bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Covariation between temporal interlanguage features and nonverbal event categorisation
Authors: Vanek Norbert , Selinker Larry
Published: September 2017

This study tests how patterns of temporal reference in the linguistic expression of advanced Chinese learners of English co-vary with their nonverbal event categorisation. 42 learners were asked to retell videos with achievement-type events and activities in English. Results from expression showed pronounced crosslinguistic influence in learners’ infrequent combination of ongoingness with achievements, when compared with the English controls. Categorisation data signals that L1-modulated preferences also underlie learners’ nonverbal judgements. Crucially, the main new finding is covariation between the frequency of combined forms in learners’ retellings and how close their overall categorisation choices are to the target control group’s.
Paradigm shift: cognitive surgery
Authors: Kenngott Hannes G. , Apitz Martin , Wagner Martin , Preukschas Anas A. , Speidel Stefanie , Müller-Stich Beat Peter
Published: September 2017

In the last hundred years surgery has experienced a dramatic increase of scientific knowledge and innovation. The need to consider best available evidence and to apply technical innovations, such as minimally invasive approaches, challenges the surgeon both intellectually and manually. In order to overcome this challenge, computer scientists and surgeons within the interdisciplinary field of “cognitive surgery” explore and innovate new ways of data processing and management. This article gives a general overview of the topic and outlines selected pre-, intra- and postoperative applications. It explores the possibilities of new intelligent devices and software across the entire treatment process of patients ending in the consideration of an “Intelligent Hospital” or “Hospital 4.0”, in which the borders between IT infrastructures, medical devices, medical personnel and patients are bridged by technology. Thereby, the “Hospital 4.0” is an intelligent system, which gives the right information, at the right time, at the right place to the individual stakeholder and thereby helps to decrease complications and improve clinical processes as well as patient outcome.
Surgical data processing for smart intraoperative assistance systems
Authors: Stauder Ralf , Ostler Daniel , Vogel Thomas , Wilhelm Dirk , Koller Sebastian , Kranzfelder Michael , Navab Nassir
Published: September 2017

Different components of the newly defined field of surgical data science have been under research at our groups for more than a decade now. In this paper, we describe our sensor-driven approaches to workflow recognition without the need for explicit models, and our current aim is to apply this knowledge to enable context-aware surgical assistance systems, such as a unified surgical display and robotic assistance systems. The methods we evaluated over time include dynamic time warping, hidden Markov models, random forests, and recently deep neural networks, specifically convolutional neural networks.
Possible modulation of PPAR-γ cascade against depression caused by neuropathic pain in rats
Authors: Garg Shanky , Deshmukh Vishwajit Ravindra , Prasoon Pranav
Published: September 2017

Background:

Sciatic nerve ligation causes neuropathic pain with chronic constriction injury (CCI). However, there is no published report on the effect of pioglitazone as an antidepressant in the treatment of depression induced by neuropathic pain with CCI in rats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pioglitazone as an antidepressant by targeting oxidative stress by the peripheral neuropathic pain model using the CCI of the sciatic nerve.

Methods:

Behavioral studies were carried out to measure thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia as markers of neuropathic pain and force swim test for depression. These were followed by estimation of biochemical parameters which include lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione, catalase, nitrite and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the rat brains as a measure of oxidative stress. We administered two intraperitoneal doses of pioglitazone (4.5 and 9.0 mg/kg, i.p.) to the treated group for 28 consecutive days from the day of injury and behavioral as well as biochemical evaluations were performed.

Results:

The results suggested that the administration of pioglitazone significantly countered the neuropathic pain induced depression as interpreted through elevated pain threshold of tactile allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia followed by decreased immobility time in the 9.0 mg/kg dose group.

Conclusions:

It may be concluded that the oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and depression as evidenced by the behavioral studies and the changes in the levels of lipid peroxidase, nitrite, catalase, and glutathione and SOD.
Antidiabetic potential of polyphenolic-rich fraction of Tamarindus indica seed coat in alloxan-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Bhadoriya Santosh Singh , Ganeshpurkar Aditya , Bhadoriya Ravi Pratap Singh , Sahu Sanjeev Kumar , Patel Jay Ram
Published: September 2017

Background:

Tamarindus is a monotypic genus and belongs to the subfamily Caesalpinioideae of the family Leguminosae (Fabaceae), Tamarindus indica L., commonly known as Tamarind tree is one of the most important multipurpose tropical fruit tree species in the India, Sudan, Nigeria, Bangladesh and entire subcontinent.

Methods:

Hydroethanolic seed coat extract of Tamarindus indica (HETI) was assessed for presence of phytoconstituents and selection of optimum dose through acute and sub acute toxicity study. The single and multidose (14 days) study were conducted to evaluate antidiabetic potential of HETI in alloxan induced rats via determine of blood glucose level, body weight, hematological profile, extra-pancreatic glucose utilization of isolated rat hemi-diaphragm as well as histopathology of rat pancreas.

Results:

Phytochemical analysis of HETI showed the presence of polyphenol like flavonoids. Single and multidose of HETI significantly (p<0.05; p<0.001) reduced blood glucose level in normoglycaemic, glucose loaded and alloxan induced hyperglycaemic animals. HETI exerts the protective effect on pancreatic β-cells as per results obtained from histopathology of animals. Moreover, HETI increased glucose uptake in isolated rat hemi-diaphragm and prevents decrease in body weight along with recovery of altered hematological parameters.

Conclusions:

The study revealed that HETI have potent hypoglycaemic action by virtue of its phytoconstituents and it can be used as a herbal medicine for diabetes.
The National Capabilities for Animal Response in Emergencies (NCARE) Study: An Assessment of US States and Counties
Authors: Spain C. Victor , Green R.C. , Davis Lacie , Miller Gregory S. , Britt Susan
Published: September 2017

Communities with well-developed animal response plans, along with trained and equipped animal response teams, are typically better able to protect resident livestock and companion animals during a disaster, with fewer animals lost, higher human evacuation compliance rates, and a greater percentage of pets staying with their families. The NCARE Study is a cross-sectional descriptive survey designed to assess, among US states and counties, the level of preparedness for managing animals in an emergency. Overall, 65% of participating states (31/48) reported having a State Animal Response Team (SART), while 48% (16/33) of counties with >1 million population (large counties) and 23% (131/565) of a random sample of counties with <1 million population (small counties) reported having a County Animal Response Team (CART). Only 50% of small counties reported having plans for collocated or cohabitational emergency shelters, compared to 73% of states and 80% of large counties. In stratified analyses, the proportion of counties with a CART ranged from 2% in FEMA Region X to 69% in Region II. Our results demonstrate that many regions of the US have taken some important initial steps towards establishing the capabilities necessary for managing animals in a disaster, while other regions have areas for improvement.
Global Research Trends of Intuitionistic Fuzzy Set: A Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: He Xiaorong , Wu Yingyu
Published: September 2017

Despite the fast growth of intuitionistic fuzzy publications, only a small part of these groundbreaking researches have significantly impacted the field. The main purpose of this paper was to identify and investigate the 100 most cited publications in the intuitionistic fuzzy field. Topic search based on the keyword “intuitionistic fuzzy” in the Science Citation Index and Social Sciences Citation Index databases was conducted to identify the 100 most cited articles. Bibliometric analysis methods were employed to describe these articles from different angles, such as the citation amount and rate, distribution among journals, institutions and countries/regions, author frequency, and citation distribution over time. This paper provides an insight on the characteristics of the highly cited intuitionistic fuzzy publications. The achievements of this study may provide useful information for researchers in the fields related to intuitionistic fuzzy.
Fieldwork Monitoring for the European Social Survey: An illustration with Belgium and the Czech Republic in Round 7
Authors: Vandenplas Caroline , Loosveldt Geert , Beullens Koen
Published: September 2017

Adaptive and responsive survey designs rely on monitoring indicators based on paradata. This process can better inform fieldwork management if the indicators are paired with a benchmark, which relies on empirical information collected in the first phase of the fieldwork or, for repeated or longitudinal surveys, in previous rounds or waves. We propose the “fieldwork power” (fieldwork production per time unit) as an indicator for monitoring, and we simulate this for the European Social Survey (ESS) Round 7 in Belgium and in the Czech Republic. We operationalize the fieldwork power as the weekly number of completed interviews and of contacts, the ratio of the number of completed interviews to the number of contact attempts and to the number of refusals. We use a repeated measurement multilevel model, with surveys in the previous rounds of the European Social Survey as the macro level and the weekly fieldwork power as repeated measurements to create benchmarks. We also monitor effort and data quality metrics. The results show how problems in the fieldwork evolution can be detected by monitoring the fieldwork power and by comparing it with the benchmarks. The analysis also proves helpful regarding post-survey fieldwork evaluation, and links effort, productivity, and data quality.
Responsive Survey Designs for Reducing Nonresponse Bias
Authors: Brick J. Michael , Tourangeau Roger
Published: September 2017

Survey researchers have been investigating alternative approaches to reduce data collection costs while mitigating the risk of nonresponse bias or to produce more accurate estimates within the same budget. Responsive or adaptive design has been suggested as one means for doing this. Falling survey response rates and the need to find effective ways of implementing responsive design has focused attention on the relationship between response rates and nonresponse bias. In our article, we re-examine the data compiled by Groves and Peytcheva (2008) in their influential article and show there is an important between-study component of variance in addition to the within-study variance highlighted in the original analysis. We also show that theory implies that raising response rates can help reduce the nonresponse bias on average across the estimates within a study. We then propose a typology of response propensity models that help explain the empirical findings, including the relative weak relationship between nonresponse rates and nonresponse bias. Using these results, we explore when responsive design tools such as switching modes, giving monetary incentives, and increasing the level of effort are likely to be effective. We conclude with some comments on the use of responsive design and weighting to control nonresponse bias.
Using Response Propensity Models to Improve the Quality of Response Data in Longitudinal Studies
Authors: Plewis Ian , Shlomo Natalie
Published: September 2017

We review two approaches for improving the response in longitudinal (birth cohort) studies based on response propensity models: strategies for sample maintenance in longitudinal studies and improving the representativeness of the respondents over time through interventions. Based on estimated response propensities, we examine the effectiveness of different re-issuing strategies using Representativity Indicators (R-indicators). We also combine information from the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve with a cost function to determine an optimal cut point for the propensity not to respond in order to target interventions efficiently at cases least likely to respond. We use the first four waves of the UK Millennium Cohort Study to illustrate these methods. Our results suggest that it is worth re-issuing to the field nonresponding cases from previous waves although re-issuing refusals might not be the best use of resources. Adapting the sample to target subgroups for re-issuing from wave to wave will improve the representativeness of response. However, in situations where discrimination between respondents and nonrespondents is not strong, it is doubtful whether specific interventions to reduce nonresponse will be cost effective.
The Implications of Alternative Allocation Criteria in Adaptive Design for Panel Surveys
Authors: Kaminska Olena , Lynn Peter
Published: September 2017

Adaptive survey designs can be used to allocate sample elements to alternative data collection protocols in order to achieve a desired balance between some quality measure and survey costs. We compare four alternative methods for allocating sample elements to one of two data collection protocols. The methods differ in terms of the quality measure that they aim to optimize: response rate, R-indicator, coefficient of variation of the participation propensities, or effective sample size. Costs are also compared for a range of sample sizes. The data collection protocols considered are CAPI single-mode and web-CAPI sequential mixed-mode. We use data from a large experiment with random allocation to one of these two protocols. For each allocation method we predict outcomes in terms of several quality measures and costs. Although allocating the whole sample to single-mode CAPI produces a higher response rate than allocating the whole sample to the mixed-mode protocol, we find that two of the targeted allocations achieve a better response rate than single-mode CAPI at a lower cost. We also find that all four of the targeted designs out-perform both single-protocol designs in terms of representativity and effective sample size. For all but the smallest sample sizes, the adaptive designs bring cost savings relative to CAPI-only, though these are fairly modest in magnitude.
Investigating Adaptive Nonresponse Follow-up Strategies for Small Businesses through Embedded Experiments
Authors: Thompson Katherine Jenny , Kaputa Stephen J.
Published: September 2017

The U.S. Census Bureau is investigating adaptive Nonresponse Follow-Up (NRFU) strategies for single unit businesses in the 2017 Economic Census. These collection protocols require a suite of viable alternative procedures that can be implemented. With business surveys, the majority of cognitive research and nonresponse follow-up procedures focus on collection methods that obtain valid response data from the larger businesses, and there is relatively little quantitative or qualitative research for small businesses. Moreover, the contact methods for small businesses are often constrained by budget limitations. Business programs at the U.S. Census Bureau rely on mailed reminder letters and supplemental promotional materials, with options for certified and bulk mailings. To explore the benefits and disadvantages of the proposed alternative nonresponse follow-up procedures for small businesses, we conducted a field experiment embedded in the 2014 Annual Survey of Manufactures, an annual program that has similar data collection procedures and sampling units as the Economic Census. This article describes the study and presents the results, then discusses how the recommended nonresponse follow-up procedures are implemented in an adaptive collection design test presently being conducted in the 2015 Annual Survey of Manufactures.
Type 3 renal tubular acidosis associated with growth hormone deficiency
Authors: Liew Yin Ping , Rogers Timothy A. , Garb Jane L. , Allen Holley F. , Reiter Edward O. , Campfield Thomas J. , Dharnidharka Vikas R. , Braden Gregory L.
Published: September 2017

Background:

We identified two boys with type 3 renal tubular acidosis (RTA) and growth hormone deficiency and we sought to differentiate them from children with classic type 1 distal RTA.

Methods:

We reviewed all children <6 years of age with RTA referred over a 13-year period and compared the growth response to alkali therapy in these two boys and in 28 children with only type 1 distal RTA.

Results:

All children with type 1 RTA reached the 5th percentile or higher on CDC growth charts within 2 years of alkali therapy. Their mean height standard deviation score (SDS) improved from −1.4 to −0.6 SDS and their mean mid-parental height (MPH) SDS improved from −0.6 to 0 SDS after 2 years. In contrast, the boys with growth hormone deficiency had a height SDS of −1.4 and −2.4 SDS after 2 years of alkali and the MPH SDS were both −2.6 SDS after 2 years of alkali therapy. Growth hormone therapy accelerated their growth to normal levels and led to long-term correction of RTA.

Conclusions:

A child with type 1 RTA whose height response after 2 years of alkali therapy is inadequate should undergo provocative growth hormone testing.
Body weight misperception and health-related factors among Iranian children and adolescents: the CASPIAN-V study
Authors: Angoorani Pooneh , Heshmat Ramin , Ejtahed Hanieh-Sadat , Qorbani Mostafa , Motlagh Mohammad Esmaeil , Ziaodini Hasan , Taheri Majzoubeh , Shafiee Gita , Ahadi Zeinab , Aminaee Tahereh , Kelishadi Roya
Published: September 2017

Background:

Along with increased prevalence of obesity, body weight misperception has also increased among adolescents. This study aims to evaluate the proportion of weight misperception among Iranian children and adolescents and its association with some health-related factors.

Methods:

Data were collected from 14,440 Iranian students, aged 7–18 years, who participated in the national school-based surveillance program (CASPIAN-V). The students’ anthropometric indices and blood pressure were measured using standardized methods, and valid questionnaires were used to assess their weight perception, eating patterns, physical activity and sedentary behaviors. According to agreements between the real weight and self-perceived weight status, participants were classified as underestimated, accurate and overestimated weight.

Results:

The rates of underestimated, accurate and overestimated weight were 30.8%, 40.8% and 28.4%, respectively. In comparison with the accurate-weight group, both the underestimated- and overestimated-weight groups were less likely to have daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.74–0.93 and OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.34–0.44, respectively), sweets (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73–0.90 and OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.61–0.76, respectively) and salty snacks (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.66–0.92 and OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.24–0.38, respectively). In the overestimated-weight group, the odds of daily intake of fast food decreased by 67% and the odds of low physical activity declined by 38% in comparison with the accurate-weight group.

Conclusions:

Weight misperception had a high prevalence among Iranian children and adolescents and is associated with their dietary patterns and physical activity behaviors. Suitable education programs need to be developed to correct the children and adolescents’ insight about their weight status.
Investigating of a wide range of concentrations of multi-walled carbon nanotubes on germination and growth of castor seeds (Ricinus communis L.)
Authors: Fathi Zahra , Khavari Nejad Ramazan-Ali , Mahmoodzadeh Homa , Satari Taher Nejad
Published: September 2017

Carbon nanotubes act as regulators of plant germination and growth and are able to change the morphology and physiology of plant cells. The castor plant (Ricinus communis L.) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is a very important medicinal plant. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 10 different concentrations of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 75, 100, 125, 250 and 500 μg · ml−1) alongside the control under laboratory conditions on the germination and growth of castor seedlings. The results demonstrated that the maximum percentage of germination (96.7%) and relative germination percentage (100%) were found in the concentrations of 50 and 100 μg · ml−1, respectively, and the highest germination rate (53.3%) and the mean germination time (4.6 days) was seen in the concentration of 75 μg · ml−1. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the different concentrations in any of the germination factors. In the concentration of 100 μg · ml−1, there was a significant increase in the seedling vigor index I (400) when compared with the concentrations of 5 and 10 μg · ml−1. The maximum seedling vigor index II (11.3) was found in the concentration of 100 μg · ml−1 and was significantly different from the control and all applied concentrations. The length of radicle in the 100 and 125 μg · ml−1 had a significant increase when compared with the control and the concentrations of 10 and 50 μg · ml−1. The maximum seedling length (4.6 cm) was seen in the concentration of 100 μg · ml−1 where there was a significant increase with 10 μg · ml−1. Moreover, in the 100 μg · ml−1 concentration, the largest number of rootlets (8.6) was seen and when compared with the control and concentrations of 5, 10 and 50 μg · ml−1, there was a statistically significant increase. The maximum wet weight (0.3 g) and dry weight (0.1 g) of seedlings were obtained in the concentration of 100 μg · ml−1 and when compared with the control, there was a significant increase. It was found that in all factors related to the growth of seedlings, the concentrations of 10 and 50 MWCNTs had an inhibitory effect on the response index. The MWCNTs concentration of 100 μg · ml−1 was considered as the optimum concentration in the growth stage of castor seedlings.
Detection of nivalenol and deoxynivalenol chemotypes produced by Fusarium graminearum species complex isolated from barley in Iran using specific PCR assays
Authors: Chehri Khosrow , Godini Rasoul
Published: September 2017

In order to identify trichothecenes chemotypes produced byFusarium graminearumspecies complex (FGSC) isolated from barley, 68 barley samples were collected from markets in Kermanshah and Hamedan provinces, Iran. Thirty-oneFusariumisolates were obtained from grains and morphologically classified into three species FGSC (14),F. equiseti(9), andF. proliferatum(8). The identification of the members of FGSC was confirmed molecularly using Fg16F/Fg16R primers.Fusarium asiaticumisolates (4) were distinguished from other FGSC using Fg6CTPSf177/Fg16R primers. Polymerase chain reaction-based (PCRbased) detection of mycotoxin-synthesis-pathway gene was also used to determine the potential of the analysed strains to produce deoxynivalenol (DON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-AcDON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON), and nivalenol (NIV). Of 14 tested isolates, 10 and 4 isolates belonged to DON and NIV chemotype, respectively. Also, the results of DON chemotype survey using specific primers MinusTri7F/R and Tri315F/R showed 1 and 9 isolates produced 3-AcDON and 15-AcDON, respectively. These results show that DON was the most common chemotype in western Iran. To our knowledge, this is the first report on 15-AcDON, 3-AcDON, and NIV isolated from barley in Iran.
The use of expanded clay aggregate for the pretreatment of surface waters on the example of a tributary of Lake Klasztorne Górne in Strzelce Krajeńskie
Authors: Łopata Michał , Czerniejewski Przemysław , Wiśniewski Grzegorz , Czerniawski Robert , Drozdowski Jakub
Published: September 2017

The paper presents a proposal for the treatment of river water based on expanded clay (ceramsite). It is a lightweight mineral aggregate containing components relative to phosphorus adsorption (calcium, iron, manganese, aluminum). A pilot plant on a fractional technical scale was built on a nutrient rich (phosphorus up to 0.4 mg dm−3, nitrogen up to 10.0 mg dm−3), small (mean annual flow about 0.04 m3 s−1), natural watercourse (Młynówka River, a tributary of the Otok Channel, Noteć basin, the municipality of Strzelce Krajeńskie). The monitoring included quantitative and qualitative measurements of the water stream in 2014-2015. On the basis of the examinations, the calculated effectiveness of ceramsite filters in removing major contaminants from water was: for total nitrogen 5-6%, phosphorus 12-16%, and for suspensions 17-29%. The effectiveness of the treatment is highly influenced by hydraulic load, so this type application on a full-scale should occupy a sufficiently large volume. Taking into account simplicity of performance, ease of operation and low cost of construction and maintenance, such pretreatment plants based on expanded clay would seem to be a promising tool for the protection of surface waters in catchments of small rivers and streams.
Selected anionic and cationic surface active agents: case study on the Kłodnica sediments
Authors: Olkowska Ewa , Ruman Marek , Drąg-Śmigalska Magdalena , Polkowska Żaneta
Published: September 2017

Surface active agents (surfactants) are a group of chemical compounds, which are used as ingredients of detergents, cleaning products, cosmetics and functional products. After use, wastes containing surfactants or their degradation products are discharged to wastewater treatment plants or directly into surface waters. Due to their specific properties of SAAs, compounds are able to migrate between different environmental compartments such as soil, sediment, water or even living organisms and accumulate there. Surfactants can have a harmful effect on living organisms. They can connect with bioactive molecules and modify their function. Additionally, they have the ability to migrate into cells and cause their damage or death. For these reasons investigation of individual surfactants should be conducted. The presented research has been undertaken to obtain information about SAA contamination of sediment from the River Kłodnica catchment caused by selected anionic (linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS C10-C13)) and cationic (alkylbenzyldimethylammonium (BDMA-C12-16), alkyl trimethyl ammonium (DTMA), hexadecyl piridinium chloride (HP) chlorides) surfactants. This river flows through an area of the Upper Silesia Industrial Region where various companies and other institutions (e.g. coal mining, power plants, metallurgy, hospitals) are located. To determine their concentration the following analytical tools have been applied: accelerated solvent extraction– solid phase extraction – high performance liquid chromatography – UV-Vis (anionic SAAs) and conductivity (cationic SAAs) detectors. In all sediments anionic SAAs have been detected. The concentrations of HTMA and BDMA-C16 in tested samples were higher than other cationic analytes. Generally, levels of surfactants with longer alkyl chains were higher and this observation can confirm their higher susceptibility to sorption on solid surfaces.
Morphogenetic diagnosis of developmental changes of Sea arrowgrass fruit (Triglochin maritima L.)
Authors: Toma Cezary , Efremov Andrew N. , Josefowska Wioleta
Published: September 2017

The aim of the study was to investigate the morphogenesis of particular developmental stages of T. maritima fruits; from the stage of the bud to the ripe fruit with the use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM), to learn about the morphology and anatomy of ripe fruit, find new diagnostic features of the fruits and verify T. maritima. fruit diagnosis. An optic microscope and Met - Ilo 8 image analyzer were used in the research. In the final part of the research, the occurrence of two diagnostic features was confirmed and seven new diagnostic features of ripe T. maritima fruit were demonstrated. The morphological development of T. maritima fruits is characterized by significant qualitative and quantitative changes of diagnostic value. The range of the changes in the size of T. maritima generative structures is well characterized by the data obtained from the image analyzer. T. maritima fruit diagnosis: dry, indehiscent achene partly syncarpic.
Convergence and stability of generalized φ-weak contraction mapping in CAT(0) spaces
Authors: Kim Kyung Soo
Published: September 2017

The aim of this paper is to prove some fixed point results for generalized φ-weak contraction mapping and study a new concept of stability which is called comparably almost T-stable by using iterative schemes in CAT(0) spaces.
On generalized Ehresmann semigroups
Authors: Wang Shoufeng
Published: September 2017

As a generalization of the class of inverse semigroups, the class of Ehresmann semigroups is introduced by Lawson and investigated by many authors extensively in the literature. In particular, Gomes and Gould construct a fundamental Ehresmann semigroup CE from a semilattice E which plays for Ehresmann semigroups the role that TE plays for inverse semigroups, where TE is the Munn semigroup of a semilattice E. From a varietal perspective, Ehresmann semigroups are derived from reduction of inverse semigroups. In this paper, from varietal perspective Ehresmann semigroups are extended to generalized Ehresmann semigroups derived instead from normal orthodox semigroups (i.e. regular semigroups whose idempotents form normal bands) with an inverse transversal. We present here a semigroup C(I,Λ,E∘) from an admissible triple (I, Λ, E∘) that plays for generalized Ehresmann semigroups the role that CE from a semilattice E plays for Ehresmann semigroups. More precisely, we show that a semigroup is a fundamental generalized Ehresmann semigroup whose admissible triple is isomorphic to (I, Λ, E∘) if and only if it is (2,1,1,1)-isomorphic to a quasi-full (2,1,1,1)-subalgebra of C(I,Λ,E∘). Our results generalize and enrich some results of Fountain, Gomes and Gould on weakly E-hedges semigroups and Ehresmann semigroups.
The crystal structures of two 2-methoxycarbonylethyltin trichloride adducts
Authors: Guo Minghui , Lin Yichao , Yao Yanze , Tian Laijin
Published: September 2017

The crystal structures of two adducts of 2-methoxycarbonylethyltin trichloride with hexamethylphosphoryltriamide (HMPA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), CH
Synthesis and crystal structure of a new 1D Pb(II) coordination polymer constructed from phenylsuccinic acid
Authors: Zhang Li-Ping , Lv Lu-Lu , Li Wen-Jing , Yang Hong-Ming , Cheng Yuan-Zheng
Published: September 2017

A new one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer, [Pb
Torsor Theory of Physical Quantities and their Measurement
Authors: Domotor Zoltan
Published: September 2017

The principal objective of this paper is to provide a torsor theory of physical quantities and basic operations thereon. Torsors are introduced in a bottom-up fashion as actions of scale transformation groups on spaces of unitized quantities. In contrast, the shortcomings of other accounts of quantities that proceed in a top-down axiomatic manner are also discussed. In this paper, quantities are presented as dual counterparts of physical states. States serve as truth-makers of metrological statements about quantity values and are crucial in specifying alternative measurement units for base quantities. For illustration and ease of presentation, the classical notions of length, time, and instantaneous velocity are used as primordial examples. It is shown how torsors provide an effective description of the structure of quantities, systems of quantities, and transformations between them. Using the torsor framework, time-dependent quantities and their unitized derivatives are also investigated. Lastly, the torsor apparatus is applied to deterministic measurement of quantities.
The Algebraic Structure of Quantity Calculus
Authors: Raposo Álvaro P.
Published: September 2017

The algebraic structure underlying the quantity calculus is defined axiomatically as an algebraic fiber bundle, that is, a base structure which is a free Abelian group together with fibers which are one dimensional vector spaces, all of them bound by algebraic restrictions. Subspaces, tensor product, and quotient spaces are considered, as well as homomorphisms to end with a classification theorem of these structures. The new structure provides an axiomatic foundation of quantity calculus which is centered on the concept of dimension, rather than on the concept of unit, which is regarded as secondary, and uses only integer exponents of the dimensions.
Measuring Software Test Verification for Complex Workpieces based on Virtual Gear Measuring Instrument
Authors: Yin Peili , Wang Jianhua , Lu Chunxia
Published: September 2017

Validity and correctness test verification of the measuring software has been a thorny issue hindering the development of Gear Measuring Instrument (GMI). The main reason is that the software itself is difficult to separate from the rest of the measurement system for independent evaluation. This paper presents a Virtual Gear Measuring Instrument (VGMI) to independently validate the measuring software. The triangular patch model with accurately controlled precision was taken as the virtual workpiece and a universal collision detection model was established. The whole process simulation of workpiece measurement is implemented by VGMI replacing GMI and the measuring software is tested in the proposed virtual environment. Taking involute profile measurement procedure as an example, the validity of the software is evaluated based on the simulation results; meanwhile, experiments using the same measuring software are carried out on the involute master in a GMI. The experiment results indicate a consistency of tooth profile deviation and calibration results, thus verifying the accuracy of gear measuring system which includes the measurement procedures. It is shown that the VGMI presented can be applied in the validation of measuring software, providing a new ideal platform for testing of complex workpiece-measuring software without calibrated artifacts.
Efficiency enhancement of InGaN amber MQWs using nanopillar structures
Authors: Ou Yiyu , Iida Daisuke , Liu Jin , Wu Kaiyu , Ohkawa Kazuhiro , Boisen Anja , Petersen Paul Michael , Ou Haiyan
Published: September 2017

We have investigated the use of nanopillar structures on high indium content InGaN amber multiple quantum well (MQW) samples to enhance the emission efficiency. A significant emission enhancement was observed which can be attributed to the enhancement of internal quantum efficiency and light extraction efficiency. The size-dependent strain relaxation effect was characterized by photoluminescence, Raman spectroscopy and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements. In addition, the light extraction efficiency of different MQW samples was studied by finite-different time-domain simulations. Compared to the as-grown sample, the nanopillar amber MQW sample with a diameter of 300 nm has demonstrated an emission enhancement by a factor of 23.8.
The Soul and Personal Identity. Derek Parfit’s Arguments in the Substance Dualist Perspective
Authors: Sepetyi Dmytro
Published: September 2017

This paper re-evaluates Derek Parfit’s attack on the commonly held view that personal identity is necessarily determinate and that it is what matters. In the first part we first argue against the Humean view of personal identity; secondly, we classify the remaining alternatives into three kinds: the body theory and the brain theory, the quasi-Humean theory, and the soul theory, and thirdly we deploy Parfit’s arguments and related considerations to the point that none of the materialistic alternatives is consistent with the commonly held view. This leaves us with the alternative: either we accept the radical and highly implausible materialistic view Parfit calls ‘Reductionism’, or we accept the view that we are nonphysical indivisible entities—Cartesian egos, or souls. The second part of the paper discusses Parfit’s objections against the Cartesian view: that there is no reason to believe in the existence of such nonphysical entities; that if such entities exist, there is no evidence that they are enduring (to span a human life); that even if they exist and are enduring, they are irrelevant for the psychological profile and temporal continuity of a person; that experiments with ‘brain-splitted’ patients provide strong evidence against the Cartesian view. We argue that these objections are in part mistaken, and that the remaining (sound) part is not strong enough to make the Cartesian view less plausible than Reductionism.
Jacques Derrida’s (Art)Work of Mourning
Authors: Antal Eva
Published: September 2017

Derrida’s highly personal mourning texts are collected and published in a unique book under the titleThe Work of Mourningedited by Pascale-Anne Brault and Michael Naas, two outstanding translators of Derrida’s works. The English collection is published in 2001, while the French edition came out later in 2003 titledChaque fois unique, la fin du monde(Each Time Unique, the End of the World). In hisdeconstructed eulogies, Derrida, being in accordance with ‘the mission impossible’ of deconstruction, namely, ‘to allow the coming of the entirely other’ in its otherness, seems to find his own voice. In my paper, I will focus on this special segment of Derrida’s death-work (cf. life-work); namely, on his mourning texts writtenforhis dead friends, paying special attention to the rhetoric ‘circling around’ fidelity, friendship, and the other in histextualmourning.
Marilynne Robinson, Gilead, and the Battle for the Soul
Authors: Aronowicz Annette
Published: September 2017

A widespread view among contemporary philosophers and scientists is that the soul is a mystification. For Marilynne Robinson, American essayist and novelist, the crux of the matter is not the existence of the soul in itself, since this cannot be settled by debate. Rather, she challenges the sort of evidence that her opponents—mostly basing themselves on the work of neuroscientists, and evolutionary biologists—deem to be decisive in determining the question. The soul, she claims, does not appear at the level of our genes and neurons. Rather it is encountered in the many works of art and reflection that human beings have produced from the earliest times. This paper will focus on one such document, Robinson’s novel Gilead (2004), in which she proposes a vision of the soul closely allied to the notion of blessing. Blessing, in turn, is inseparable from metaphor, pointing us to mystery, an elusive reality whose presence we experience only intermittently, although it is always there. Although Robinson’s several collections of essays provide needed context for the view of the soul displayed in the novel, it is our claim that it is the novel that truly turns the tables in the debate, inviting the reader to affirm or deny the soul’s reality not on the basis of the pronouncement of experts but on the basis of the way a given language aligns with experience. The internalization that such a process requires reveals the soul in action. This paper is thus a reading of Robinson’s writings on the soul.
Study on the adhesive properties of reactive liquid rubber toughened epoxy-clay hybrid nanocomposites
Authors: Szymańska Jowita , Bakar Mohamed , Białkowska Anita , Kostrzewa Marcin
Published: September 2017

The present work investigates the adhesive properties and morphology of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A nanocomposites modified with reactive butadiene acrylonitrile copolymers having different amine equivalent weight. Tensile adhesive strength and shear adhesive strength of epoxy resin were significantly increased due to reactive rubbers and nanoparticles (ZW1) incorporation to the epoxy matrix. Hybrid composites based on 1 wt% ZW1 and 10 wt% ATBN-16, 1 wt% ZW1 and 15 wt% ATBN-21 exhibited maximum adhesive strength in comparison with neat epoxy resin as well as epoxy nanocomposite containing 1% ZW1. Tensile adhesive strength of hybrid composites containing 1% ZW1 and 10% ATBN-16 as well as 1% ZW1 and 15% ATBN-21 was maximally enhanced. The fracture surfaces of epoxy hybrid composites showed significant plastic yielding together with delaminated and stratified structures, explaining thus the increase of the adhesive strength of tested composites. This finding was confirmed by FTIR spectra in terms of chemical reactions occurrence between the reactive rubbers and epoxy matrix.
Electrospinning of poly(lactic acid)/polycaprolactone blends: investigation of the governing parameters and biocompatibility
Authors: Zhang Chunmei , Zhai Tianliang , Turng Lih-Sheng
Published: September 2017

Blends of poly(lactic acid)/polycaprolactone (PLA/PCL) were electrospun under various conditions to study the influence of solution concentration, feed rate and voltage supply on the morphology of the nanofibers. To improve compatibility and to help produce fine electrospun nanofibers, an L-lactide/caprolactone (LACL) copolymer was introduced as a compatibilizer in the PLA/PCL blends. It was found that the solution concentration was a principal governing factor. The mean diameter of the fibers increased with the solution concentration, feed rate and voltage. Too high of a concentration and feed rate caused the fibers to stick to each other. A slow feed rate, 10% solution concentration, and 20 kV voltage were capable of producing thin, smooth and uniform fibers. Preliminary biocompatibility assays of the nanofibers were conducted with NIH 3T3 cells. The cells grown on the nanofiber blend exhibited spindle-like morphologies. The addition of PCL and LACL copolymer was found to improve the biocompatibility of PLA nanofibers, suggesting their potential application as cell culture scaffolds.
In Vivo Packaging of mRNA in Yeast-Produced Bacteriophage GA Derived Virus-Like Particles
Authors: Ārgule Dagnija , Cielēns Indulis , Renhofa Regīna , Strods Arnis
Published: September 2017

Bacteriophage GA coat protein formed self-assembly competent virus-like particles (VLPs) have been expressed previously in bacterial and yeast cells. On the basis of our previous experiments on the yeast vector pESC-URA / S. cerevisiae system containing two oppositely oriented promoters, new constructions were created with point-mutations in coat protein to mimic phage MS2-like RNA binding characteristics. Simultaneously, the MS2 operator sequence was added to mRNA desired for packaging. After the introduction of single-point mutations (S87N, K55N, R43K) and double-point mutations (S87N + K55N and S87N + R43K), the coat protein’s ability to form VLPs was retained, but yield from cells was decreased. Exchange of the 87th Ser to Asn in coat protein sequence in combination with bacteriophage MS2 translational operator provided specific packaging of the gene of interest (GFP). Although non-specific nucleic acid sequences were packaged, the remarkable specificity for packaging of the gene of interest can be achieved using the described approach.
Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Lignocellulose for Bioethanol Production
Authors: Rozenfelde Linda , Puķe Māris , Krūma Irēna , Poppele Ieva , Matjuškova Nataļja , Vederņikovs Nikolajs , Rapoport Alexander
Published: September 2017

The effect of temperature, time and amount of enzyme on hydrolysis of wheat straw lignocellulose remaining after furfural production was studied. The residual substrate was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis at different temperatures — 45 °C, 50 °C and 55 °C. Hydrolysis time was 72 hours, and samples were taken every 24 hours. The maximum glucose yield (76.5% of the theoretically possible) was reached when hydrolysis temperature 50 °C was used. The production rate of glucose increased with a hydrolysis period of time. The yield of glucose significantly depended on the ratio of enzyme to substrate.
Preferences of Patients for Discussing Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy
Authors: Sūna Normunds , Gūtmane Evija , Lazdāne Madara , Karelis Guntis , Folkmanis Valdis
Published: September 2017

People with epilepsy have increased mortality rates, which is partially attributed to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy syndrome (SUDEP). Poor seizure control appears to be the strongest SUDEP risk factor. Management of epilepsy and adherence to therapy is critical to seizure control. The belief by caregivers of negative influence caused by being informed about the syndrome is the main reason SUDEP is not disclosed. There are no clear recommendations when to disclose the risk of SUDEP and how much information should be provided. We addressed the preferences of Latvian epilepsy patients for discussing SUDEP as well as awareness of the syndrome. Our study involved 55 epilepsy patients. We found that, as in other studies, our patients were relatively well informed about SUDEP. We found that a considerable proportion of patients preferred to receive information about SUDEP from a general practitioner. We note the belief of patients that the disclosure of SUDEP would either improve or have no effect on the quality of life. We were able to identify groups of patients with a self-reported belief of more frequent expected anxiety and poor adherence to medical treatment. Our data improves the understanding of preferences of patient for discussing the negative aspects of epilepsy.
Survival, Growth and Mycorrhization of Containerised Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies Seedlings of Different Provenances Outplanted in a Forest Clear-Cut
Authors: Klaviņa Dārta , Muižnieks Indriķis , Baumanis Imants , Jansons Jurģis , Gaitnieks Tālis , Menkis Audrius
Published: September 2017

We studied field performance of containerised Pinus sylvestris and Picea abies seedlings of different provenances. Shoot height, needle chemical composition, root collar diameter, root mycorrhization and mycorrhizal species composition were evaluated after four growing seasons following outplanting. The results showed that in general spruce had better survival than pine. Ectomycorrhizas on spruce were dominated by Wilcoxina, Amphinema and Tylospora, while on pine — by Suillus and Thelephora species. Spruce and pine showing best growth rates were colonised by ectomycorrhizal fungus Amphinema sp. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that forest nursery practices as well as provenance can significantly impact survival, growth and mycorrhization of the containerised pine and spruce seedlings.
The Model of Fitness in a Heterogeneous Environment on Reaction Norms
Authors: Gerasymenko Volodymyr
Published: September 2017

The understanding of genetic mechanisms of natural selection to a large extent became possible as a result of modelling research carried out in the fields of evolutionary and population genetics. However, genetic models cannot be considered exhaustive in the description of natural selection because a phenotype of individual, environment and fitness remains beyond their framework. Consequently, the value of fitness is not derived from the algorithmic model but arbitrarily assigned by a researcher to genotypes in their genetic formula. This work proposes a model of genotype fitness in heterogeneous environments on reaction norms in connection with the genetic structure of the population. Two equations represent the model. The first is an incomplete second order polynomial that describes the dependence of fitness on the phenotype of an adaptive trait and environmental conditions. The second is a linear equation of the reaction norm of the adaptive trait that determines its phenotype in specific environmental conditions. According to the model algorithms, rating of fitness in the population, and, consequently, their probability of selection, is determined by phenotype optimality and their norm of reaction in certain environmental conditions.