbon Steel in Slovak Republic
Authors: Ivašková Martina , Koteš Peter , Dundeková Sylvia
Published: March 2016

The paper describes the impact of multi-pollution of atmosphere on carbon steel construction material in Slovak Republic. Corrosion like one of the most decisive factor determining the lifetime of material increases the risk of failure, which has considerable impact on maintenance costs. The objective of the article is to calculate potential material losses of carbon steel using the dose-response functions derived from the results of outdoor exposure program and by STN EN ISO 9223. The values were calculated and compared from 2003 to 2014. For comparison the impact of air pollution and climate condition maps of the mass loss and maps of the corrosion rate were created using 4-year averages - dates (2003-2006, 2007-2010 and 2011-2014). Actually, map of corrosion losses does not help to protect materials, but it can be useful for prediction of risks by design and analysis.
A Model of Pressure, Oxygenation, and Perfusion Risk Factors for Pressure Ulcers in the Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Bly Deborah , Schallom Marilyn , Sona Carrie , Klinkenberg Dean
Published: March 2016

Background

Although most intensive care patients are at risk for pressure ulcers, not all experience such ulcers.

Objective

To examine a model of variables related to extrinsic and intrinsic pressure on skin and underlying tissues, oxygenation, perfusion, and baseline comorbid conditions to identify risk factors associated with pressure ulcers in critically ill adults.

Method

A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients identified by weekly rounds from January 2010 through October 2010 to determine the prevalence of pressure ulcers. Variables were analyzed via bivariate analysis and logistic regression for unit-acquired pressure ulcers.

Results

Data on 345 patients with 436 intensive care admissions were reviewed. Variables were significant in each model category at P < .05. In the regression analysis of first admission only (n = 306), the model was significant (P < .001) and yielded correct classification of 86.3% of patients. For all intensive care admissions (n = 391), the model was significant (P < .001) and yielded correct classification of 83.9% of patients. In both models, 4 of the same variables were significant: any transport off the unit, number of days to bed change, systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, and use of more than 1 vasopressor. History of pulmonary disease and presence of a feeding tube were also significant in regression analyses.

Conclusions

Several variables within the model of pressure, oxygenation, and perfusion were significantly associated with development of pressure ulcers.
Use of a Central Catheter Maintenance Bundle in Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals
Authors: Grigonis Antony M. , Dawson Amanda M. , Burkett Mary , Dylag Arthur , Sears Matthew , Helber Betty , Snyder Lisa K.
Published: March 2016

Objective

Evidence-based guidelines have resulted in decreases in bloodstream infections associated with central catheters (CLABSIs) in hospital intensive care units. However, relatively little is known about CLABSI incidence and prevention in long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs).

Methods

A central catheter maintenance bundle was implemented in 30 LTACHs, and compliance with the bundle was tracked for 6 months. CLABSI rates were monitored for 14 months before and 14 months after the bundle was implemented.

Results

The pooled mean CLABSI rate (No. of infections per 1000 days with a central catheter) was 1.28 before the bundle and 0.96 after the bundle (repeated measures general linear model; F1,58 = 6.973; P = .01; partial η2 = .11). From 14 months before to 14 months after the bundle was implemented, the mean number of CLABSIs per LTACH decreased by 4.5 (95% CI, 1.85–7.15). Time series modeling showed a significant decrease in the mean hospital CLABSI rate after the bundle was implemented (−0.511 CLABSI/1000 catheter days, SE = 0.050), indicating an immediate effect of the bundle. The mean hospital CLABSI rate was decreasing slightly before the bundle was implemented and continued to decrease at a reduced rate after the bundle was implemented.

Conclusion

The bundle resulted in a significant and sustained reduction in CLABSI rates in 30 LTACHs for 14 months. These results encourage the development and implementation of similar bundles as effective strategies for infection reduction in LTACHs.
Cutting Edge: CLEC5A Mediates Macrophage Function and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Pathologies
Authors: Wortham Brian W. , Eppert Bryan L. , Flury Jennifer L. , Garcia Sara Morgado , Donica Walter R. , Osterburg Andrew , Joyce-Shaikh Barbara , Cua Daniel J. , Borchers Michael T.
Published: March 2016

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a devastating disease with no effective therapies. We investigated the role of the C-type lectin receptor, CLEC5A, in macrophage activation and pulmonary pathogenesis in a mouse model of COPD. We demonstrate that CLEC5A is expressed on alveolar macrophages in mice exposed long-term to cigarette smoke (CS), as well as in human smokers. We also show that CLEC5A-mediated activation of macrophages enhanced cytokine elaboration alone, as well as in combination with LPS or GM-CSF in CS-exposed mice. Furthermore, using Clec5a-deficient mice, we demonstrate that CS-induced macrophage responsiveness is mediated by CLEC5A, and CLEC5A is required for the development of inflammation, proinflammatory cytokine expression, and airspace enlargement. These findings suggest a novel mechanism that promotes airway inflammation and pathologies in response to CS exposure and identifies CLEC5A as a novel target for the therapeutic control of COPD pathogenesis.
HIV Skews the Lineage-Defining Transcriptional Profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis–Specific CD4+ T Cells
Authors: Riou Catherine , Strickland Natalie , Soares Andreia P. , Corleis Björn , Kwon Douglas S. , Wherry E. John , Wilkinson Robert J. , Burgers Wendy A.
Published: March 2016

HIV-infected persons are at greater risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) even before profound CD4 loss occurs, suggesting that HIV alters CD4+ T cell functions capable of containing bacterial replication. An effective immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis most likely relies on the development of a balanced CD4 response, in which distinct CD4+ Th subsets act in synergy to control the infection. To define the diversity of M. tuberculosis–specific CD4+ Th subsets and determine whether HIV infection impacts such responses, the expression of lineage-defining transcription factors T-bet, Gata3, RORγt, and Foxp3 was measured in M. tuberculosis–specific CD4+ T cells in HIV-uninfected (n = 20) and HIV-infected individuals (n = 20) with latent TB infection. Our results show that, upon 5-d restimulation in vitro, M. tuberculosis–specific CD4+ T cells from healthy individuals have the ability to exhibit a broad spectrum of Th subsets, defined by specific patterns of transcription factor coexpression. These transcription factor profiles were skewed in HIV-infected individuals where the proportion of T-bethighFoxp3+ M. tuberculosis–specific CD4+ T cells was significantly decreased (p = 0.002) compared with HIV-uninfected individuals, a change that correlated inversely with HIV viral load (p = 0.0007) and plasma TNF-α (p = 0.027). Our data demonstrate an important balance in Th subset diversity defined by lineage-defining transcription factor coexpression profiles that is disrupted by HIV infection and suggest a role for HIV in impairing TB immunity by altering the equilibrium of M. tuberculosis–specific CD4+ Th subsets.
Preliminary notes on the Hurwitz Group, Padlei map - area, Northwest Territories
Authors: Bell R T
Published: March 2016

Studies of the Hurwitz Group at the northeast end of the Rankin-Ennadai belt have disclosed a pocket of older pyritic, mildly radioactive sedimentary rocks similar to those farther west at Montgomery Lake. Basic data on these and associated rocks are presented
along with a figure showing the distribution of these rocks in the Padlei map-area. The lower formations of the Hurwitz Group are formally defined: Padlei Formation, Kinga Formation, including Maguse and Whiterock Lake Members, and Ameto Formation, including Happotiyik
Member.
Lower and middle devonian Stromatoporoids from northwestern Canada
Authors: Stearn C W , Mehrotra P N
Published: March 2016

The stromatoporoid fauna of the Emsian, Eifelian and Givetian carbonates of northern Yukon Territory and northwestern District of Mackenzie are much different from those of the Frasnian rocks of Alberta. The stromatoporoids collected from the lower part of the
sequence, the Michelle and Gossage Formations (Lower Devonian to Eifelian), are poorly preserved and difficult to identify. A rich fauna was collected in the Ogilvie Formation (upper Eifelian to Givetian) from which 16 species are described. Notable among these fossils are new species of
Tienodictyon (T. jainaraini), Hammatostroma (H. vermiforme), Stictostroma (S. cavosite), Pseudoactinodictyon (P. cranswickense). Stromatoporoids from the Hume Formation also are described.
Feasibility study of geochemical sampling of Arctic Coastal streams by helicopter based on a Department of Transport icebreaker
Authors: Dyck W
Published: March 2016

Using the helicopter on board the Department of Transport icebreaker, "John A. Macdonald", 69 water and sediment samples from 54 stream sites were collected from eight regions during the period July 9 to August 19, 1971. At fifteen of these sites another sample
from the brackish water zone of the stream was also collected. Of the factors influencing sampling, the ship's route and weather were most decisive. The water samples were analyzed on board ship for radon, alkalinity, Eh, pH, oxygen, calcium, total divalent cations , and chloride ions. These
analyses showed that the waters were essentially saturated with oxygen at the temperature and pressure at the sample site, fluctuating around 11 ppm. Radon concentrations were generally low; however, waters from granitic regions contained easily detectable amounts of radon. Tests for alkalinity, pH,
calcium, divalent ions and chloride ions gave clear evidence of the dominant rock type of the landscape through which the streams flow (e. g . l imestone or granites) and also instances of intermixture with sea water. The analytical results show that the streams sampled contain no anomalous
concentrations of the trace elements , Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Ag, As, Sb, Mo, U , and Hg. Cost estimates show that with appropriate modifications of the 1971 sampling program, sampling of Arctic coastal streams by the above method is economical .
Subsurface Cambrian stratigraphy in southern and central Alberta
Authors: Pugh D C
Published: March 2016

Cambrian formations, which in the Rocky Mountains and Foothills belt include characteristic limestones and dolomites described by Aitken (1968), extend northeastward into the subsurface of the Alberta Plains where generally shoreward elastic facies are
predominant. Coarse elastic rocks of the Basal sandstone unit, together with the overlying succession of carbonate and fine elastic rocks in the west, and fine elastic rocks in the east, constitute the Cambrian System in southern and central Alberta. The western Alberta sequence, Mount
Whyte-Cathedral-Stephen-Eldon-Pika Formations, undergoes facies changes northeastward into the Earlie Formation. The Eldon carbonates, thinning and passing into elastic facies, extend a little farther than the limit of the Cathedral carbonates. Similarly, the carbonate rocks of the Pika Formation,
youngest of the Middle Cambrian formations, extend with remarkably uniform thickness beyond the limit of the Eldon carbonates. A elastic equivalent of the Pika Formation extends to easternmost Alberta, allowing recognition of the Middle Cambrian-Upper Cambrian boundary within a continuous succession
of Cambrian fine elastic rocks. The subsurface Upper Cambrian of eastern Alberta is assigned to the Deadwood Formation, which is subdivided informally into nine members by the markers a to h of van Hees (1964). The Deadwood Formation is overlain unconformably, partly by carbonate and elastic rocks
of the Finnegan Formation, and partly by Ordovician and Devonian beds. Pre-Devonian erosion removed Upper Cambrian beds in the southwest, and in the northeast about 1, OOO feet of the Deadwood Formation were removed north of the Meadow Lake Escarpment, shaping the Central Alberta "basin" for
subsequent Devonian deposition.