bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conceptual framework of economic reliability of production processes
Authors: Vladimirova Tatyana , Manakov Aleksey , Sokolov Viktor
Published: October 2018

The study presents the authors' approach to defining economic reliability of production processes; interpretation of the essence, content and mathematical implementation of its parameters. The methodology of study includes classical scientific methods like observation, analysis, synthesis, formalization and logic. Also, some special methods were used like knowledge base and database creation, variance analysis, economical and statistical methods of data processing, economical and mathematical modeling. The authors' approach to control of economic reliability of production processes suggests transition from classical elasticity coefficients of relations between two factors to elasticity functions, including multidimensional ones. Rigidity functions are introduced as a counter-concept of elasticity functions. As a result of the study the following notions are defined: extreme technologies, basic principle of the technology extremality; assessment of production process reliability, as well as essence, content and mathematical implementation of its parameters. The suggested method is implemented in a number of large-scale projects in various branches of Russian national economics.
Effect of the sorting track profile change on the it’s occupancy quality at train humping
Authors: Kornienko Konstantin , Bessonenko Sergei
Published: October 2018

To increase the hump yard capacity, it is necessary to ensure high quality of sorting track occupancy. The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of changing the track profile on the quality of its occupancy. The simulation model developed for occupancy of sorting tracks based on the calculation of the speed of the cut and taking the following into consideration was used for the study: the possibility of starting the cut movement after a stop, errors in operation of the devices in charge of the speed of releasing the cut to the track, the possibility of displacement of the cars when the next cut collides with them. A real profile of the sorting facility track was analyzed as an example of it. It was determined that the profile caused strong effect on the track occupancy quality. The sagging of the profile causes an increase in the probability of collision of the cuts with exceeding the permissible speed. An increase in the up-gradient reduces the range of the run-off distance, which in turn causes an increase in the number of car back-ins. Profile correction will allow increasing the track occupancy quality.
Method for determining the acceptability of transport operations involving dangerous goods
Authors: Medvedev Vladimir , Teslenko Igor , Karasev Sergey
Published: October 2018

Due to transport incidents and accidents involving dangerous goods, which cause significant damage to the infrastructure and environment, there is a need to study ways of preventing losses from these accidents and minimizing their costs. The purpose of the paper is to develop a method for determining the acceptability of transport operations involving dangerous goods under normal conditions. The methods used in the study include analysis and synthesis, risk management and Delphi methods. The key outcome of the study is a developed method founded on an integrated generalized criterion for acceptability of the main transport operations involving dangerous goods. This criterion is based on risk assessment. It has been established that the safety of transportation is determined by the maximum level of dynamic loads, impact velocity, energy absorption efficiency, braking mode of railway cars, and degree of risk.
Modern approaches to product competitiveness evaluation for companies of various industries
Authors: Tyunyukova Elena , Ruban Vladimir , Burovtsev Vladimir
Published: October 2018

This study is aimed at forming modern approaches to product competitiveness evaluation for companies of various industries. Relevant task is to obtain a quantitative evaluation parameter for product competitiveness that enables to adequately compare competing products. The study was performed using the methods of systems and structural analysis, strategic modeling and general principles of economic studies. The paper includes review of the existing approaches to product competitiveness evaluation based on its qualitative and quantitative assessment. Key groups of parameters that effect competitiveness of the manufactured product were determined, and an approach based on Harrington desirability function was suggested for its evaluation.
Design of the railway track infrastructure of the subpolar and northern regions
Authors: Akkerman Gennady , Akkerman Sergei , Mironov Aleksandr
Published: October 2018

The interest in the development of the Subpolar and Northern regions of the Eurasian and the American continent has sharply increased recently, which is reflected, among other things, in construction of railways. This construction is associated with large resource costs. The purpose of this work is to study the possibility of using “new” materials - ice, sulfur concrete for construction of railway beds. The paper presents results of computer simulation of the “wheel-rail” interaction, which made it possible to investigate the loads onto the ice base, in the “Universal Mechanism” software package. It was determined that the load was less than permissible. The technique of laboratory (with the help of a jack) and field (moving by a steam locomotive) tests of the ice base was described. It was determined that the geometry of the track was not changed under the load. This observation and the computer simulation allows believing that the ice railway beds can be used in the Subpolar and Northern regions.
Increasing the traffic capacity of railway blocks
Authors: Sergeev Boris , Dontsov Vitaly , Arzhannikov Boris
Published: October 2018

The paper considers ways of increasing the traffic capacity of railway sections equipped with automatic block signaling systems, with a discrete variable number of block sections. Simultaneous traffic of long and short trains on a single block is analyzed. The paper highlights shortcomings and limitations of the existing automatic block signaling systems, including low traffic capacity and non-compliance with traffic safety requirements for railway sections. The study is aimed at removing these shortcomings and limitations. For this purpose, a reasonable technical solution has been presented, analyzed and scientifically grounded. System analysis techniques have been used to study the performance of traffic control devices.
Controlled atmosphere GMAW welding of transportation vehicles and production machines parts made from 30MnB5 steel
Authors: Ivanayskiy Evgeny , Ishkov Aleksei , Ivanayskiy Aleksandr , Ochakovskii Iakov
Published: October 2018

The paper studies the influence of shielding gas on the composition and the structure of weld joint metal of 30MnB5 steel applied in essential parts of automobiles and tractors. The welding was performed in inert, oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. It was established that TIG welding with argon used as shielding gas did not provide the required mechanical properties when using conventional welding materials. Carbon dioxide during MAG welding caused partial burning of alloying elements. Carbon monoxide used as shielding gas was proved to form reducing atmosphere enabling to obtain chemical composition close to the base metal composition. Metallographic examinations were carried out. The obtained results provided full-strength weld, as well as the required reliability and durability of welded components and joints.
Analysis of research on the impact of electromagnetic fields and the degree of their automation
Authors: Filippenko Nikolay , Lipchitz Alexandr , Kargapoltzev Sergey
Published: October 2018

In spite of the significant amount of scientific publications on
the impact of fields on structural properties of nonmagnetic materials,
investigations of structures of materials subjected to electromagnetic
actions are relevant. The purpose of the paper is review and analysis of the
state-of-the-art developments on the impact of electromagnetic fields that
differ in power and nature. Analysis of the studied outputs enabled to
conclude that direct contactless inertia-free effect on the material structure
and dynamics of its defects at various levels. It was defined that the use of
automated systems of research process management is difficult.
Prediction of the Flow-Induced Vibration Response of the Chenderoh Dam Left Bank Section
Authors: Ghazali Mohamad Hazwan Mohd , Zawawi Mohd Hafiz , Hassan Nurul Husna , Radzi Mohd Rashid Mohd , Mazlan Ahmad Zhafran Ahmad , Abas Mohamad Aizat , Zainol Mohd Remy Rozainy Mohd Arif
Published: October 2018

Flow-induced vibration is a common phenomenon that happened in any of dam structures during the operational condition. This includes the effect of water spilling from the upstream to the downstream of the dam due to high water volume at the upstream side. the release of water from the dam can be beneficial in generating the electricity source to the surrounding areas. However, in some cases, the spill of water can induced the significant vibration effects to the dam structure. In this study, the prediction of the flow-induced vibration response at the left bank section of the real scale Malaysian Chenderoh Dam model is simulated using the ANSYS software. the input force disturbances from the flow of the water at the left bank section during the normal water spilling condition is investigated. the results of frequency domain response and operational defection shapes (ODS) from the effect of flow-induced vibration are compared with the natural frequencies and mode shapes of the dam. From the results, the transient vibration responses due to the flow of water happened at the frequency of 13.3 Hz while the natural frequency of the left bank section occurred at 52.3 Hz, which indicates that there is no resonance phenomenon for the normal case of water spilling at the left bank section of the dam structure. This result is useful for the dam operation section in order to avoid any disaster of the dam structure.
Modal Analysis of Vertical Wind Turbine Blade
Authors: Yi Lee Zhou , Teoh Choe-Yung
Published: October 2018

Wind turbines cannot simply be installed in Malaysia due to low wind speed condition. the project has analyzed the existing wind turbine blade (Aeolos-V 1k) design based on modal properties using computational approach (ANSYS Workbench) and redesign it. the modal analysis is simulated to observe natural frequency and corresponding mode shaped of the system under free vibration. the flow induced vibration can cause blade failure due to resonance or fatigue. Fluid Structural Interaction (FSI) ANSYS is used to the determined the interaction between the wind flow and the blade. Harmonic Response ANSYS is used to analyze the frequency response of the blade under wind induced vibration. After modification, the first mode has increased from 91.42 Hz to 102.12, since it is more than 50.92 Hz (Turbine maximum operating frequency), resonance would not occur during operating condition. the Aeolos-V’s blade has been modified by using. teak wood material and. redesign the blade for weight. reduction and aim for lower blade cost. the weight of modified blade has reduced 72.8 % after using teak wood and the efficiency of the wind turbine also increased. Modified design has been tested under Malaysia maximum wind speed of 9.44 m/s, the yield stress of teak wood (10.3 MPa) is higher than the maximum stress (4.2 MPa) obtained under force vibration which gives safety factor of 2.4. Hence, modified blade is reliable, efficient and more economic for Malaysia.
Investigation of Damping Coefficient For Magnetorheological Elastomer
Authors: Hadzir M.N.Hazwan , Norfaidayu Z.A. , Sabri M.S.Mohamad , Abu-Bakar Muhamad-Husaini
Published: October 2018

Magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) is a smart material where its stiffness vary with presence of magnetic field.These special properties lead to various application as mechanical devise such as damper. Damping coefficient is criteria that need to consider while designing the device. This paper aims to study the effect of iron filling and elastomer composition on a damping coefficient of MRE. Five MRE specimens with different CIP composition from 30 to 70% was prepared.the speciment was tested with testbed which is has a Constance distance permanent magnet(5mm) and motor speed (131.9Hz). the vibration amplitude in frequency domain was used to calculate the damping coefficient by half-power bandwidth equation. Experimental result indicates that the highest damping coefficient is at 30% CIP concentration and the lowest is at 70% CIP composition. As a conclusion, the damping coeficiet is decrease with increasing in CIP composition.this finding useful to design an optimal active damper for mechanical component.
Development of a Lower Limb Stroke Rehabilitation Machine
Authors: Law Khuan Foo , Singh Dalbir , Ripin Zaidi Mohd
Published: October 2018

This paper explains the development of a lower limb stroke rehabilitation machine designed for subacute stroke patients. the system is capable of measuring the muscle force and providing goal-oriented feedback in real-time and running in two different rehabilitation modes. the mean value of engagement metric of healthy subjects using this machine with feedback was 24.53% higher than without feedback. This proved that feedback can help the patients to be fully engaged during the rehab session and this can be useful in strengthening the neuromotor pathways. the brain recovery based on the motor cortex correlation quantification algorithm based on the electroencephalography (EEG) signals which is validated against the established technique based on the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). From the results, the resting-state EEG beta coherence of healthy subjects was found to be 0.474±0.06, whereas the average fMRI functional connectivity between left and right primary motor areas of healthy subjects was 0.537±0.08. the percentage difference was only 11.7%. clinical trial will be carried out to further measure the efficacy of the rehabilitation treatment using this system.
Deep Neural Network Tool Chatter Model for Aluminum Surface Milling Using Acoustic Emmision Sensor
Authors: Abul Hasan M. , Abu-Bakar Muhamad-Husaini , Razuwan Rizal , Nazri Zainal
Published: October 2018

Chatter is a self-excited vibration in any machining processes which contributes to the system instability due to resonance and resulting in an inaccuracy in machining product. Due to demand for a high precision product, industries are nowadays moving towards implementing a tool monitoring system as a feedback. Currently, an electromagnetic sensor was used to detect chatter in tools, but this sensor introduces a drawback such as bulky in size, sensitive to noise and not suitable to be implemented in the small machining center. This paper aims to propose a chatter identification model for face milling tool based on acoustic emission data for tool monitoring system. Acoustic emission data is collected at four level of cutting depth in milling with linear tool path movement on aluminum T6 6061 materials. the Deep Neural Network (DNN) model was developed using multiple deep-learning frameworks for the chatter detection system. This model approach shows a good agreement with experimental data with 4% error. As a conclusion, the DNN chatter identification model was successfully developed for the aluminum milling process applications. This finding is essential for anomaly detection during machining process and able to suggest for a better machining parameter for the aluminum machining process.
A Low Cost Potentiostat Device For Monitoring Aqueous Solution
Authors: Umar S. N. H. , Bakar E. A. , Kamaruddin N. M. , Uchiyama N.
Published: October 2018

This study developed a new design of a low cost potentiostat circuit device. This device is an alternative electrochemical instrument applied for monitoring heavy metal ion in environmental water. It was developed to alleviate the cost burden of equipment procurement and due to the requirement for in-situ application since the existing commercialize devices are bulky and expensive. the main component of the device consist of electronics configuration of operational amplifier. the device was first modelled and simulated to acquire the design parameters and performance. the potential control algorithm was developed on open-source microcontroller platform. A dummy cell was used to validate the capabilities of the device.
Numerical Modeling of The Quorum Sensing In a Bacterial Biofilm
Authors: Blouza A. , El Alaoui L.
Published: October 2018

In the present paper we propose a bi-dimensional non-linear reaction-diffusion model de-scribing the action of antibiotics as well as quorum sensing inhibitors agents on the virulence of bacteria biofilms. We thus approximate the system by a standard finite element scheme in space and an implicit Euler method in time. We prove the existence and uniqueness of a solution to this system and prove its convergence to a weak solution of the model we introduce. We present numerical results for simulating the quorum sensing of the very human pathogenic bacteria Pseudomenas aeruginosa.
Explicit Solution and Fine Asymptotics for a Critical Growth-Fragmentation Equation
Authors: Doumic Marie , van Brunt Bruce
Published: October 2018

We give here an explicit formula for the following critical case of the growth-fragmentation equation

∂/∂tu(t,x)+∂/∂x(gxu(t,x))+bu(t,x)=bα2u(t,αx),        u(0,x)=u0(x)
for some constants g > 0, b > 0 and α >1 - the case α = 2 being the emblematic binary fission case. We discuss the links between this formula and the asymptotic ones previously obtained in [8], and use them to clarify how periodicity may appear asymptotically.
Cardiovascular Modeling With Adapted Parametric Inference
Authors: Lucor Didier , Le Maître Olivier P.
Published: October 2018

Computational modeling of the cardiovascular system, promoted by the advance of fluid-structure interaction numerical methods, has made great progress towards the development of patient-specific numerical aids to diagnosis, risk prediction, intervention and clinical treatment. Nevertheless, the reliability of these models is inevitably impacted by rough modeling assumptions. A strong in-tegration of patient-specific data into numerical modeling is therefore needed in order to improve the accuracy of the predictions through the calibration of important physiological parameters. The Bayesian statistical framework to inverse problems is a powerful approach that relies on posterior sampling techniques, such as Markov chain Monte Carlo algorithms. The generation of samples re-quires many evaluations of the cardiovascular parameter-to-observable model. In practice, the use of a full cardiovascular numerical model is prohibitively expensive and a computational strategy based on approximations of the system response, or surrogate models, is needed to perform the data as-similation. As the support of the parameters distribution typically concentrates on a small fraction of the initial prior distribution, a worthy improvement consists in gradually adapting the surrogate model to minimize the approximation error for parameter values corresponding to high posterior den-sity. We introduce a novel numerical pathway to construct a series of polynomial surrogate models, by regression, using samples drawn from a sequence of distributions likely to converge to the posterior distribution. The approach yields substantial gains in efficiency and accuracy over direct prior-based surrogate models, as demonstrated via application to pulse wave velocities identification in a human lower limb arterial network.
Rückenschmerz: gezielte Anamnese und klinische Untersuchung
Authors: Chenot Jean-François
Published: October 2018

Low back pain is common, but serious underlying disorders are infrequent in ambulatory care. Extensive diagnostic testing is neither feasable nor reasonable due to epidemiological and economical considerations. A structured step wise approach allows to differentiate between specific and unspecific low back pain.
Agentes hepatoespecíficos, usos actuales: más allá de la caracterización de lesiones focales
Authors: Castrillón G. A. , Espinosa J. P. , P. M. Noriega , Royero M. , Gómez D. V.
Published: October 2018

Con el ácido gadoxético, el realce dinámico de las lesiones focales es igual a los demás medios de contraste extracelulares, por lo que su utilidad principal está en la obtención de una fase hepatobiliar que permita diferenciar y caracterizar lesiones que contienen hepatocitos como en el caso de la hiperplasia nodular focal (HNF) y los nódulos regenerativos. Las lesiones que no tienen hepatocitos o que son carentes de conductos biliares, demuestran baja señal con respecto al parénquima hepático en esa fase, lo que ocurre con los adenomas hepatocelulares (AHC), nódulos displásicos de alto grado, carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) y metástasis entre otras. Hacer esta diferenciación cambia el manejo de la lesión focal, permitiendo en la mayoría de los casos caracterizar las lesiones que contienen hepatocitos que no requieren biopsia, como las benignas, de aquellas que si pudieran requerir la confirmación histológica. Otros usos de estos medios de contraste órgano específicos es la evaluación de la integridad de la vía biliar especialmente en pacientes posquirúrgicos y la diferenciación de quistes que tienen comunicación con la vía biliar de aquellos que son quistes hepáticos simples.

El objetivo de este artículo es realizar una revisión sobre la evidencia actual del papel emergente de los contrastes órgano específicos, incluyendo no solo la evaluación de las lesiones focales hepáticas, sino también otras utilidades como el análisis de la patología biliar.
Manifestaciones tomográficas extrapulmonares de TBC y algunas de sus complicaciones asociadas
Authors: Gana E. , Schiappacasse G.
Published: October 2018

La Tuberculosis (TBC) es una patología infecto-contagiosa de alta morbimortalidad en Chile y en el mundo, siendo la segunda causa de muerte por cuestión infecciosa y es considerada una patología de alta relevancia a nivel de salud pública. Es causada por una bacteria de alta virulencia y contagio llamada mycobacterium tuberculosis.

En la actualidad contamos con protocolos de detección y tratamiento muy eficaces, que la convierten en una enfermedad prevenible y curable. El diagnóstico se realiza con estudios bacteriológicos específicos frente a una sospecha clínica-epidemiológica sugerente. Sin embargo, el uso de imágenes forma parte casi obligatoria de su estudio y control. Debido a que el órgano diana de la TBC es el pulmón, es habitual utilizar como apoyo diagnóstico una radiografía de tórax, la cual es útil, en caso de TBC pulmonar, al presentar hallazgos característicos y orientadores para su diagnóstico. Es importante destacar que el mycobacterium tuberculosis tiene alto potencial de diseminación por contigüidad, vía linfática y/o hematógena, siendo esa última vía la causante de la mayoría de las TBC extrapulmonares, las cuales se presentan en un 20% de pacientes inmunocompetentes y hasta en un 60% de inmunocomprometidos. La principal localización de una TBC extrapulmonar es a nivel pleural, seguida del compromiso ganglionar, urogenital y osteoarticular, siendo el resto de las localizaciones muy infrecuentes. Para esos casos la tomografía computada (TC) es el estudio por imágenes de elección para el diagnóstico y control, además de ser una herramienta muy útil para la detección de complicaciones.
Vestibular Neurectomy for Intractable Vertigo: Case Series and Evaluation of Role of Endoscopic Assistance in Retrolabyrinthine Craniotomy
Authors: Chen Brian S. , Roberts Daniel S. , Lekovic Gregory P.
Published: October 2018

Objective This study evaluates the utility of endoscopy for retrolabyrinthine vestibular nerve section (RLVNS).

Design/Setting This is a retrospective review for RLVNSs by the senior author. The endoscope's utility was assessed and assigned a grade based on operative findings.

Participants/Main Outcome Measures Fifteen patients (eight males and seven females; 53 and 47%, respectively) were identified with mean age 56.7 years. Indications included Ménière's disease (MD) in 12 of 15 patients (80%), uncompensated vestibular neuritis in 2 patients (13%), and other vestibular neuropathy in 1 patient (7%). Vertigo resolved in 14 of 15 patients (93%). Complications included decreased hearing in two patients (13%) and deep venous thrombosis in one patient (7%). There were no facial nerve complications or mortalities.

Results Sectioning vestibular division of the vestibular–cochlear nerve was achieved without perceived benefit of endoscopy in the 80% of cases (grade 0, n = 12). Endoscopy was helpful in patients with a small mastoid (grade 1, n = 2, 13.3%), and deemed necessary where the flocculus of the cerebellum was adherent to the eighth nerve arachnoid at the porus acusticus (grade 2, n = 1, 6.7%).

Conclusion RLVNS is a safe and efficacious procedure for the treatment of vertigo; the surgical endoscope may be a useful adjunct in selected cases. Patients with MD may expect the greatest benefit from surgery.
Chronic Urinary Retention due to Fowler's Syndrome
Authors: Trachta Jan , Wachter Johann , Kriz Jan
Published: October 2018

Fowler's syndrome (FS) is a rare cause of chronic urinary retention in teenage girls and young women. We present a case of a 14-year-old girl who presented at our hospital 2 weeks after uncomplicated laparoscopic appendectomy. The girl complained of reduced urinary frequency and prolonged micturition time. Following an acute cystitis 2 months later, she completely lost her ability to void. A comprehensive set of investigations to assess the cause of her urinary retention including a cerebral and spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and videourodynamics were performed. The diagnostic workup revealed polycystic ovaries and an asensitive and hypotonic bladder with capacity up to 1200 mL and high maximum urethral pressure of 120 cm of water. She did not tolerate clean intermittent catheterization; therefore, a suprapubic catheter was placed. Under this treatment, she suffered recurrent urinary tract infections. Two years later, she was diagnosed with FS on the basis of the medical history, clinical symptoms, and urodynamic findings. Finally, the implantation of a S3 neurostimulator restored her ability to void.
The evolving response to antibiotic resistance (1945–2018)
Authors: Podolsky Scott H.
Published: October 2018

The intensity and character of concerns about antibiotic resistance, over the past nearly seventy-five years, have depended on a series of linked factors: the evolution and distribution of resistant microbes themselves; our differential capacity and efforts to detect such microbes; evolving models of antibiotic resistance and the related projected impact of antibiotic resistance on medical, social, and economic futures; the linkages of antibiotic prescribing and usage to the prevailing practice and identities of the medical and veterinary professions, and to the practice of agribusiness; the projected capacity of biomedicine (and especially the pharmaceutical industry) to stay ahead of such developing resistance; the perceived global context in which such resistance has developed; and the coordination of efforts and the development of infrastructure and funding to draw attention to and confront such microbial resistance. This paper traces the evolving response to antibiotic resistance through what at this point appear to be five eras: that between 1945 and 1963, a relatively optimistic period during which time the pharmaceutical industry appeared to most as capable of keeping up with antibiotic resistance; that between 1963 and 1981, characterized by increasing concern (though limited reformist activity) in the wake of the discovery of the transmission of antibiotic resistance via extrachromosomal plasmids; that between 1981 and 1992, notable for the explicit framing of antibiotic resistance as a shared global problem by such reformers as Stuart Levy and the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics; that from 1992 through 2013, during which time antibiotic resistance became linked to larger concerns regarding emerging infections and received increasing collective attention and funding; and that from 2013 through to the present, with antibiotic resistance still more palpably and publicly embedded within larger concerns over global emerging infections, social justice, and development goals, attracting interest from a diverse cohort of actors.
Influence of wake asymmetry on wind turbine blade aerodynamic and aeroelastic performance in shear/yawed wind
Authors: Chen Jinge , Shen Xin , Zhu Xiaocheng , Du Zhaohui
Published: October 2018

Wind turbines operate in atmospheric shear layer and often in yawed flow condition, which, among others, produce cyclic fluctuating loads on the blades. The unsteady aerodynamics of wind turbine in both shear and yawed wind are studied in the present work. The rotor aeroelastic behaviors considering blade flexibility are also discussed. An advanced aeroelastic model based on free wake lifting surface model and geometrically exact beam theory is established to conduct the study. The aerodynamic simulations show that the wake is asymmetric in both shear and yawed conditions. Comparison is made between the free wake lifting surface model and the skewed wake correction model used in BEM theory for the induced velocity on blade at different azimuth positions. The correction model for yawed flow in BEM theory seems to overpredict the induced velocity variations. The skewed wake induction in yawed condition causes a phase shift of angle of attack variation as a function of azimuth angle, particularly on the outboard of the blade. In addition, the blade aeroelastic deformations are found to further change the phase of circumferential distribution of aerodynamic loads. Rotor moments are influenced by the phase shifts of aerodynamic loads.
Describing dynamics of driven multistable oscillators with phase transfer curves
Authors: Grines Evgeny , Osipov Grigory , Pikovsky Arkady
Published: October 2018

Phase response curve is an important tool in the studies of stable self-sustained oscillations; it describes a phase shift under action of an external perturbation. We consider multistable oscillators with several stable limit cycles. Under a perturbation, transitions from one oscillating mode to another one may occur. We define phase transfer curves to describe the phase shifts at such transitions. This allows for a construction of one-dimensional maps that characterize periodically kicked multistable oscillators. We show that these maps are good approximations of the full dynamics for large periods of forcing.
The dilation aided single–line–of–sight x–ray camera for the National Ignition Facility: Characterization and fielding
Authors: Nagel S. R. , Carpenter A. C. , Park J. , Dayton M. S. , Bell P. M. , Bradley D. K. , Funsten B. T. , Hatch B. W. , Heerey S. , Hill J. M. , Holder J. P. , Hurd E. R. , Macaraeg C. C. , Patel P. B. , Petre R. B. , Piston K. , Trosseille C. A. , Engelhorn K. , Hilsabeck T. J. , Chung T. M. , Dymoke-Bradshaw A. K. L. , Hares J. D. , Claus L. D. , England T. D. , Mitchell B. B. , Porter J. L. , Robertson G. , Sanchez M. O.
Published: October 2018

Crystal x–ray imaging is frequently used in inertial confinement fusion and laser-plasma interaction applications as it has advantages compared to pinhole imaging, such as higher signal throughput, better achievable spatial resolution, and chromatic selection. However, currently used x–ray detectors are only able to obtain a single time resolved image per crystal. The dilation aided single–line–of–sight x–ray camera described here was designed for the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and combines two recent diagnostic developments, the pulse dilation principle used in the dilation x-ray imager and a ns–scale multi-frame camera that uses a hold and readout circuit for each pixel. This enables multiple images to be taken from a single–line–of–sight with high spatial and temporal resolution. At the moment, the instrument can record two single–line–of–sight images with spatial and temporal resolution of 35 μm and down to 35 ps, respectively, with a planned upgrade doubling the number of images to four. Here we present the dilation aided single–line–of–sight camera for the NIF, including the x–ray characterization measurements obtained at the COMET laser, as well as the results from the initial timing shot on the NIF.
Granular flows in a rotating drum and on an inclined plane: Analytical and numerical solutions
Authors: Meng Xiannan , Wang Yongqi , Feng Feng , Wang Chun , Zhou Yunlai
Published: October 2018

Snow avalanches and debris flows can be characterized by dry granular and grain-liquid mixture flows down a slope. To describe such flows, we investigate a dry granular flow in a rotating drum that follows the sense of the flow down an infinitely long slope and a semi-infinite volume of the grain-liquid mixture flow down an inclined plane that is a simplified but helpful configuration for debris flows by means of analytical tools and direct numerical simulation. Particularly, a semi-exact solution at the steady state can be achieved in a dry granular flow in a rotating drum. Such a solution can provide intuitively reasonable results and can reproduce an asymmetry profile for the depth commonly observed in the experiment. A direct numerical simulation from a static initial state until the steady state is performed further by applying a high-resolution non-oscillatory scheme to investigate more complex transient behaviours and verify the semi-exact solution derived here. Furthermore, for the case of a grain-liquid mixture flow down an inclined plane, an analytical solution has been derived by combining characteristic method with similarity transformation. The phenomenon that the mass bodies of debris flows are constantly stretched can be accounted for by the analytical solution. Additionally, it is found that the elongated phenomenon is not affected by the granular bed friction angle, but it is affected by the slope angle. Furthermore, a direct simulation is performed as well to enhance understanding and verify the analytical solution.
Do CCSD and approximate CCSD-F12 variants converge to the same basis set limits? The case of atomization energies
Authors: Kesharwani Manoj K. , Sylvetsky Nitai , Köhn Andreas , Tew David P. , Martin Jan M. L.
Published: October 2018

While the title question is a clear “yes” from purely theoretical arguments, the case is less clear for practical calculations with finite (one-particle) basis sets. To shed further light on this issue, the convergence to the basis set limit of CCSD (coupled cluster theory with all single and double excitations) and of different approximate implementations of CCSD-F12 (explicitly correlated CCSD) has been investigated in detail for the W4-17 thermochemical benchmark. Near the CBS ([1-particle] complete basis set) limit, CCSD and CCSD(F12*) agree to within their respective uncertainties (about ±0.04 kcal/mol) due to residual basis set incompleteness error, but a nontrivial difference remains between CCSD-F12b and CCSD(F12*), which is roughly proportional to the degree of static correlation. The observed basis set convergence behavior results from the superposition of a rapidly converging, attractive, CCSD[F12]–CCSD-F12b difference (consisting mostly of third-order terms) and a more slowly converging, repulsive, fourth-order difference between CCSD(F12*) and CCSD[F12]. For accurate thermochemistry, we recommend CCSD(F12*) over CCSD-F12b if at all possible. There are some indications that the nZaPa family of basis sets exhibits somewhat smoother convergence than the correlation consistent family.
Flexible and transparent IWO films prepared by plasma arc ion plating for flexible perovskite solar cells
Authors: Kim Jae-Gyeong , Na Seok-In , Kim Han-Ki
Published: October 2018

We investigated flexible W-doped In2O3 (IWO) electrodes prepared by arc plasma ion plating (APIP) as a substitute for sputtered amorphous ITO electrodes in flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs). In spite of the room temperature ion plating process, the APIP-grown IWO film showed a low sheet resistance of 37.14 Ohm/square, a high optical transmittance of 96.0%, high near IR transmittance, and a small bending radius of 5 mm. In addition, the IWO film shows an atomically smooth surface with a root mean square roughness of 0.83 nm due to the absence of the resputtering effect during the ion plating process. The FPSC with the ion-plated IWO electrode showed comparable performances to a commercial amorphous ITO electrode in an FPSC with an open circuit voltage (0.837 V), short circuit current (18.67 mA/cm2), fill factor (72.54%), and power conversion efficiency (11.33%). Moreover, the microstructure and interfacial structure of the APIP-grown IWO film employed in a FPSC were examined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and the sheet resistance of the IWO films was correlated to the FPSC performance.
Communication: Approaching exact quantum chemistry by cluster analysis of full configuration interaction quantum Monte Carlo wave functions
Authors: Deustua J. Emiliano , Magoulas Ilias , Shen Jun , Piecuch Piotr
Published: October 2018

We propose to accelerate convergence toward full configuration interaction (FCI) energetics by using the coupled-cluster approach, in which singly and doubly excited clusters, needed to determine the energy, are iterated in the presence of their three- and four-body counterparts extracted from FCI quantum Monte Carlo (FCIQMC) propagations. Preliminary calculations for the water molecule at the equilibrium and stretched geometries show that we can accurately extrapolate the FCI energetics based on the early stages of FCIQMC propagations.
New Products
Authors: Mandelis Andreas
Published: October 2018

In order to supplement manufacturers’ information, this Department will welcome the submission by our readers of brief communications reporting measurements on the physical properties of materials which supersede earlier data or suggest new research applications.
The roles of methyl jasmonate to stress in plants
Authors: Yu Xiaxia , Zhang Wenjin , Zhang Yu , Zhang Xiaojia , Lang Duoyong , Zhang Xinhui
Published: October 2018

Plants are constantly exposed to various stresses, which can degrade their health. The stresses can be alleviated by the application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA), which is a hormone involved in plant signalling. MeJA induces synthesis of defensive compounds and initiates the expression of pathogenesis-related genes involved in systemic acquired resistance and local resistance. Thus, MeJA may be used against pathogens, salt stress, drought stress, low temperature, heavy metal stress and toxicities of other elements. The application of MeJA improves growth, induces the accumulation of active compounds, and affects endogenous hormones levels, and other physiological and biochemical characteristics in stressed plants. Furthermore, MeJA antagonises the adverse effects of osmotic stress by regulating inorganic penetrating ions or organic penetrants to suppress the absorption of toxic ions. MeJA also mitigates oxidative stress by activating antioxidant systems to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) in stressed plants. For these reasons, we reviewed the use of exogenous MeJA in alleviating biotic (pathogens and insects) and abiotic stresses in plants.
Supporting Young Children's Literacy Learning through Home-School Partnerships: The Effectiveness of a Home Repeated-Reading Intervention
Authors: Hindin Alisa , Paratore Jeanne R.
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a home repeated-reading intervention on the reading achievement of eight low-performing second-grade children in an urban school by taking into consideration their need to develop automaticity and the role their parents play in this process. Specifically we posed the following questions: Does participation in a home repeated reading intervention improve children's (a) reading accuracy, (b) reading fluency, and (c) reading skills on an independent reading task? When parents participate in a home repeated reading intervention, (a) what word-study strategies do they use to support their children's reading and (b) how do the strategies they use influence children's subsequent word errors? A multiple-baseline across-subjects design and a pre-post design were used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Results indicated that all participants made substantially fewer reading errors during the intervention as compared to their performance on baseline stories. All participants demonstrated decreased error rates from the first to the last reading of stories, and significant fluency gains were evident in all cases when comparing mean baseline fluency with mean intervention fluency. All participants made considerable gains in fluency from the first to the last reading of each story, and all children improved on an independent reading measure. All participants read more than 10,000 words during the home intervention. Parents monitored their children's home reading. Four parents provided substantial word-level support, and the children who received this support made fewer repeated reading errors.

The children who begin school with full, or nearly full, literacy pocketbooks, in terms of the dominant literacy Discourse, will consistently and inevitably outperform, outlearn, and outscore those children who arrive at the school door with considerably less. While it is the responsibility of the schools to teach what is needed, programs that focus on increasing the level and degree of literacy in the homes of children have begun and are desperately needed. (Purcell-Gates, 1995, pp. 198–199)
Reading Shop Windows in Globalized Neighborhoods: Multilingual Literacy Practices and Indexicality
Authors: Collins James , Slembrouck Stef
Published: October 2018

Shop and café signs in multiple languages are familiar features of polyglot immigrant neighborhoods. This paper examines such signs, presenting photographic, observational, and interview data from a multisited ethnographic study of language contact in Ghent, an urban Belgian city. Drawing upon diverse ethnographic sources, especially the comparative readings of foreign, immigrant, and native adults, we analyze signs and notices in several immigrant neighborhoods as (a) literacy practices, attending to their contexts of use as well as to their interpretations, and as (b) examples of indexical orders and orders of discourse, asking what hierarchical frames of interpretation and evaluation are brought to bear on the reading of such signs. Our findings show that shop signs and notices are complex indexes of source, addressee, and community, which are manifest in different readers' interpretations. The overall argument addresses several general points: that the study of indexicality helps conceptualize and analyze the rich and unexpectedly broad frames of interpretation readers bring to situated multilingual texts; that concepts of indexical or discursive order contribute to our understanding of multilingual literacy practices in situations of globalized locality; and that, conversely, the study of literacy practices reveals unexpected dimensions of Late Modern discursive orders.
A20-binding inhibitor of NF-κB (ABIN) 2 negatively regulates allergic airway inflammation
Authors: Ventura Sonia , Cano Florencia , Kannan Yashaswini , Breyer Felix , Pattison Michael J. , Wilson Mark S. , Ley Steven C.
Published: October 2018

TPL-2 MAP 3-kinase promotes inflammation in numerous mouse disease models and is an attractive anti-inflammatory drug target. However, TPL-2–deficient (Map3k8−/−) mice develop exacerbated allergic airway inflammation to house dust mite (HDM) compared with wild type controls. Here, we show that Map3k8D270A/D270A mice expressing kinase dead TPL-2 had an unaltered response to HDM, indicating that the severe airway inflammation observed in Map3k8−/− mice is not due to blockade of TPL-2 signaling and rather reflects a TPL-2 adaptor function. Severe allergic inflammation in TPL-2–deficient mice was likely due to reduced levels of ABIN-2 (TNIP2), whose stability depends on TPL-2 expression. Tnip2E256K knock-in mutation, which reduced ABIN-2 binding to A20, augmented the HDM-induced airway inflammation, but did not affect TPL-2 expression or signaling. These results identify ABIN-2 as a novel negative regulator of allergic airway responses and importantly indicate that TPL-2 inhibitors would not have unwanted allergic comorbidities.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis–induced IFN-β production requires cytosolic DNA and RNA sensing pathways
Authors: Cheng Yong , Schorey Jeffrey S.
Published: October 2018

RNA sensing pathways are key elements in a host immune response to viral pathogens, but little is known of their importance during bacterial infections. We found that Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) actively releases RNA into the macrophage cytosol using the mycobacterial SecA2 and ESX-1 secretion systems. The cytosolic M.tb RNA induces IFN-β production through the host RIG-I/MAVS/IRF7 RNA sensing pathway. The inducible expression of IRF7 within infected cells requires an autocrine signaling through IFN-β and its receptor, and this early IFN-β production is dependent on STING and IRF3 activation. M.tb infection studies using Mavs−/− mice support a role for RNA sensors in regulating IFN-β production and bacterial replication in vivo. Together, our data indicate that M.tb RNA is actively released during an infection and promotes IFN-β production through a regulatory mechanism involving cross-talk between DNA and RNA sensor pathways, and our data support the hypothesis that bacterial RNA can drive a host immune response.
Does Trade Policy Impact Food and Agriculture Global Value Chain Participation of Sub‐Saharan African Countries?
Authors: Balié Jean , Del Prete Davide , Magrini Emiliano , Montalbano Pierluigi , Nenci Silvia
Published: October 2018

The emergence of food and agriculture global value chains (GVCs) is challenging the way scholars look at trade data, as well as how policy makers establish their trade policies. The common perception is that Sub‐Saharan African (SSA) countries, unlike most Latin American and Asian countries, are not deeply integrated into global production networks. Consequently, it is believed that the border protection policies of the former may have a limited impact on GVC participation. This paper challenges this conventional knowledge in two ways. First, by decomposing bilateral gross export into its value added components, we show that the sectoral and bilateral SSA participation in GVC for food and agriculture is substantial. Second, we demonstrate that trade policies impact backward and forward value chain linkages. These results call for a refinement of trade policy priorities in SSA.