bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adenoidectomy versus mometasone furoate nasal spray in treatment of nasal obstruction in children due to adenoid hypertrophy: a comparative study
Authors: Pai Vishwas K. , Shetty Shravan S. , Devan P. P. , Mahesh S. G.
Published: January 2019

Background: One of the common causes for nasal obstruction in children is adenoid hypertrophy. It is common indication for surgical removal in these patients due to multiple morbidities. In severe symptoms adenoidectomy is recommended, however there are limitations for surgery like cleft palate.The safety of nasal steroid spray has been well reported. The aim of the current study is to determine the effectiveness of adenoidectomy verses mometasone nasal spray in treatment of children with adenoid hypertrophy.

Methods: Randomized prospective study was conducted in the department of ENT on 60 children who met the inclusion criteria. They were randomized into 2 groups and pre-treatment scoring was accessed. Group A underwent adenoidectomy and Group B underwent mometasonefuroate nasal spray therapy. Patients were evaluated on 40th day, 4th month.  

Results: During the 40th day follow up post treatment, a significant difference was found with no nasal obstruction in 93.3% patients who underwent adenoidectomy compared to 63.3% for those treated with MF nasal. At follow up after 4 months, 93.3% patients in group A had had improvement in clinically as compared to 76.6% in group B were nasal obstruction was relived. In group A, there was significant reduction in adenoid grading after adenoidectomy compared to MF nasal spray at 40 days follow up (p≤0.001). However long term MF nasal spray also associated with significant reduction in the size.

Conclusions: In patients were adenoidectomy is contraindicated, long term MF nasal spray treatment has good efficacy in treatment of nasal obstruction due to adenoid hypertrophy.
Rare complications of sinusitis: case series
Authors: Tanthry Deepalakshmi , Sunny Chikku T. , Mahesh S. G. , Devan P. P.
Published: January 2019

Sinusitis complications affecting multiple sites are very uncommon in the antibiotic era. However, a significant proportion of patients (5-40%) suffering from acute sinusitis can have these complications mostly due to the delayed diagnosis of the disease. Patients can have variable presentations according to the site and extent of the infection. All the patients were subjected to thorough clinical examination, ophthalmological evaluation and radiological evaluation. Computed tomography of paranasal sinuses both axial and coronal planes, MRI in selected cases and histopathology are the study tools used in this study. All the patients in this study received appropriate medical and surgical treatment and done a follow up evaluation every month. A thorough clinical and radiological evaluation along with early management of the disease can prevent complications of sinusitis and further deterioration of the disease to a larger extent.
A percepção dos servidores de uma instituição pública de ensino a distancia sobre a importância das boas práticas em gestão de projetos
Authors: Conceição Marcelo pereira da , Filho Americo da Costa Ramos
Published: January 2019

No Brasil, as instituições públicas de ensino a distancia exercem um grande papel de democratização do ensino, seja no segmento da educação de jovens e adultos como no ensino profissionalizante e de educação superior. O artigo tem por objetivo mostrar como os servidores de uma instituição pública de ensino a distancia percebem como as boas práticas da gestão de projetos podem influenciar no desenvolvimento das atividades da instituição. Para tanto foi realizado uma pesquisa de cunho qualitativo por meio de aplicação de questionário em um estudo único de caso. Como principais resultados este estudo observou-se que embora não haja um conhecimento concreto sobre as boas praticas em gestão de projetos, estas se tornam quase que intuitiva e presente nas atividades dos entrevistados. Outro resultado importante esta no fato que a área de conhecimento mais citado como essencial, tanto para fundação como para o desempenho das atividades dos entrevistados, é a dos Recursos Humanos seguida pela área de comunicação e risco. Desta forma, esperamos que o trabalho desenvolvido contribuísse para uma reflexão sobre a importância da adoção de boas práticas de gestão de projetos aplicadas a área pública.
Student questions as significant potential for student learning
Authors: Pavelkova Marie
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this study is to discuss the student question as significant potential for supporting student learning. Student questions were investigated using the direct observation method during mathematics lessons. The research sample consisted of six mathematics lessons. The results demonstrate that if a student asks questions about the information he requires to resolve a learning assignment actively in the context of tuition, he also comes up with ideas on how to proceed in the context of resolving the learning assignment. We created a student question typology which points out how students might involve in their learning process by asking questions and thereby better understanding what they know and what is new to them from the lesson content. We consider creation of this typology to be the pilot part of actual research of student questions at the beginning of school attendance.

 

Keywords: Student questions, students learning, typology.
Whatâ€™s happening with women leaders in higher education: Understanding careers for women in the higher education sector of Pakistan
Authors: Riaz Nishat , Sultan Shahida , Dossa Nida , Aftab Faisal
Published: January 2019

Despite funding opportunities to PhDs and Post-Docs, as well as various faculty recruitment programmes, there are still a number of issues facing academics in Pakistan, especially in building a successful and productive academic career. According to HEC Medium-Term Development Framework II, the HEC is still facing â€˜low quality and lack of employability of college and private graduates; lack of appropriately qualified high quality research faculty for universities and lack of capacity for continuous faculty and staff developmentâ€™. This study aims to provide evidence to support the development of informed strategies for career development for academics in Pakistani Higher Education Institutions, in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC). This paper delineates key findings and suggests strategies to promote academic careers and scholarship among faculty of HEIs with a specific focus on promoting women.

 

Keywords: Academic careers, higher education, women leadership, mentoring, gender issues.
Typical questions of pupils at primary school level
Authors: Smejkalova Karolina
Published: January 2019

This work deals with the questions of pupils at the first level of elementary school. The aim of this text is to theoretically analyse some questions of pupils observed during the lessons and to categorise them according to their frequency of occurrence and to assign them to a specific typology defined by the theoretical pedagogy. Some previous research on pupils' questions showed that most students ask merely general questions of organisational character, which is what we aim to explore in this paper. These general questions also play a role during the class but they do not reflect the current scenario of learning activities with pupils. In the last part of this paper, we provide a basis for new proposals that could help intensifying pupilsâ€™ questions during the courses and to contribute to their better use and work with them in class.

 

Keywords: Pupil questions, types of pupil questions, frequency of occurrence, relationship of pupilsâ€™ questions to learning goals and learning tasks.
The satisfaction degree of the consumers in regards to the product â€˜physical therapyâ€™ in rehabilitation centres
Authors: Dobrescu Tatiana
Published: January 2019

The aim of this study is to identify the rehabilitation centre customerâ€™s satisfaction degree taking into consideration the characteristics for this type of services. The research was conducted in the year 2018, on a group of 43 patients, with ages between 18 and 65 years. The questionnaire aimed to assess the satisfaction degree of the kinetics consumers and to spot the elements in the specialised centres that would win the loyalty of a customer. It was structured in four sections, considering the complexity of the decisional process in managing a centre, and the complex behaviour of the consumer throughout the whole session. The interpretation of the results on the basis of satisfaction scores for all the determining attributes/factors which the consumers said they were â€˜very happyâ€™ about, will ease the creation of loyalty strategies, price, product and personnel strategies, and also actions with an immediate result, to diminish the clientsâ€™ migration.

 

Keywords: The satisfaction degree, loyal consumer, physical therapy, rehabilitation centre.
Indoor Navigation Systems for Blind People
Authors: Hojjat Ali
Published: January 2019

Indoor navigation systems must deal with absence of GPS signals, since they are only available in outdoor environments. Therefore, indoor systems have to rely upon other techniques for positioning users. Recently various indoor navigation systems have been designed and developed to help visually impaired people. In this paper an overview of some existing indoor navigation systems for visually impaired people are presented and they are compared from different perspectives. The evaluated techniques are ultrasonic systems, RFID-based solutions, computer vision aided navigation systems, ans smartphone-based applications.
Intercomparison between Switch 2.0 and GE MAPS Models for Simulation of High-Renewable Power Systems in Hawaii
Authors: Fripp Matthias
Published: January 2019

Background: New open-source electric-grid planning models have the potential to improve power system planning and bring a wider range of stakeholders into the planning process for next-generation, high-renewable power systems. However, it has not yet been established whether open-source models perform similarly to the more established commercial models for power system analysis. This reduces their credibility and attractiveness to stakeholders, postponing the benefits they could offer. In this paper, we report the first model intercomparison between an open-source power system model and an established commercial production cost model. Results: We compare the open-source Switch 2.0 to GE Energy Consulting’s Multi Area Production Simulation (MAPS) for production-cost modeling, considering hourly operation under 17 scenarios of renewable energy adoption in Hawaii. We find that after configuring Switch with similar inputs to MAPS, the two models agree closely on hourly and annual production from all power sources. Comparing production gave a coefficient of determination of 0.996 across all energy sources and scenarios, indicating that the two models agree on 99.6% of the variation. For individual energy sources, the coefficient of determination was 69–100. Conclusions: Although some disagreement remains between the two models, this work indicates that Switch is a viable choice for renewable integration modeling, at least for the small power systems considered here. Although some disagreement remains between the two models, this work indicates that Switch is a viable choice for renewable integration modeling, at least for the small power systems considered here.
The Impact of Climate Change on Hydroecological Response in Chalk Streams
Authors: Visser Annie , Beevers Lindsay , Patidar Sandhya
Published: January 2019

Climate change represents a major threat to lotic freshwater ecosystems and their ability to support the provision of ecosystem services. England’s chalk streams are in a poor state of health, with significant concerns regarding their resilience, the ability to adapt, under a changing climate. This paper aims to quantify the effect of climate change on hydroecological response, the health of the river, for the River Nar, a SSSI in the south-east of England. To this end, we apply a coupled hydrological and hydroecological modelling framework, with the UKCP09 probabilistic climate projections serving as input (A1B high emissions scenario). Results show that, from 2021 to the end of the century, hydroecological response becomes more heterogeneous. Despite the limited range of the functional feeding groups on the baseline, the River Nar has been able to adapt to extreme events due to inter-annual variation. In the future, this variation is greatly reduced, raising real concerns over the resilience of the river ecosystem under climate change. These new insights into the health of the River Nar, and chalk streams more generally, highlights the necessity of further study and the real need to for changed river management practices.
Back-end-of-the-line MEMS switches for power management, ESD and security
Authors: Tazin Nusrat , Saab Daniel G. , Tabib-Azar Massood
Published: January 2019

This paper discusses a MEMS switch that can be fabricated using low temperature (<100oC) deposition and patterning techniques suitable for the back-end-of-the-line integration with CMOS. The resulting cross-bar switches can be used for electrostatic discharge protection, FPGA implementation, chip security assessment and lock-down, and circuit block power management. We discuss platinum and iron switch with turn-on voltages of ~ 1.8 V. In the case of the iron switches, we also show that they can be magnetized to have “memory” and stay on when turned on. Platinum switch cycling of up to 1000 times did not show any changes in their turn-on voltage and their contact resistance was unchanged. The 10-100 nm switch airgaps were formed using low temperature sputtered sacrificial polysilicon and XeF2 etching. XeF2 does not attack any of the metals used in CMOS enabling fabrication of cross-bar switches with any of these metals. Once activated, it takes ∿ 6  to mechanically turn on the switch that can be decreased to ~1 ns by optimizing the device structure. Interestingly, the nm-scale gaps can be used as spark gap as a fast plasma switch to discharge first followed by the activation of the MEMS switch.
Family Functioning, Emotional Intelligence and Values: Analysis of the Relationship with Aggressive Behavior in Adolescents
Authors: Pérez-Fuentes María del Carmen , Molero María del Mar , Barragán Ana Belén , Gázquez Linares José Jesús
Published: January 2019

Aggressive behavior in adolescence is influenced by a diversity of individual, family and social variables. The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between family functioning, emotional intelligence and values for development of different types of aggression, as well as to establish profiles according to the predictor variables of aggression. To do this, a sample of 317 high school students aged 13 to 18 were administered the Peer Conflict Scale, the Family Functionality Scale, the Brief Emotional Intelligence Inventory for Senior Citizens and the Values for Adolescent Development Scales. The study showed that stress management, positive adolescent development and family functioning predominated in nonaggressive subjects with higher scores than aggressors. There was also a negative relationship between the different types of aggression and emotional intelligence, positive values and family functioning. In addition, two different profiles were found. The first had low scores on all the variables, while the second profile had higher scores on all the variables except family functioning which was higher.
The Sacred Landscape of the “Pyramids” of the Han Emperors: A Cognitive Approach to Sustainability
Authors: Magli Giulio
Published: January 2019

The so-called “Chinese pyramids” are huge burial mounds covering the tombs of the Emperors of the Western Han dynasty. If we include also the mounds of the members of the royal families, these monuments sum up to more than 40, scattered throughout the western and the southern outskirts of modern Xi'an. They are mostly unexcavated and poorly known although, taken together, they form a fascinating sacred landscape, which was conceived as a perennial witness of one of the most magnificent Chinese dynasties. This sacred landscape is today encroached by the frenetic urban development of the Xi’an urban area. We discuss and elaborate here some of the results of a recent, new satellite-imagery survey of these monuments, highlighting the aspects which may contribute to solutions for a sustainable and compatible development within this important ancient landscape.
Synergistic Effect of Mica, Glass Frit and Melamine Cyanurate for Improving Fire Resistance of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Composites Destined for Ceramizable Coatings
Authors: Imiela Mateusz , Anyszka Rafał , Bieliński Dariusz , Lipińska Magdalena , Rybiński Przemysław , Syrek Bartłomiej
Published: January 2019

Synergistic effect of different fillers is widely utilized in polymer technology. The combination of various types of fillers is used to improve various properties of polymer composites. In this paper a synergistic effect of flame retardants was tested for the improvement of ceramizable composites performance. The composites were based of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) used as polymer matrix. Three different types of flame retardants were tested for synergistic effect: Mica (phlogopite) high aspect-ratio platelets along with low softening point temperature glass frit (featuring ceramization effect) and melamine cyanurate, a commonly used flame retardant promoting carbonaceous char. In order to characterize the properties of the composites, combustibility, viscoelastic properties and mechanical properties before and after ceramization were tested. The results obtained show that the synergistic effect of ceramization promoting fillers and melamine cyanurate is especially visible with respect to the flame retardant properties resulting in a significant improvement of fire resistance of the composites.
Association of Physiological Responses and Root Distribution Patterns to Ratooning Ability and Yield of the Second Ratoon Cane in Sugarcane Elite Clone
Authors: Chumphu Saranya , Jongrungklang Nuntawoot , Songsri Patcharin
Published: January 2019

The objective of this study was to determine the association of physiological responses and root distribution patterns on yield of the second ratoon cane and the relationships among these traits. Seventeen sugarcane genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The second ratoon crop was evaluated for germination percentage, cane yield, SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR), chlorophyll fluorescence, relative water content (RWC), specific leaf area (SLA) and stomatal conductance. Root length density (RLD) was evaluated by auger method. The root samples were divided into upper soil layer and lowers soil layers to study root distribution patterns. Sugarcane genotypes were significantly different for RLD, germination percentage and cane yield. Root distribution patterns were classified into three groups based on the RLD. High RLD between plants in the upper soil layers at 90 DAH was positively correlated with high germination, whereas high RLD between rows in the lower soil layers at 90 and 270 DAH was associated with high cane yield. RWC at 90 DAH and stomatal conductance at 180 DAH were closely related to germination percentage, whereas chlorophyll fluorescence and stomatal conductance at 180 DAH were closely related to cane yield.
Nearly Single-Cycle Terahertz Pulse Generation in Aperiodically Poled Lithium Niobate
Authors: Avetisyan Yuri , Tonouchi Masayoshi
Published: January 2019

In present work an opportunity of nearly single-cycle THz pulse generation in aperiodically poled lithium niobate (APPLN) crystal is studied. A radiating antenna model is used to simulate the THz generation from chirped APPLN crystal pumped by a sequence of femtosecond laser pulses with chirped delays m (m = 1, 2, 3 …) between adjacent pulses. It is shown that by appropriative choosing m it is possible to obtain temporally overlap of all THz pulses generated from positive (or negative) domains. It results in the formation of a nearly single-cycle THz pulse, if the chirp rate of domain length  in the crystal is sufficiently large. In opposite case, a few cycle THz pulses are generated with the number of the cycles depending on . The closed form expression for THz pulse form is obtained. The peak THz electric field strength of 0.3 MV/cm is predicted for APPLN crystal pumped by the sequence of laser pulses with peak intensity of the separate pulse in the sequence about 20 GW/cm2. By focusing the THz beam and by increasing the pump power the field strength can reach values of an order of few MV/cm.
Determining the AMSR-E SST Footprint from Co-located MODIS SSTs
Authors: Boussidi Brahim , Cornillon Peter , Puggioni Gavino , Gentemann Chelle
Published: January 2019

This study was undertaken to derive and analyze the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer - EOS (AMSR-E) sea surface temperature (SST) footprint associated with the Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) Level-2 (L2) product. The footprint, in this case, is characterized by the weight attributed to each 4 4 km square contributing to the SST value of a given AMSR-E pixel. High-resolution L2 SST fields obtained from the MODerate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), carried on the same spacecraft as AMSR-E, are used as the sub-resolution “ground truth“ from which the AMSR-E footprint is determined. Mathematically, the approach is equivalent to a linear inversion problem, and its solution is pursued by means of a constrained least square approximation based on the bootstrap sampling procedure. The method yielded an elliptic-like Gaussian kernel with an aspect ratio 1.58, very close to the AMSR-E 6.93GHz channel aspect ratio, 1.7. (The 6.93GHz channel is the primary spectral frequency used to determine SST.) The semi-major axis of the estimated footprint is found to be alignedwith the instantaneous field-of-view of the sensor as expected fromthe geometric characteristics of AMSR-E. Footprintswere also analyzed year-by-year and as a function of latitude and found to be stable – no dependence on latitude or on time. Precise knowledge of the footprint is central for any satellite-derived product characterization and, in particular, for efforts to deconvolve the heavily oversampled AMSR-E SST fields and for studies devoted to product validation and comparison. A preliminarly analysis suggests that use of the derived footprint will reduce the variance between AMSR-E and MODIS fields compared to the results obtained.
Discrete Maximum Principle and Energy Stability of Compact Difference Scheme for the Allen-Cahn Equation
Authors: Tian Dan , Jin Yuanfeng , Lv Gang
Published: January 2019

In the paper, a fully discrete compact difference scheme with $O(\tau^{2}+h^{4})$ precision is established by considering the numerical approximation of the one-dimensional Allen-Cahn equation. The numerical solutions satisfy discrete maximum principle under reasonable step ratio and time step constraint is proved. And the energy stability for the fully discrete scheme is investigated. An example is finally presented to show the effectiveness of scheme.
Vortex Interactions Subjected to Deformation Flows: A Review
Authors: Koshel Konstantin V. , Ryzhov Eugene A. , Carton Xavier J.
Published: January 2019

Deformation flows are flows incorporating shear, strain and rotational components. These flows are ubiquitous in the geophysical flows, such as the ocean and atmosphere. They appear near almost any salience, such as isolated coherent structures (vortices and jets), various fixed obstacles (submerged obstacles, continental boundaries). Fluid structures subject to such deformation flows may exhibit drastic changes in motion. In this review paper, we focus on the motion of a small number of coherent vortices embedded in deformation flows. Problems involving isolated one and two vortices are addressed. When considering a single-vortex problem, the main focus is on the evolution of the vortex boundary and its influence on the passive scalar motion. Two vortex problems are addressed with the use of point vortex models, and the resulting stirring patterns of neighbouring scalars are studied by a combination of numerical and analytical methods from the dynamical system theory. Many dynamical effects are reviewed with emphasis on the emergence of chaotic motion of the vortex phase trajectories and the scalars in their immediate vicinity.
Staircase Recognition and Localization Using Convolution Neural Network (CNN) for Cleaning Robot Application
Authors: Ilyas Muhammad , Lakshmanan Anirudh Krishna , Le Anh Vu , Elara Mohan Rajesh
Published: January 2019

Multi-floor environments are usually ignored while designing an autonomous robot for indoor cleaning applications. However, for efficient operation in such environments, the ability of a robotic platform to traverse staircases is crucial. Staircase detection and localization is highly important for planning the traversal on staircases. This paper describes a deep learning approach using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) based Robot Operation System (ROS) to staircase detection and localization. We use an object detection network to detect staircases in images. We also localize these staircases using a contour detection algorithm to detect the target point, a point close to the center of the first step, and the angle of approach to the target point. Experiments are performed with data obtained from images captured on different types of staircases at different view points/angles. Results show that the approach is very accurate in identifying the presence of the staircase in the working environment and is also able to locate the target point with good accuracy.
The Correlation and Causality Research between Baidu Index and Stock price: An Empirical Study in China Solar Energy Industry
Authors: Huang Jian , Zeng Yingqi , Chen Siyan , Tang Shuhui , Gong Xueting , Li Chengyu
Published: January 2019

Chinese investors are easily affected by hot topics on the media and Internet and likely take irrational behavior. They tend to consume rationally and invest emotionally. This research aims to analyze the Baidu index’s effect on share price of solar power industry in China. Three main models are established to identify the correlation between Baidu index and stock price of solar industry. The media index and searching index of Baidu are chosen as an independent variable to measure the influence from media and Internet, and stock price as the dependent variable. To improve and complete the analysis, Hexun index is taken into consideration as mediator variable. This study applied Multiple Linear Regression Model and VAR (Vector auto-regression) Model. The research mainly uses the tools of SPSS, Eviews and Excel to conduct data analysis. The test is based on the theories of Granger Causality, unit root test, F-test, and t-test. The research proves the relationship between the close price of stock and Baidu index, and it also created a model for further forecasting.
Improved Hardy Cross Method for Pipe Networks
Authors: Brkić Dejan , Praks Pavel
Published: January 2019

Hardy Cross originally proposed a method for analysis of flow in networks of conduits or conductors in 1936. His method was the first really useful engineering method in the field of pipe network calculation. Only electrical analogs of hydraulic networks were used before the Hardy Cross method. A problem with the flow resistance versus the electrical resistance makes these electrical analog methods obsolete. The method by Hardy Cross is taught extensively at faculties and it still remains an important tool for analysis of looped pipe systems. Engineers today mostly use a modified Hardy Cross method which threats the whole looped network of pipes simultaneously (use of these methods without computers is practically impossible). A method from the Russian practice published during 1930s, which is similar to the Hardy Cross method, is described, too. Some notes from the life of Hardy Cross are also shown. Finally, an improved version of the Hardy Cross method, which significantly reduces number of iterations, is presented and discussed.
Integral Representations and Algebraic Decompositions of the Fox-Wright Type of Special Functions
Authors: Prodanov Dimiter
Published: January 2019

The manuscript surveys the special functions of the Fox-Wright type. These functions are generalizations of the hypergeometric functions. Notable representatives of the type are the Mittag-Leffler functions and the Wright function. The integral representations of such functions are given and the conditions under which these function can be represented by simpler functions are demonstrated. The connection with generalized fractional differential and integral operators is demonstrated and discussed.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Duodenum
Authors: Aslaner Arif , Çakır Tuğrul , Eyvaz Kemal , Kazan Murat Kazım
Published: January 2019

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the mostly seen mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal system. This rare tumor in duodenum is seen 5%. The diagnosis and treatment is hard because of its rarity and location. Case: A 63-year-old man with a solid mass at the third part of the duodenum, and local segmental resection of the tumor was performed. The histopathology was reported as gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the duodenum with negative surgical margins. Discussion: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors at the duodenum are seen rarely. They can be asymptomatic or may involve symptoms of upper GI bleeding and abdominal pain at presentation. Because of the misleading clinical presentation the differential diagnosis may be difficult. Tumors less than 2 cm can be followed by endoscopic ultrasound. Local segmental resection with 1cm clear margin is the treatment choice.
Sequential Immunization with Universal Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine Candidates Protects Ferrets against a High-Dose Heterologous Virus Challenge
Authors: Isakova-Sivak Irina , Matyushenko Victoria , Kotomina Tatiana , Kiseleva Irina , Krutikova Elena , Donina Svetlana , Rekstin Andrey , Larionova Natalia , Sivak Konstantin , Muzhikyan Arman , Katelnikova Anastasia , Rudenko Larisa
Published: January 2019

The development of universal influenza vaccines, i.e. vaccines that can provide broad protection against seasonal and potentially pandemic influenza viruses, has been a priority for more than 20 years. Several approaches have been proposed that redirect the adaptive immune responses from immunodominant hypervariable regions to low-immunogenic but highly conserved regions of viral proteins. Here we induced broadly reactive anti-hemagglutinin (HA) stalk antibody by sequential immunizations with live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) expressing chimeric HA (cHA). These vaccines contained the HA stalk domain from H1N1pdm09 virus but antigenically unrelated globular head domains from avian influenza viruses H5N1, H8N4 and H9N2. In addition, the source of the viral nucleoprotein (NP) of the LAIV strains was changed from A/Leningrad/17 master donor virus (MDV) to wild-type (WT) H1N1pdm09 virus, in order to induce CD8 T-cell immune responses more relevant to current infections. To avoid any difference in protective effect of the various anti-neuraminidase (NA) antibodies, all LAIVs were engineered to contain the NA gene of Len/17 MDV. Naïve ferrets were immunized with three doses of (i) classical LAIVs containing non-chimeric HA and NP from MDV (LAIVs (NP-MDV)); (ii) cHA-based LAIVs containing NP from MDV (cHA LAIVs (NP-MDV)); and (iii) cHA-based LAIVs containing NP from H1N1pdm09 virus (cHA LAIVs (NP-WT)). A high-dose challenge with H1N1pdm09 virus induced significant pathology in the control, non-immunized ferrets, including high virus titers in respiratory tissues, clinical signs of disease and histopathological changes in nasal turbinates and lung tissues. All three vaccination regimens protected animals from clinical manifestations of disease: immunized ferrets did not lose weight or show clinical symptoms, and their fever was significantly lower than in the control group. Further analysis of virological and pathological data revealed the following hierarchy in the cross-protective efficacy of the vaccines: cHA LAIVs (NP-WT) > cHA LAIVs (NP-MDV) > LAIVs (NP-MDV). This ferret study showed that prototype universal LAIVs that combine the two approaches of inducing anti-HA stalk antibody and more relevant CD8 T-cell immune responses are highly promising candidates for further clinical development.
A Century of Futurist Architecture: From Theory to Reality
Authors: Asim Farhan , Shree Venu
Published: January 2019

The Italian Architect Antonio Sant’Elia is considered the father of Futurist Architecture, the one who envisioned the future of cities on the basis of the native population’s work culture and habitual traits. It has been a century since his ideas were introduced in his ‘L-Architettura Futurista - Manifesto’ and later circulated by F.T. Marinetti, today they are making a prodigious impact on the architecture style of the entire world. His revolutionary ideas percolated through the murky aftermath of 19th & 20th century art movements. His out-worldly pre-modernist principles gave rise to the notion of exclusive habitats for generations and started the post-war trend of housing typologies as an industrialized and fast track medium of creating ample habitats. This review paper outlines the ideas and design theory of Antonio Sant’Elia through the advancements and achievements of the 20th & 21st century architects and their significant difference with the rest of historical architecture along with identification of elements of futurist principles in different architectural movements. The paper also makes a deliberate attempt to establish a timeline of developments within the said premise for futurist architecture.
Energy Efficient Tri-State CNFET Ternary Logic Gates
Authors: Tabrizchi Sepher , Sharifi Fazel , Badawy Abdel-Hameed A.
Published: January 2019

Traditional silicon binary circuits continue to face challenges such as high leakage power dissipation and large area of interconnections. Multiple-Valued Logic (MVL) and nano-devices are two feasible solutions to overcome these problems. In this paper, we present a novel method to design ternary logic circuits based on Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistors (CNFETs). The proposed designs use the unique properties of CNFETs, e.g., adjusting the Carbon Nanotube (CNT) diameters to have the desired threshold voltage and have the same mobility of P-FET and N-FET transistors. Each of our designed logic circuits implements a logic function and its complementary via a control signal. Also, these circuits have a high impedance state which saves power while the circuits are not in use. We show a more detailed application of our approach by designing a two-digit adder-subtractor circuit. We simulate the proposed ternary circuits using HSPICE via standard 32nm CNFET technology. The simulation results indicate the correct operation of the designs under different process, voltage and temperature (PVT) variations. Moreover, we designed a two-digit adder/subtractor and a power efficient ternary logic ALU based on the proposed gates. Simulation results show that the two-digit adder/subtractor using our proposed gates has 12X and 5X lower power consumption and PDP (power delay product) respectively, compared to previous designs.
The Functional Implication for Endothelial Gap Junction and Cellular Mechanics in Vascular Angiogenesis
Authors: Okamoto Takayuki , Usuda Haruki , Tanaka Tetsuya , Wada Koichiro , Shimaoka Motomu
Published: January 2019

Angiogenesis, the sprout and growth of new blood vessels from existing vasculature, is an important process of tumor development for the supply of oxygen and nutrition to cancer cells. Endothelial cell is a critical player in angiogenic process by modulating cell proliferation, cell motility, and cell morphology in the response to pro-angiogenic factors and environments provided by tumor and cancer cells. Recent in vivo and in vitro studies have revealed that gap junction of endothelial cells also participates in the promotion of angiogenesis. Pro-angiogenic factors modulate gap junction function and connexins expression in endothelial cells, whereas endothelial connexins involve in angiogenic tube formation and cell migration of endothelial cells via both gap junction channel function dependent or independent mechanisms.  In particular, connexin might have the potential to regulate cell mechanics such as cell morphology, cell migration, and cellular stiffness that are dynamically changed during angiogenic processes. Here, we review the implication for endothelial gap junction and cellular mechanics in vascular angiogenesis.
Drought Adaptation and Coping Strategies among Coffee Farmers in the Central Highlands of Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Le , Nguyen Mau Dung
Published: January 2019

Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world, mostly from the Central Highlands region where water has been becoming a scarce resource. Since 2014, drought has been strongly affecting Central Highlands’ agriculture, particularly coffee production. The drought leads to changes in flowering, ripening and thus harvesting times of coffee. Coffee productivity has reduced about 50 percent. Ultimately, coffee quantity and quality is jeopardized which endangers coffee farmers who occupy 90 per cent of population and their livelihoods mainly rely on coffee. Most of coffee farmers have had to develop alternative strategies to respond to the drought. Based on quantitative and qualitative data collected from 50 coffee households in a community in the Central Highlands, this research has indicated that farmers had to find the ways to adapt as well as to cope with drought. The ways of adaptation and coping were diverse, including short, medium and long-term plans. To strengthen the adaptation and coping strategies of farmers with drought in the short term, it is recommended that authorities provide more technical and financial support to farmers. Furthermore, longer term strategies need to focus on land use planning, investment in irrigation schemes, and consolidated afforestation schemes in appropriate areas.
Probability Study on the Thermal Stress Distribution in the Thick HK40 Stainless Steel Pipe Using Finite Element Method
Authors: Abrar Shaik , Bobba Sujith , Mujeebur Rehman Shaik
Published: January 2019

The present work deals with the development of finite element methodology for obtaining the stress distributions in thick cylindrical HK40 stainless steel pipe that carry high temperature fluids. The material properties and loading are assumed to be random variables. Thermal stresses that are generated along radial, axial and tangential directions are computed generally using analytical expressions which are very complex. To circumvent such an issue, the probability theory and mathematical statistics have been applied to many engineering problems which allows to determine the safety both quantitatively and objectively based on the concepts of reliability. Monte Carlo simulation methodology is used to study the probabilistic characteristics of thermal stresses which is used for estimating the probabilistic distributions of stresses against the variations arising due to material properties and load. A 2-D Probabilistic finite element code is developed in MATLAB and the deterministic solution is compared with ABAQUS solutions.  The values of stresses that are obtained from the variation of elastic modulus are found to be low as compared to the case where the load alone is varying. The probability of failure of the pipe structure is predicted against the variations in internal pressure and thermal gradient. These finite element framework developments are useful for the life estimation of piping structures in high temperature applications and subsequently quantifying the uncertainties in loading and material properties.
Regarding Rational Exponential and Hyperbolic Functions Solutions of Conformable Time-Fractional Phi-four Equation
Authors: Zafar Asim , Korkmaz Alper , Khalid Bushra , Rezazadeh Hadi
Published: January 2019

In this study, we actually want to explore the time-fractional Phi-four equation via two methods, the exp a function method and the hyperbolic function method. We transform a fractional order dierential equation into an ordinary differential equation using a wave transformation and the fractional derivative in conformable form. Then, the resulting equation has successfully been explored for new explicit exact solutions. The procured solutions are simply showed the effectiveness and plainness of the projected methods.
The Impact of Wetting-Heterogeneity Distribution on Capillary Pressure and Macroscopic Measures of Wettability
Authors: Hiller Thomas , Ardevol-Murison Julie , Muggeridge Ann , Schröter Matthias , Brinkmann Martin
Published: January 2019

We investigate the effect of the length scale of wetting heterogeneities, close to the length scale of a pore, on capillary pressure saturation (CPS) curves and the United States Bureau of Mines (USBM) and Amott-Harvey (AH) wettability indices. These macroscopic wettability indices are used to describe bulk rock wettability, because the local contact angle (the standard physical measure of wettability) in a sample is difficult to access and might vary within and between pores caused by changes in mineralogy and the surface coverage of organic materials. Our study combines laboratory experiments and full-scale fluid-dynamics simulations using the multiphase stochastic-rotation dynamics (SRDmc) model. Four model systems were created using monodisperse glass beads. The surface properties of the beads were modified so that one-half of the surface area in each system was strongly hydrophilic and the other half was hydrophobic. However, each system had a different length scale of wetting heterogeneity, ranging from a fraction of a bead diameter to two bead diameters. There is excellent agreement between the experimental and simulation results. All systems are classified as intermediate-wet on the basis of their AH and USBM indices. An examination of the capillary pressure curves shows that the opening of the stable hysteresis loop decreases monotonically as the length scale of the wetting heterogeneities is increased. Thus, our results suggest that macroscopic wettability indices could be used as indicators of ultimate recovery, but they are not suited to discriminate between the different flows that occur earlier in a mixed-wettability displacement process.
CARer-ADministration of as-needed subcutaneous medication for breakthrough symptoms in homebased dying patients (CARiAD): study protocol for a UK-based open randomised pilot trial
Authors: Poolman Marlise , Roberts Jessica , Byrne Anthony , Perkins Paul , Hoare Zoe , Nelson Annmarie , Hiscock Julia , Hughes Dyfrig , Foster Betty , O'Connor Julie , Reymond Liz , Healy Sue , Roberts Rossela , Wee Bee , Lewis Penney , Johnstone Rosalynde , Roberts Sian , Holmes Emily , Wright Stella , Hendry Annie , Wilkinson Clare
Published: January 2019

Background: Whilst the majority of seriously ill people wish to die at home, only half achieve this. The likelihood of someone dying at home often depends on the availability of able and willing lay carers to support them. Dying people are usually unable to take oral medication. When top-up symptom relief medication is required, a clinician travels to the home to administer injectable medication, with attendant delays. The administration of subcutaneous injections by lay carers, though not widespread practice in the UK, has proven key in achieving home deaths in other countries. Our aim is to determine if carer-administration of as-needed subcutaneous medication for four frequent breakthrough symptoms (pain, nausea, restlessness and noisy breathing) in home-based dying patients is feasible and acceptable in the UK.
Methods: The paper describes a randomised pilot trial across three UK sites, with an embedded qualitative study. Dyads of adult patients/carers are eligible, where patients are in the last weeks of life, wish to die at home, and lay carers who are willing to be trained to give subcutaneous medication. Dyads who do not meet strict risk assessment criteria (including known history of substance abuse or carer ability to be trained to competency) will not be approached. Carers in the intervention arm will receive a manualised training package delivered by their local nursing team. Dyads in the control arm will receive usual care. The main outcomes of interest are feasibility, acceptability, recruitment rates, attrition and selection of the most appropriate outcome measures. Interviews with carers and healthcare professionals will explore attitudes to, experiences of and preferences for giving subcutaneous medication and experience of trial processes. The study has obtained full ethical approval.
Discussion: This study will rehearse the procedures and logistics which will be undertaken in a future definitive randomised controlled trial, and will inform the design of such a study. Findings will illuminate methodological and ethical issues pertaining to researching last days of life care.
The study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (Health Technology Assessment [HTA] project 15/10/37).
Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN 11211024. Assigned 27 September 2016, http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN11211024.
Keywords: End-of-life care, Care of the dying, Palliative care, Symptom control, Carer administration, Randomised pilot trial
Intraoperative prevention of cognitive impairment in total intravenous anesthesia in school-age children: randomized clinical trial
Authors: Lugovoy Alexandr V. , Panteleeva M. V. , Nadkina E. D. , Ovezov A. M.
Published: January 2019

Objective. To determine the possibility of prophylactic use of the domestic drug Cytoflavin to reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment after total intravenous anesthesia based on propofol and fentanyl in school-age children.
Material and methods. A prospective randomized clinical trial involving 90 school-age children (ASA I–II) was conducted. Children operated under total intravenous anesthesia on the basis of propofol and fentanyl were randomized into two groups: intraoperative cerebroprotection with cytoflavine 0.25 mg/kg per minute by succinate was performed in group 1 (n = 30), and no cerebroprotection was performed in group 2 (n = 30). For the Z-assessment of cognitive potential, neuropsychological testing of children of the same age who were not subjected to anesthesia was performed (group 3, n = 30).
Research results. There were no significant differences in hemodynamic and neurophysiological parameters in the groups using total intravenous anesthesia based on propofol and fentanyl. Analysis of these parameters showed the safety of the study drug. In the 1 group postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) was detected on the first day of 6.67 % of children, and on the 7th day of postoperative period — at 3.33 %. In group 2, on the first day of the postoperative period, POCD was verified in 13.79 % of patients, on the 7th day — in 27.59 %.
Conclusion. The obtained data showed the effectiveness and safety of the domestic drug Cytoflavin as a prophylactic agent of POCD in school-age children with total intravenous anesthesia based on propofol and fentanyl.