bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Water, Population Growth and Contagious Diseases
Authors: Iaccarino Maurizio
Published: February 2019

Water, essential for the biology of living organisms, is also important for agriculture, for the organization of social life and for culture. In this review we discuss the interrelationship between water availability and human population size. The total population of the globe, 3–5 million people between the years 25,000 and 5000 Before Common Era (BCE), increased about 50-fold in coincidence with the development of agriculture. Later on, after the year 200 Common Era (CE), the number of people did not change appreciably and increased slowly in the period 1000 to 1500 CE. We show that the main cause of this observed slow-down in population growth was the increase in population density, which caused the appearance and spreading of infectious diseases, often due to the use of contaminated water. Population started to increase again when people learned how to use appropriate sanitation and hygienic rules. The management of water resources, including transport of water to the areas where it is needed, separation and depuration of wastewater and production of freshwater by desalination, have become increasingly important. The population level is today very high and will continue to grow, thus causing a further increase in the density of people and an increased risk of contagious diseases. Therefore, more water for sanitation will be needed all over the world.
Performances Analysis of a Novel Electromagnetic-Frictional Integrated Brake Based on Multi-Physical Fields Coupling
Authors: Wang Kuiyang , He Ren , Tang Jinhua , Liu Ruochen
Published: February 2019

In this article, a novel electromagnetic-frictional integrated brake is proposed, and its structure and working principle are introduced. The geometric model and mathematical models of integrated brake were established, and the multi-field coupling mechanism of integrated brake were analyzed. With BYD Qin as a reference vehicle, the boundary conditions of thermal load and force load of integrated brake were determined according to its structure and performance parameters. Based on the COMSOL software, numerical coupling calculations of electric, magnetic, thermal, and solid fields of integrated brake were carried out respectively in the emergency and downhill braking at a constant speed. The axial, circumferential, and radial temperature distributions of integrated brake disc were analyzed respectively, and they were compared with those of the traditional friction brake disc. The analysis results show that the proposed integrated brake can effectively improve the heat fading resistance of automotive brake during emergency and continuous braking. Under the two braking conditions, the temperature rise of friction brake was faster than that of an electromagnetic brake, and the effect of the electromagnetic brake on temperature rise of integrated brake was small.
Choosing a substrate for the ion irradiation of two-dimensional materials
Authors: Kolesov Egor A
Published: February 2019

This study is dedicated to the common problem of how to choose a suitable substrate for ion irradiation of two-dimensional materials in order to achieve specific roles of certain defect formation mechanisms. The estimations include Monte Carlo simulations for He, Ar, Xe, C, N and Si ions, performed in the incident ion energy range from 100 eV to 250 MeV. Cu, SiO2, SiC and Al2O3 substrates were analyzed. The considered substrate-related defect formation mechanisms are sputtering, recoil atoms reaching the interface with a non-zero energy, and generation of hot electrons in close proximity of the interface. Additionally, the implantation of sputtered substrate atoms into the 2D material lattice is analyzed. This work is useful both for fundamental studies of irradiation of two-dimensional materials and as a practical guide on choosing the conditions necessary to obtain certain parameters of irradiated materials.
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES TRAJECTORY ANALYSIS CONSIDERING MISSING DATA
Authors: Wang Bo , Kharchenko Volodymyr , Kukush Alexander , Kuzmenko Nataliia
Published: February 2019

Researches very often deal with the problem of missing data. This issue is caused by impossibility of data obtaining, its distortion or concealment. The goal of present paper is to recover missing data and to analyse Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) trajectory based on the degree of deviation from pre-planned trajectory. The range probability approach is used to assess flight situation. The results of trajectory analysis for real position data of UAV are demonstrated.
CONCEPT OF AN INTEGRATED MOBILE APPLICATION AIDING ELECTROMOBILITY
Authors: Csiszár Csaba , Pauer Gábor
Published: February 2019

Increasing acceptance of electromobility is an important step towards sustainable transportation. However, besides its obvious environmental and economic benefits, the technology of Electric Vehicles (EVs) still has some significant operational drawbacks (e.g. relatively short driving range, long recharging time). Advanced mobile applications supporting travellers’ decisions, improving predictability and reliability could play a key role in the promotion of a more widespread use of the technology. Mobile applications can serve as a “platform” between the human component and the integrated system. The aim of our research was to reveal the correspondences between functions, data groups and system components, to create the concept of a complex, integrated information application and to elaborate its innovative functions. As a result of our systematic analysis of the most important, currently available applications, it has been found that important, customizable functions (e.g. charger-point reservation, energy-efficient routing etc.) are not yet available, thus our innovation focused on these information management features. Based on our concept, integrated information applications can be developed, providing real-time personalized service for the users and including all functions related to electromobility.
Nitrogen-containing Anions and Tholin Growth in Titan’s Ionosphere: Implications for Cassini CAPS-ELS Observations
Authors: Dubois David , Carrasco Nathalie , Bourgalais Jérémy , Vettier Ludovic , Desai Ravindra T. , Wellbrock Anne , Coates Andrew J.
Published: February 2019

The Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) Electron Spectrometer (ELS) instrument on board Cassini revealed an unexpected abundance of negative ions above 950 km in Titan’s ionosphere. In situ measurements indicated the presence of negatively charged particles with mass-over-charge ratios up to 13,800 u/q. At present, only a handful of anions have been characterized by photochemical models, consisting mainly of C
n
H− carbon chain and C
n−1N− cyano compounds (n = 2–6); their formation occurring essentially through proton abstraction from their parent neutral molecules. However, numerous other species have yet to be detected and identified. Considering the efficient anion growth leading to compounds of thousands of u/q, it is necessary to better characterize the first light species. Here, we present new negative ion measurements with masses up to 200 u/q obtained in an N2:CH4 dusty plasma discharge reproducing analogous conditions to Titan’s ionosphere. We perform a comparison with high-altitude CAPS-ELS measurements near the top of Titan’s ionosphere from the T18 encounter. The main observed peaks are in agreement with the observations. However, a number of other species (e.g., CNN−, CHNN−) previously not considered suggests an abundance of N-bearing compounds, containing two or three nitrogen atoms, consistent with certain adjacent doubly bonded nitrogen atoms found in tholins. These results suggest that an N-rich incorporation into tholins may follow mechanisms including anion chemistry, further highlighting the important role of negative ions in Titan’s aerosol growth.
Comparison of different cytogenetic methods and tissue suitability for the study of chromosomes in Cimex lectularius (Heteroptera, Cimicidae)
Authors: Sadílek David , Angus Robert B. , Šťáhlavský František , Vilímová Jitka
Published: February 2019

In the article we summarize the most common recent cytogenetic methods used in analysis of karyotypes in Heteroptera. We seek to show the pros and cons of the spreading method compared with the traditional squashing method. We discuss the suitability of gonad, midgut and embryo tissue inCimexlectulariusLinnaeus, 1758 chromosome research and production of figures of whole mitosis and meiosis, using the spreading method.

The hotplate spreading technique has many advantages in comparison with the squashing technique. Chromosomal slides prepared from the testes tissue gave the best results, tissues of eggs and midgut epithelium are not suitable. Metaphase II is the only division phase in which sex chromosomes can be clearly distinguished. Chromosome number determination is easy during metaphase I and metaphase II. Spreading of gonad tissue is a suitable method for the cytogenetic analysis of holokinetic chromosomes ofCimexlectularius.
New species of the rare genera Dentigaster Zettel, 1990 (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Cheloninae) and Minanga Cameron, 1906 (Sigalphinae) from French Guiana
Authors: Sharkey Michael , Braet Yves
Published: February 2019

Two new species, recently discovered in French Guiana, are described. Minanga angelussp. n., is the second species from the New World and the first Neotropical species. Dentigaster brulleisp. n. is the seventh described species of the genus. Identifications keys for both genera are updated.
First record of subterranean rissoidean gastropod assemblages in Southeast Asia (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Pomatiopsidae)
Authors: Grego Jozef
Published: February 2019

In February 2017 we investigated several caves and karstic springs in Laos for the presence of underground freshwater gastropod species. We report previously unrecorded freshwater gastropod assemblages in the largest cave in Laos, Tham Khon Dôn, and in the third largest cave, Pha Soung, in Khammouane Province, with single finds in Na Li Cave (Khammouane Province), an unnamed cave near Vieng Thong (Bolikhamsay Province) and a small karst spring near Phonsavan (Xianghouan Province). All 15 species recorded and described herein are new to science. Four species are assigned to the new genusPseudoiglica:P.pseudoiglicasp. n.,P.olsavskyisp. n.,P.kameniarisp. n., andP.phonsavanicasp. n.Three species are assigned to the new genusThamkhondonia:T.mouretisp. n.,T.vacquieisp. n., andT.smidaisp. n.Eight species are assigned to the genusTriculaBenson, 1843:T.valenasisp. n.,T.davisisp. n.,T.spelaeasp. n.,T.lenahanisp. n.,T.reischuetzorumsp. n.,T.phasoungensissp. n.,T.bannaensissp. n., andT.viengthongensissp. n.
Additions and corrections to the check list of the Noctuoidea (Insecta, Lepidoptera) of North America north of Mexico IV
Authors: Schmidt B. Christian , Lafontaine J. Donald , Troubridge James T.
Published: February 2019

A summary of all taxonomic and nomenclatural changes to the check list of the Noctuoidea of North America north of Mexico since the last update published in 2015 is provided. A total of 64 changes are listed and discussed, consisting of 26 recently published changes and additions, and an additional 38 presented herein. One stat. n., one stat. rev., six syn. n., and two comb. n. are proposed for the first time. Orthimella Schmidt & Lafontaine nom. n. is proposed here as an objective replacement name for Himella Grote, 1874 [Noctuinae: Orthosiini], a junior homonym of Himella Dallas, 1852 [Hemiptera: Coreidae].
A biodiversity hotspot for Microgastrinae (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) in North America: annotated species checklist for Ottawa, Canada
Authors: Fernandez-Triana Jose , Boudreault Caroline , Buffam Joel , Maclean Ronald
Published: February 2019

Microgastrinae wasps (Hymenoptera, Braconidae) from the city of Ottawa and its surroundings (a 50-km radius circle, ~7,800 km2) were studied based on 1,928 specimens collected between 1894 and 2010, and housed in the Canadian National Collection of Insects. A total of 158 species from 21 genera were identified, which is by far the highest number of species ever recorded for a locality in North America. An annotated checklist of species is provided.Choerasparasitellae(Bouché, 1834) andPholetesornanus(Reinhard, 1880) are recorded for the first time in the Nearctic (previously only known from the Palearctic region),Cotesiadepressa(Viereck, 1912) is recorded for the first time in Canada (previously only known from the United States), andCotesiahemileucae(Riley, 1881) andProtapantelesphlyctaeniae(Muesebeck, 1929) are recorded for the first time in the province of Ontario. In Ottawa the most diverse genera areCotesia,Apanteles,Microplitis,Pholetesor,Microgaster, andDolichogenidea, altogether comprising 77% of the species found in the area. A total of 73 species (46%) were represented by only one or two specimens, suggesting that the inventory for Ottawa is still relatively incomplete. Seasonal distribution showed several peaks of activity, in spring, summer, and early fall. That general pattern varied for individual species, with some showing a single peak of abundance either in the summer or towards the end of the season, others species attaining two peaks, in late spring and late summer, or in early summer and early fall, and yet others attaining up to three different peaks, in spring, summer and fall. At least 72 of the Microgastrinae species from Ottawa have been previously associated with 554 species of Lepidoptera as hosts – but those historical literature records are not always reliable and in many cases are based on data from areas beyond Ottawa. Thus, our knowledge of the associations between the 158 species of microgastrine parasitoids and the caterpillars of the 2,064 species of Lepidoptera recorded from Ottawa is still very incomplete.
New species of Eurycletodes Sars, 1909 and Odiliacletodes Soyer, 1964 from the deep Gulf of California (Copepoda, Harpacticoida, Argestidae)
Authors: Gómez Samuel
Published: February 2019

To date, three species of the family Ancorabolidae, three species of the family Argestidae, and one species of the family Rhizothrichidae are known from the deep sea of the Gulf of California. The descriptions of two new species,Eurycletodesparaephippigersp. n.andOdiliacletodessecundussp. n.collected from the Southern Trough of Guaymas Basin at 1440 m and 1642 m depths, respectively, are presented herein. The closest relatives of these two species,E.ephippigerPor, 1964 andO.gracilisSoyer, 1964 are known from the Mediterranean, but some relatives have been reported also from the southern Atlantic.Eurycletodesparaephippigersp. n.is undoubtedly related toE.ephippigerPor, 1964 known from Israel and Banyuls-sur-Mer (France). These two species can be separated by the armature complement of the basis of the maxillule, by the armature complement of the syncoxa of the maxilliped, and by the relative position of the anal operculum.Odiliacletodessecundussp. n.showed to be closely related toO.gracilisSoyer, 1964 known from Banyuls-sur-Mer only. The latter two species can be separated by the armature complement of the syncoxa of the maxilliped, by the structure of the antenna, and by the inner armature complement of the third exopodal segment of the fourth swimming leg.
Tapping into technology and the biodiversity informatics revolution: updated terrestrial mammal list of Angola, with new records from the Okavango Basin
Authors: Taylor Peter J. , Neef Götz , Keith Mark , Weier Sina , Monadjem Ara , Parker Daniel M.
Published: February 2019

Using various sources, including the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), published literature, recent (2015–2017) collections, as well as bat detector and camera trap surveys with opportunistic sightings and live capture in the upper Okavango catchment in central Angola, we present an updated mammal checklist of 275 species from 15 different orders for Angola (including the Cabinda region). Recent surveys (captures and bat detectors) of small mammals from the upper Okavango catchment yielded 46 species (33 species of bats, ten species of rodents and three species of shrews). One bat (Pipistrellusrusticus, rusty pipistrelle); two rodents (Mussetzeri, Setzer’s mouse andZelotomyswoosnami, Woosnam’s broad-faced mouse) and one shrew (Suncusvarilla, lesser dwarf shrew) were captured for the first time, in Angola. While our species lists of bats conformed to predicted totals, terrestrial small mammals were under sampled, with only 13 species recorded by our trapping survey compared to a total of 42 shrew and rodent species expected based on GBIF records for the central Angolan highlands. Seven terrestrial small mammal species (one shrew and six rodents) are endemic to the central and western Angolan highlands but none of these were captured in our survey. The bat detector surveys added three further bat species to the country list:Pipistrellushesperidus,Kerivoulaargentata, andMopsmidas. Camera trap surveys and opportunistic sightings in the upper Okavango catchment in 2016 yielded a total of 35 species of medium-large mammals, from 17 families, although all of these had been reported previously in Angola. GBIF proved to be an excellent source of biodiversity data for Angolan mammals, most importantly for documenting dramatic historical range changes of larger mammals such as the sable (Hippotragusnigerniger), Kirk’s sable (H.nigerkirkii) and the giant sable (H.nigervariani).
Defining Stable Touch Area Based on a Large-Screen Smart Device in 3D-Touch Interface
Authors: Seo Younghoon , Shin DongRyeol , Nam Choonsung
Published: February 2019

Touch interface technologies for mobile devices are essentially in use. The purpose of such touch interfaces is to run an application by touching a screen with a user’s finger or to implement various functions on the device. When the user has an attempt to use the touch interface, users tend to grab the mobile device with one hand. Because of the existence of untouchable areas to which the user cannot reach with the user’s fingers, it is possible to occur for a case where the user is not able to touch a specific area on the screen accurately. This results in some issues that the mobile device does not carry out the user’s desired function and the execution time is delayed due to the wrong implementation. Therefore, there is a need to distinguish the area where the user can stably input the touch interface from the area where the users cannot and to overcome the problems of the unstable touch area. Furthermore, when the size of the screen increases, these issues will become more serious because of an increase in the unstable touch areas. Especially, an interface that receives position and force data like 3D-touch requires the stable area setting different from the conventional 2D-touch. In this paper, we search and analyze the stable touch areas on the large screen where the user can do 3D-touch inputs.
The Perception of Emojis for Analyzing App Feedback
Authors: Scherr Simon André , Polst Svenja , Müller Lisa , Holl Konstantin , Elberzhager Frank
Published: February 2019

When analyzing textual user feedback, the challenge today is that automation is only possible in a non-satisfactory way due to the limitations of understanding natural language. However, manual evaluation is not possible for products with a large amount of user feedback, as this is neither efficient nor effective. Internet texts are full of emojis. Emojis tell how a user feels about certain aspects of a product. We conducted a survey on the perception of emojis and used the results from 107 participants. The core result is that people perceive emojis in a very homogenous way regarding their sentiments and the emotions they represent This means that emojis give us a tool for analyzing the users’ perspectives on a product by looking at the emojis contained in their feedback. 
Increasing Lifetime through Sleep Awake and Conditional Transmission in Wireless Body Area Networks
Authors: Jayaraman Karthik , Rajesh A.
Published: February 2019

Human health is being monitored by wireless sensors from their home using wireless body area networks. Increase in the wireless body sensors made human to monitor health with great ease. Patient need not be stay in hospital for long time instead they may use body sensors and they may monitor their health from their residence itself. So that patients easily will be moving around their residence. Even though development of technology made ease of every task there are also constraints that need to be reduced. Since the body nodes are very tiny the battery used for the sensor is also small, in turn the battery capacity is also greatly reduced. So the life time of the sensor nodes are very low and in turn network lifetime also will be very less. In order to increase the life time of the node energy consumption should be monitored with more care. In our proposed system we implement sleep awake method along with conditional transmission to reduce the energy consumption that automatically increases the life time of the node as well as network. Our proposed method gives better result when compare with the performance of other methods in saving energy.
Anadromy Redux? Genetic Analysis to Inform Development of an Indigenous American River Steelhead Broodstock
Authors: Abadía-Cardoso Alicia , Brodsky Annie , Cavallo Bradley , Arciniega Martha , Garza John Carlos , Hannon John , Pearse Devon E.
Published: February 2019

The construction of dams and water diversions has severely limited access to spawning habitat for anadromous fishes. To mitigate for these impacts, hatchery programs rear and release millions of juvenile salmonids, including steelhead, the anadromous ecotype of the species Oncorhynchus mykiss. These programs sometimes use nonindigenous broodstock sources that may have negative effects on wild populations. In California, however, only one anadromous fish hatchery program currently uses nonnative broodstock: the steelhead program at Nimbus Fish Hatchery on the American River, a tributary of the Sacramento River in the California Central Valley. The goal of this study was to determine if potentially appropriate sources to replace the broodstock for the Nimbus Hatchery steelhead program exist in the Upper American River, above Nimbus and Folsom dams. We show that all Upper American River O. mykiss sampled share ancestry with other populations in the Central Valley steelhead distinct population segment, with limited introgression from out-of-basin sources in some areas. Furthermore, some Upper American River populations retain adaptive genomic variation associated with a migratory life history, supporting the hypothesis that these populations display adfluvial migratory behavior. Together, these results provide insights into the evolution of trout populations above barrier dams. We conclude that some Upper American River O. mykiss populations represent genetically appropriate sources from which fisheries managers could potentially develop a new broodstock for the Nimbus Hatchery steelhead program to reestablish a native anadromous population in the Lower American River and contribute to recovery of the threatened Central Valley steelhead distinct population segment.
Fast and Effective Copy-Move Detection of Digital Audio Based on Auto Segment
Authors: Huang Xinchao , Liu Zihan , Lu Wei , Liu Hongmei , Xiang Shijun
Published: February 2019

Detecting digital audio forgeries is a significant research focus in the field of audio forensics. In this article, the authors focus on a special form of digital audio forgery—copy-move—and propose a fast and effective method to detect doctored audios. First, the article segments the input audio data into syllables by voice activity detection and syllable detection. Second, the authors select the points in the frequency domain as feature by applying discrete Fourier transform (DFT) to each audio segment. Furthermore, this article sorts every segment according to the features and gets a sorted list of audio segments. In the end, the article merely compares one segment with some adjacent segments in the sorted list so that the time complexity is decreased. After comparisons with other state of the art methods, the results show that the proposed method can identify the authentication of the input audio and locate the forged position fast and effectively.
CBC-Based Synthetic Speech Detection
Authors: Yang Jichen , He Qianhua , Hu Yongjian , Pan Weiqiang
Published: February 2019

In previous studies of synthetic speech detection (SSD), the most widely used features are based on a linear power spectrum. Different from conventional methods, this article proposes a new feature extraction method for SSD from octave power spectrum which is obtained from constant-Q transform (CQT). By combining CQT, block transform (BT) and discrete cosine transform (DCT), a new feature is obtained, namely, constant-Q block coefficients (CBC). In which, CQT is used to transform speech from the time domain into the frequency domain, BT is used to segment octave power spectrum into many blocks and DCT is used to extract principal information of every block. The experimental results on ASVspoof 2015 corpus shows that CBC is superior to other front-ends features that have been benchmarked on ASVspoof 2015 evaluation set in terms of equal error rate (EER).
Emerging Applications of Optical Bio-Sensors
Authors: Mondal Himadri Shekhar , Hossain Md. Mahbub , Mahasin Md. Mehadi Hasan , Mondal Pankoj Kumar , Rahaman Md. Ekhlasur
Published: February 2019

In the simplest words, a bio-sensor is an analytic device. In recent years, bio-sensors have shown emerging contribution in medical diagnosis, drug discovery, and treatment process. In this regards, continuous research is ongoing and many more features are being added in the sensing technologies. Optical sensing technology is no more bound in research area but also in the commercial use for the betterment of mankind. There are different types of bio-sensors particularly optical which have already been developed and research is going to expand many more of them. Sensing applications are not limited in glucose, DNA, cancer cell detection, drug discovery, immunological, Hepatitis B virus, and enzyme detection but also many more development is knocking at the door. Therefore, this review paper is focused on the applications and functions of bio-sensors (especially optical) in medical diagnostics and treatment.
Separation Enhancement of Power Line Noise from Human ECG Signal Based on Stone Technique
Authors: Abdullah Ahmed Kareem , Wadday Ahmed Ghanim , Abdullah Ali A.
Published: February 2019

The cardiac signal is very important for the heart disease diagnosis and evaluation. The noise cancelation represent one of the most preprocessing step in ECG signal processing, usually, this signal is very sensitive and varies with time. The ECG signal is mostly contaminated by different signals like Power line noise signal, Baseline signal and muscle signal. The power line interference signal is the most effected signal on the ECG during data recording. Several papers try to cancel the noise based on different ways and to extract the useful information. In this paper a novel approach based on stone blind source extraction is used to extract the pure ECG signal from raw ECG, the main advantage of the proposed approach compared with the classical technique is to separate all the useful information without filtering or cancelling the suitable data from the recording signal. Real ECG data from MIT-BIH databases is taken and the MATLAB program is used to evaluate the experimental results. The performance of the proposed approach is measured based on SNR and MSE. The main contribution of this paper is to use Stone blind source separation technique as a first time in ECG signal analysis and prove that this method is the best technique compared with conventional ways. The obtained result proves Stone BSS technique is very efficient to remove the power line noise.
Relating Ocean Condition Forecasts to the Process of End-User Decision Making: A Case Study of the Oregon Commercial Fishing Community
Authors: Kuonen Jessica , Conway Flaxen , Strub Ted
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis case study is in response to a recognized need to transform short-term regional ocean condition forecast information into useful data products for a range of end users, considering their perceptions of uncertainty and risk associated with these forecasts. It
demonstrates the value of user engagement in achieving long-term goals for data providers. Commercial fishermen from Oregon are selected as key information users due to the physically risky and economically uncertain nature of their profession, their expertise at navigating the marine environment,
and their important economic and cultural role at the Oregon coast. Semistructured interviews (n = 16) are used to clarify the processes that govern decision making, in terms of risk perception and comfort with uncertainty. The results characterize a community “mental model”
in regard to ocean use and ocean forecasts. Findings reveal that commercial fishermen consume and interpret forecast data in a nonlinear fashion by combining multiple sources and data types and with a heavy reliance on real-time data. Our assessment is that improving accuracy at temporal and
spatial scales that are relevant to decision making, improving the accessibility of forecasts, and increasing forecast lead time could potentially add more value to forecasts than quantifying and communicating the types of uncertainty metrics used within the scientific community.
The Role of Deep Submersibles in Scientific Research and Underwater Technical Operations in the Ocean
Authors: Sagalevich Anatoly M.
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this article, the types of deep ocean vehicles used for scientific research and special technical operations are considered. Based on multiyear experience, it is concluded that the most efficient searching and research complex consists of deep towed vehicles and
deep manned submersibles. Comparison of the use of remotely operated and manned vehicles for detailed scientific research is presented.
Performance of Electromagnetic Oil Circuit Breakers Under Hyperbaric Conditions
Authors: Vedachalam Narayanaswamy , Umapathy Arunachalam , Babu Sethuram Muthukrishna , Venketesan Kandan , Kumar Nanda Kumar Suresh , Atmanand Malayath Aravindakshan
Published: February 2019

AbstractUnderstanding the influence of ambient hydrostatic pressure in the electric circuit breaking performance of pressure-compensated (PC) electromagnetically actuated oil circuit breakers is essential for the design of reliable deep ocean power systems. Experiments are
conducted using an industry-standard 300-V direct current PC power contactor in a hyperbaric chamber. It is identified that at 150-bar pressure, the circuit breaking duration and arc energy reduce fivefold and threefold, respectively, compared to their performance at 1-bar conditions. At pressures
greater than 200 bar, the circuit breaker opening duration increases due to the increase in the viscosity of the dielectric PC oil. This leads to increased arc energy and formation of larger carbon conglomerations due to the breakdown of dielectric oil. During the hyperbaric experiments, the
pressure-induced viscosity increase was offset by increasing the oil temperature.
Enhancing Antigen Cross-Presentation in Human Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells by Recruiting the Intracellular Fc Receptor TRIM21
Authors: Ng Patricia M. L. , Kaliaperumal Nivashini , Lee Chia Yin , Chin Wen Jie , Tan Hwee Ching , Au Veonice B. , Goh Angeline X.-H. , Tan Qiao Wen , Yeo Darren S. G. , Connolly John E. , Wang Cheng-I
Published: February 2019

Suboptimal immune responses to pathogens contribute to chronic infections. One way to improve immune responses is to boost Ag presentation. In this study, we investigate the potential of the tripartite motif-containing 21 (TRIM21) pathway. TRIM21 is a ubiquitously expressed cytosolic protein that recognizes the Fc region of Abs. When Abs that are bound to pathogens enter the cell as immune complexes, binding of TRIM21 to Fc initiates downstream inflammatory signaling and targets the immune complexes for proteasomal degradation. In APCs, peptides generated by proteasomes are loaded onto MHC class I molecules to stimulate CD8 T cell responses, which are crucial for effective immunity to pathogens. We hypothesized that increasing the affinity between immune complexes and TRIM21 might markedly improve CD8 T cell responses to Ags processed by the TRIM21 pathway. Using phage display technology, we engineered the human IgG1 Fc to increase its affinity for TRIM21 by 100-fold. Adenovirus immune complexes with the engineered Fc induced greater maturation of human dendritic cells (DC) than immune complexes with unmodified Fc and stimulated increased Ag-specific CD8 T cell proliferation and IFN-γ release in cocultures of DC-PBMC. Thus, by increasing the affinity between Fc and TRIM21, Ags from immune complexes undergo enhanced cross-presentation on DC, leading to greater CD8 T cell responses. Our study reveals an approach that could potentially be used in vaccines to increase cytotoxic T cell responses against Ags that are targeted or delivered by Fc-modified Abs.
Circulating Truncated Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Glycoprotein in Patient Plasma Retains Anti-Inflammatory Capacity
Authors: Reeves Emer P. , Dunlea Danielle M. , McQuillan Karen , O’Dwyer Ciara A. , Carroll Tomás P. , Saldova Radka , Akepati Prithvi Reddy , Wormald Mark R. , McElvaney Oliver J. , Shutchaidat Vipatsorn , Henry Michael , Meleady Paula , Keenan Joanne , Liberti Derek C. , Kotton Darrell N. , Rudd Pauline M. , Wilson Andrew A. , McElvaney Noel G.
Published: February 2019

Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is an acute phase protein that possesses immune-regulatory and anti-inflammatory functions independent of antiprotease activity. AAT deficiency (AATD) is associated with early-onset emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Of interest are the AATD nonsense mutations (termed null or Q0), the majority of which arise from premature termination codons in the mRNA coding region. We have recently demonstrated that plasma from an AATD patient homozygous for the Null Bolton allele (Q0bolton) contains AAT protein of truncated size. Although the potential to alleviate the phenotypic consequences of AATD by increasing levels of truncated protein holds therapeutic promise, protein functionality is key. The goal of this study was to evaluate the structural features and anti-inflammatory capacity of Q0bolton-AAT. A low-abundance, truncated AAT protein was confirmed in plasma of a Q0bolton-AATD patient and was secreted by patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell–hepatic cells. Functional assays confirmed the ability of purified Q0bolton-AAT protein to bind neutrophil elastase and to inhibit protease activity. Q0bolton-AAT bound IL-8 and leukotriene B4, comparable to healthy control M-AAT, and significantly decreased leukotriene B4–induced neutrophil adhesion (p = 0.04). Through a mechanism involving increased mRNA stability (p = 0.007), ataluren treatment of HEK-293 significantly increased Q0bolton-AAT mRNA expression (p = 0.03) and Q0bolton-AAT truncated protein secretion (p = 0.04). Results support the rationale for treatment with pharmacological agents that augment levels of functional Q0bolton-AAT protein, thus offering a potential therapeutic option for AATD patients with rare mutations of similar theratype.
Borassus aethiopum Mart. (Arecaceae) in Limpopo province with a key to South African palms
Authors: Siebert Stefan J. , Struwig Madeleen
Published: February 2019

Background: Borassus aethiopum Mart. commonly occurs in many parts of tropical Africa and in South Africa it is restricted to the Leydsdorp region where it is conspicuous along the Selati River. The species is sometimes considered to have been introduced to South Africa due to its disjunct distribution. It has remained poorly studied and little is known about the local populations of this palm.Objectives: This study provides a descriptive treatment and documents the population structure of B. aethiopum in this area, and presents a key to the six indigenous palm species of South Africa.Methods: All accessible populations were surveyed and documented, and eight transects were randomly placed to gather data on size class distributions. B. aethiopum and other indigenous palm species were compared morphologically.Results: The population structure analyses of B. aethiopum revealed a monotonic decline, but the permutation index suggested that the species is prone to recruitment events. This is supported by patches that are dominated by specific height classes. Leaf shape and size, fruit size and geographical distribution were the diagnostic characters most useful to recognize the species of South African indigenous palms.Conclusion: Borassus aethiopum is distinguishable from other South African palms based on stem, leaf and fruit characters. It is considered as indigenous to Granite Lowveld as the palm is part of the natural vegetation and is characterized by a size class distribution reflecting a stable population.
Compliance to the Integrated School Health Policy: Intersectoral and multisectoral collaboration
Authors: Rasesemola Richard M. , Matshoge Gert P. , Ramukumba Tendani S.
Published: February 2019

Background: Implementation of the Integrated School Health Policy (ISHP) requires strong intersectoral collaboration on the part of key role players such as the Department of Health, Department of Basic Education and Department of Social Development. These departments and educational structures such as school governing bodies, teacher unions and learner organisations, academic institutions, civil society and development partner organisations are also expected to contribute to the development of sustainable and comprehensive school health programmes.Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe the compliance of the schools in the City of Tshwane to the ISHP in 2015.Method: A quantitative, explorative and descriptive study was conducted in the City of Tshwane using a questionnaire to determine the extent of compliance to the application of the ISHP in selected schools.Results: The results indicated a widespread non-compliance to ISHP programmes. There was insufficient stakeholder integration in the school health programmes at schools in the City of Tshwane.Conclusion: The lack of collaboration with relevant stakeholders in school health service delivery will lead to a fragmented, uncoordinated and unsustainable approach to the execution of ISHP programmes. This might result in delayed or no detection and intervention in cases of, among others, mental, psychosocial and health challenges to learning, as well as development of nutrition-related conditions.
Nurses’ attitudes towards the implementation of the Mother-Baby Friendly Initiative in selected primary healthcare facilities at Makhuduthamaga Municipality, Limpopo province
Authors: Mgolozeli Siyabulela E. , Shilubane Hilda N. , Khoza Lunic B.
Published: February 2019

Background: The implementation of the Mother-Baby Friendly Initiative (MBFI) strategy demonstrated its capabilities to improve global children’s health and maternal survival. However, its implementation in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities remains a challenge as many nurses are reluctant to adopt it for the improvement of child and maternal healthcare services in their respective clinics.Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to determine the attitudes of nurses towards the implementation of the MBFI in selected PHC facilities in the Makhuduthamaga Municipality, Limpopo province.Method: This study used a quantitative, descriptive design, and all respondents were conveniently sampled. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. One-hundred and seventy-seven questionnaires were distributed, and 153 nurses responded and completed the questionnaire. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 was used to analyse data.Results: Results show that the majority of nurses (professional nurses [PNs] = 65, 78%; enrolled nurses [ENs] = 18, 72%; enrolled nursing auxiliaries [ENAs] = 23, 51%) had a positive attitude towards the MBFI strategy implementation as they agreed that it increased breastfeeding rates. Most PNs (n = 58, 70%) and ENs (n = 15, 60%) showed positive attitudes towards exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) as they agreed that it was the ideal feeding option for any child, and most ENAs (n = 38, 84%) showed a negative attitude as they disagreed that EBF was the ideal feeding option for any child.Conclusion: In this study, most PNs and ENs had a positive attitude in all the aspects that determined their attitudes towards MBFI strategy implementation. A concern is the fact that most ENAs showed negative attitudes in almost all the statements that were in line with the principles of MBFI, as they disagreed in most aspects. Therefore, this study recommends that on-going orientation and trainings should be offered to all nurses including ENAs to equip them with information that can assist in changing their attitudes towards MBFI implementation in PHC facilities.
The antecedents and postcedents of satisfaction in business-to-business relationships in South Africa
Authors: Roberts-Lombard Mornay , Mpinganjira Mercy , Svensson Goran
Published: February 2019

Background: A relationship marketing approach to the management of business relationships can enhance overall customer satisfaction and reduce economic risks, such as opportunism that is associated with business dealings.Aim: The aim of this study was to establish whether a positive relationship exists between trust and commitment, whether trust has a positive influence on commitment, whether trust and commitment positively influence satisfaction and whether opportunism and conflict are outcomes of satisfaction in South African buyer–supplier relationships.Setting: Top 500 companies operating in the South African private sector.Methods: Using a structured questionnaire, data were gathered from 250 large companies in South Africa and were analysed through the application of structural equation modelling (SEM).Results: The findings indicate that both trust and commitment were perceived as important antecedents of satisfaction in a South African business-to-business environment, and that trust is a precursor to commitment in relationship building between organisational buyers and sellers in South Africa. This study adds value by assisting business-to-business buyers and sellers in South Africa on variables to consider when developing relationship-building strategies.Conclusion: Both parties to a relationship should therefore build relationships founded on trust and commitment. This will enhance their joint satisfaction, resulting in less opportunism and conflict, and will foster long-term relationship building based on mutual satisfaction. In contrast, dissatisfaction could increase opportunism and conflict between the parties, leading eventually to the termination of their business relationship.
A socially inclusive teaching strategy for fourth grade English (second) language learners in a South African school
Authors: Malebese Mots'elisi L. , Tlali Moeketsi F. , Mahlomaholo Sechaba
Published: February 2019

Background: Learners from predominantly less priviledged South African schools encounter English as a language of teaching and learning for the first time in Grade 4. The transition from the use of home language to second language, namely English first additional language, is complexly related to the learners’ inability to read text meaningfully. This complexity is traceable to the reading materials, actual teaching practices and learners’ cultural underpinnings. Learners’ inability to read text meaningfully impacts negatively their academic performance in general.Aim: This article demonstrates how a socially inclusive teaching strategy is used to enhance the teaching of reading in a second additional language to Grade 4 learners.Setting: A one-teacher public school situated on a remote private property with bad access roads. Learners from neighbouring farms walked long distances to school. The teacher’s administrative work and workshops often clashed with teaching and learning that received very limited support.Methods: The principles of the free attitude interview technique and critical discourse analysis were used to generate and analyse the data. Socially inclusive teaching strategy that is participatory action research-oriented and underpinned by critical emancipatory research principles guided the study.Results: The use of socially inclusive teaching strategy helped improve reading of English text significantly.Conclusion: Socially inclusive teaching strategy can help improve learning and teaching support materials, teacher support and learning.
A high unemployment and labour market segmentation: A three-segment macroeconomic model
Authors: Burger Philippe , Fourie Frederick
Published: February 2019

Background: South Africa suffers from an unusually high unemployment rate – officially averaging 25% since 1999Q3. In addition, depending on whether one uses the official or broad definitions of unemployment, since 2008 there are on average between 2 and 3.3 times as many unemployed people as there are people in the informal sector. Hence the question: why do the unemployed not enter the informal sector to create a livelihood?Aim: To fill this gap we propose a macro-economic framework that incorporates both formal (primary) and informal (secondary) sectors, as well as involuntary unemployment resulting from entry barriers to the labour market. We believe such a model provides a more suitable basis for macroeconomic policy analysis.Setting: Standard macroeconomic theories at best provide a partial explanation for the South African unemployment problem, focusing mostly on the formal sector.Methods: The article uses a theoretical analysis.Results: The article presents a macro-economic framework that incorporates both formal (primary) and informal (secondary) sectors, as well as involuntary unemployment resulting from entry barriers to the labour market.Conclusion: If the assumptions on which the model draws hold in the South African reality, then a solution to the unem-ployment problem involve policies addressing product and labour market structures and behaviour in the primary sector, as well as policies addressing the numerous barriers to entry, such as borrowing constraints, that poten-tial entrants into the secondary sector face.