bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Making with China
Authors: Marshall Justin , Rossi Catharine
Published: July 2017

In January 2015, Li Keqiang visited Chaihuo makerspace in Shenzhen, the Chinese city that is the world’s electronics manufacturing capital. The visit expressed the significance of China’s fledgling but fast-growing maker movement: while its first makerspace was set only up in 2010, in 2016 there are over a hundred, and Keqiang’s visit is part of a bigger governmental push on makerspaces, positioned as sites of creative and technology-led innovation key to the country’s economic growth. Amidst growing research into the social, politicoeconomic and cultural significances of makerspaces in the UK and Europe, the specificity of China’s maker movement remains underresearched. Yet understanding the on-the-ground lived experience, rather than the promotional rhetoric, of China’s maker movement is crucial to its future: while lots of makerspaces are opening, many lack makers, and there are fears that China’s maker movement is an artificially fuelled bubble about to burst. Contemporaneously, the future of other types of making in China, such as its craft traditions, urban manufacturing networks, and shanzhai production, is being threatened by an assemblage of fiscal and state forces. Investigating China’s maker movement was the focus of two British-based and British-funded network, research and knowledge exchange projects in which the authors participated during 2015 and 2016: Living Research: Making in China and China’s Creative Communities: Making Value and the Value(s) of Making. This paper considers their research methodologies and initial findings. Specifically, it focuses on the craft-based participatory methodology developed in China’s Creative Communities, as seen in a “Digital Craft” workshop. Informed by social anthropology, its empirical, immersive and inclusive approach gave a voice to makers themselves. While still in a developmental stage, we believe this “craft anthropology” approach has value for future research into the maker movement in China and in other cultures and contexts.
Urban Hacking and Its “Media Origins”
Authors: Krewani Angela
Published: July 2017

This essay traces the genealogy of urban and mobile media hacking. It is argued that the forerunners of urban hacking were artists active within the Fluxus scene and Viennes Actionism. Their artistic practices can be seen as precursors for more recent interventions in public and particular urban spaces which have been described as “urban hacking.” These developments appear genealogically and are also related to a turn towards individual media production: the introduction of the Portapak video camera brought about grassroots media activism and influenced the institutionalisation of public television.
Identity Crisis in the Pearl River Delta
Authors: Poon Michelle , Klein Wilhelm E. J.
Published: July 2017

This paper is a conversation-based reflection on hacker-, maker- and DIY-culture. It focuses on the unique cultural and socio-economic setting of Hong Kong, using Dim Sum Labs, its first hacker/makerspace as its primary subject of investigation. To provide context, we begin with an outline of the cultural, economic and physical challenges presented by Hong Kong. We then proceed to present and relay conversation pieces from interviews with members and non-members of Dim Sum Labs, who speak about their respective perspectives on notions of “hacking,” “making” and “DIY-culture.” Finally, we provide some reflections on our own experiences as members of the hacker/maker/ DIY-culture and past directors of Dim Sum Labs.
Indicadores de eficiencia productiva de un módulo experimental de chinchillas y su comparación con los de sistemas de producción comercial
Authors: NISTAL Alejandro J. , ZAPATA Matías , MAZUFERO Kiara , IRAZUZTA Rocío , DI MASSO Ricardo J.
Published: July 2017

En un sistema de producción intensivo de chinchillas, de pequeña escala, manejado en base a un protocolo experimental con control artificial del fotoperíodo se relevaron durante tres años consecutivos 24 indicadores productivo-reproductivos. Los valores de todos los indicadores fueron similares o superiores a los informados en la bibliografía en diferentes sistemas productivos. Ello puede explicarse por: la fertilidad promedio mantenida durante el período estudiado, generada en parte por el refugo sistemático anual de toda hembra sin parto registrado, independientemente de su fenotipo peletero; el tamaño de la camada al nacimiento y al destete, que si bien mostraron valores dentro del rango de referencia bibliográfica, estuvieron acompañados por un porcentaje de mortalidad total satisfactorio y partos por reproductora por año y por madre por año por encima de la mayor parte de los datos referenciados en la bibliografía atribuibles a la estimulación determinada por el manejo fotoperiódico. La conjunción de estos indicadores permitió alcanzar valores de 2,31 y 2,85 gazapos destetados por reproductora y por madre por año. Los valores informados en el Módulo experimental superan en un gazapo destetado por madre y por año a los emprendimientos dedicados a la producción de chinchillas del área de influencia de la FCV-UNR.
Notes from the Editors, July-August 2017
Authors: The Editors -
Published: July 2017

buy this issueFor this special issue, MR has invited some of the most profound left thinkers in the world to reflect on the legacy of revolutions and counterrevolutions around the world since 1917. Naturally, these authors do not all offer similar perspectives or come to the same conclusions. Nor should they—the historical issues are too complex and the human stakes are too high.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.
The Western Left and the Russian Revolution
Authors: Johnstone Diana
Published: July 2017

For a century, the counterrevolutionary reaction to the events of October 1917 has arguably been the most determining ideological factor in Western politics. Today the victory of that counterrevolution is complete, but Western powers still need their inherited antithesis, in changing form, as self-justification.Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.
Wartościowanie leksemu fajnie w odczuciu współczesnego użytkownika języka
Authors: Jastrzębska-Golonka Danuta
Published: July 2017

Abstrakt Leksem fajnie oraz dyskusja związana z jego dystrybucją w języku polskim od lat powraca na łamy poradników językowych i opracowań naukowych. Ankietowe badania pokazują, że fajny – mimo negatywnych klasyfikacji językoznawców – przez młodych ludzi jest traktowany jako zjawisko akceptowane. Dużą rolę odegrały tu trendy ponowoczesności i potoczności, które wprowadziły ten leksem do języka polityki i innych oficjalnych stylów polszczyzny, np. języka mediów, języka publicystycznego, języka Internetu, współczesnego stylu literackiego (proza, poezja, film) i naukowego.
Editorial
Authors: Munyangeyo Théophile , Pichette François
Published: July 2017

Abstrakt
An ever closer union . . . of linguistic diversity
Authors: Tomozeiu Daniel
Published: July 2017

The analysis carried out between October 2014 and February 2015 by a team of researchers from the University of Westminster with support from colleagues from across the EU identified the linguistic communities across the 28 EU member states as recognized (or not) by the country’s legislation and the linguistic rights of these communities in education, judiciary and public services. The findings present a complex picture of different linguistic traditions, as well as different levels of minority language use. Education and media appear as the two areas where these minority languages are most used. The diversity of national policies across the EU towards minority languages is highlighted. At the same time, a number of factors that influence the use of minority languages in one context and not in another are identified. Finally, a policy approach that would enhance education in minority languages, strengthen community cohesion and diversity in a globalizing world is put forward.
Surveillance of bacterial colonisation on contact surfaces in different medical wards
Authors: Torkar Karmen Godič , Ivić Sanja
Published: July 2017

This study was conducted to determine the bacterial colonization of some bacterial groups, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs) producers and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), on surfaces of the equipment and instruments in patient rooms and other workspaces in three different medical wards. The number of microorganisms on swabs was determined with the colony count method on selective microbiological mediums. The aerobic mesophylic microorganisms were found in 73.5 % out of 102 samples, with the average and maximum values of 2.6 × 102 and 4.6 × 103 colony forming units (CFU) 100 cm-2, respectively. Members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, coagulase positive staphylococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci, and enterococci were detected in 23.4, 31.4, 53.2, and 2.9 % of samples, respectively. The differences in bacterial counts on the surfaces of the psychiatric, oncology, and paediatric wards were statistically significant (P<0.001). About 40 % out of 19 isolates from the family Enterobacteriaceae showed multiple resistance to three or more different groups of tested antibiotics, while ESBL was confirmed for only one strain. Staphylococci isolates were mostly resistant to penicillin. MRSA was confirmed in 5.2 % of the tested S. aureus isolates. Greater attention should be paid to cleaning and the appropriate choice of disinfectants, especially in the psychiatric ward. Employees should be informed about the prevention of the spreading of nosocomial infections. Routine application of rapid methods for hygiene control of surfaces is highly recommended.
Kirchhoff–Hardy Fractional Problems with Lack of Compactness
Authors: Fiscella Alessio , Pucci Patrizia
Published: July 2017

This paper deals with the existence and the asymptotic behavior of nontrivial solutions for some classes of stationary Kirchhoff problems driven by a fractional integro-differential operator and involving a Hardy potential and different critical nonlinearities. In particular, we cover the delicate degenerate case, that is, when the Kirchhoff function M is zero at zero. To overcome the difficulties due to the lack of compactness as well as the degeneracy of the models, we have to make use of different approaches.
The Hearing Threshold of Employees Exposed to Noise Generated by the Low-Frequency Ultrasonic Welding Devices
Authors: Dudarewicz Adam , Zaborowski Kamil , Rutkowska-Kaczmarek Paulina , Zamojska-Daniszewska Małgorzata , Śliwińska-Kowalska Mariola , Zamysłowska-Szmytke Ewa , Pawlaczyk-Łuszczyńska Małgorzata
Published: July 2017

The aim of the study was to assess the hearing threshold levels (HTLs) in employees exposed to noise generated by low-frequency ultrasonic technological equipment in comparison with the HTLs of workers exposed to audible noise at the similar A-weighted equivalent-continuous sound pressure level. The study includes measurements of ultrasonic and audible noise at workplaces and hearing tests, i.e. conventional pure-tone audiometry and extended high-frequency audiometry. The study group comprised 90 workers, aged 41.4±10.0 years (mean±SD), exposed for 17.3±9.8 years to noise generated by ultrasonic devices at mean daily noise exposure level (‹LEX,8h›) of 80.6±2.9 dB. The reference group consists of 156 subjects, exposed to industrial noise (without ultrasonic components) at similar A-weighted equivalent-continuous sound pressure level (‹LEX,8h› = 81.8±2.7 dB), adjusted according to age (39.8±7.7 years), gender and job seniority (14.0±7.0 years). This group was selected from database collected in the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine. Audiometric hearing threshold levels in the frequency range of 0.5-6 kHz were similar in both groups, but in the frequency range of 8-12.5 kHz they were higher in the group of employees exposed to ultrasonic noise. The findings suggest that differences in the hearing threshold (at high frequencies) in analyzed groups may be due to differences in spectral composition of noise and show the need to continue the undertaken studies.
Performance of automated digital cell imaging analyzer Sysmex DI-60
Authors: Kim Hyeong Nyeon , Hur Mina , Kim Hanah , Kim Seung Wan , Moon Hee-Won , Yun Yeo-Min
Published: July 2017

Background:

The Sysmex DI-60 system (DI-60, Sysmex, Kobe, Japan) is a new automated digital cell imaging analyzer. We explored the performance of DI-60 in comparison with Sysmex XN analyzer (XN, Sysmex) and manual count.

Methods:

In a total of 276 samples (176 abnormal and 100 normal samples), white blood cell (WBC) differentials, red blood cell (RBC) classification and platelet (PLT) estimation by DI-60 were compared with the results by XN and/or manual count. RBC morphology between pre-classification and verification was compared according to the ICSH grading criteria. The manual count was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines (H20-A2).

Results:

The overall concordance between DI-60 and manual count for WBCs was 86.0%. The agreement between DI-60 pre-classification and verification was excellent (weighted κ=0.963) for WBC five-part differentials. The correlation with manual count was very strong for neutrophils (r=0.955), lymphocytes (r=0.871), immature granulocytes (r=0.820), and blasts (r=0.879). RBC grading showed notable differences between DI-60 and manual counting on the basis of the ICSH grading criteria. Platelet count by DI-60 highly correlated with that by XN (r=0.945). However, DI-60 underestimated platelet counts in samples with marked thrombocytosis.

Conclusions:

The performance of DI-60 for WBC differential, RBC classification, and platelet estimation seems to be acceptable even in abnormal samples with improvement after verification. DI-60 would help optimize the workflow in hematology laboratory with reduced manual workload.
Weak Solutions for Nonlinear Parabolic Equations with Variable Exponents
Authors: Shangerganesh Lingeshwaran , Gurusamy Arumugam , Balachandran Krishnan
Published: July 2017

In this work, we study the existence and uniqueness of weak solu- tions of fourth-order degenerate parabolic equation with variable exponent using the di erence and variation methods.
Enhancing Fingerprint Image Recognition Algorithm Using Fractional Derivative Filters
Authors: Baloochian Hossein , Ghaffary Hamid Reza , Balochian Saeed
Published: July 2017

One of the most important steps in recognizing fingerprint is accurate feature extraction of the input image. To enhance the accuracy of fingerprint recognition, an algorithm using fractional derivatives is proposed in this paper. The proposed algorithm uses the definitions of fractional derivatives Riemann-Liouville (R-L) and Grunwald-Letnikov (G-L) in two sections of direction estimation and image enhancement for the first time. Based on it, new mask of fractional derivative Gabor filter is calculated. The proposed fractional derivative-based method enhances the image quality. This method enhances the structure of ridges and grooves of fingerprint, using fractional derivatives. The efficiency of the proposed method is studied in images of FVC2004 (DB1, DB2, DB3 and DB4) database and the results are evaluated using the criteria including entropy, average gradient, and edge intensity. Also, performance of the proposed method is compared with other technical methods such as Gabor filter. Based on the obtained results from the tests, the method is able to enhance the quality of fingerprint images significantly.
Unit Cell Modelling and Simulation of All Vanadium Redox Flow Battery
Authors: Seepana Murali Mohan , Samudrala Sreedevi , Suresh P. V. , Vooradi Ramsagar
Published: July 2017

Vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is one of the promising technologies for large scale renewable energy storage due to its long life time and flexible design. Electrolyte flow rate, electrolyte concentration, electrode porosity, temperature and applied magnitude of current have significant effect on the efficiency of VRFB. In the present work, a simplified dynamic lumped parameter model is developed in MATLAB to provide accurate results at unit cell level which can be used to control and optimize the parameters. The proposed model is based on the mass balance and charge conservation of various vanadium species and hydrogen ion concentration in the electrolyte. Major losses such as ohmic losses and activation losses are included in the cell potential. Recirculation of the electrolyte through external reservoirs is also considered. Numerical simulation demonstrates the effect of change in initial vanadium concentration and operating temperature on unit cell performance. It is shown that variations in electrolyte flow rate, magnitude of applied current substantially alter the charge/discharge characteristics and efficiency.
On Truncation Invariant Copulas and their Estimation
Authors: Jaworski Piotr
Published: July 2017

The paper deals with the family of irreducible left truncation invariant bivariate copulas, which admit a nontrivial lower tail dependence function. Such copulas, similarly as the Archimedean ones, are characterized by a functional parameter, a generator being an increasing convex function.We provide a nonparametric, piece-wise linear estimator of such generators.
The relationship with the Other as a platform for discussion about conflicts. Comments on the Orzesze coal mine project
Authors: Belzyt Joanna Iza
Published: July 2017

An analysis was made of comments in media reports on the selected case, the „Orzesze” mining project, posted by Internet users on news websites during the period July 2014 - December 2016 This article is an attempt to examine the relationship with the Other/Alien when thinking about conflicts around investment projects which will interfere with the surrounding social and natural environment. The article considers the theories on the sources of conflict and the development of the conflict process and its consequences and suggests possible courses of action to prevent the escalation of such conflicts particularly with respect to the “Orzesze” mining project in the Upper Silesia, Poland. Taking into account that the Data, Relationship, Value, and Interest conflicts can all be sources of conflict, it should be underlined that good social communication is extremely important in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and the mitigation of their destructive influence. In a cooperation/communication oriented environment it would be much easier to focus on finding solutions rather than finding the guilty party as this can lead to an escalation of the conflict as searching for the guilty party is inextricably linked with the desire to win or to take revenge.
Trustworthy Online Shopping with Price Impact
Authors: Musial Jedrzej , Lopez-Loces Mario C.
Published: July 2017

Internet shopping is one of the main pillars of electronic commerce.According to the literature, the Internet Shopping Optimization Problem (ISOP)has been defined in order to optimize the global cost of online purchase, taking into account both the cost of products and shipping. In this study, it was decided to propose and analyze a very interesting, and really substantial, extension of the ISOP.Namely, trust factors were subjected to careful analysis from the customer point of view. The analysis is based on a specially prepared questionnaire, supplemented by the information from the literature and our own observations. Thus, it was possible to propose a definition of a new mathematical model of the problem, and to prove its affiliation to the class of strongly NP-hard problems. In addition, the heuristic algorithm is proposed, which can be used to solve the problem.
Evaluation of Face Detection Algorithms for the Bank Client Identity Verification
Authors: Szczodrak Maciej , Czyżewski Andrzej
Published: July 2017

Results of investigation of face detection algorithms efficiency in the banking client visual verification system are presented. The video recordings were made in real conditions met in three bank operating outlets employing a miniature industrial USB camera. The aim of the experiments was to check the practical usability of the face detection method in the biometric bank client verification system. The main assumption was to provide a simplified as much as possible user interaction with the application. Applied algorithms for face detection are described and achieved results of face detection in the real bank environment conditions are presented. Practical limitations of the application based on encountered problems are discussed.
The Econometric Procedures of Specific Transaction Identification
Authors: Doszyń Mariusz , Gnat Sebastian , Bas Marcin
Published: July 2017

The paper presents the econometric procedures of identifying specific transactions, in which atypical conditions or attributes may occur. These procedures are based on studentized and predictive residuals of the accordingly specified econometric models. The dependent variable is a unit transactional price, and explanatory variables are both the real properties’ attributes and accordingly defined artificial binary variables. The utility of the proposed method has been verified by means of a real market data base. The proposed procedures can be helpful during the property valuation process, making it possible to reject real properties that are specific (both from the point of view of the transaction conditions and the properties’ attributes) and, consequently, to select an appropriate set of similar attributes that are essential for the valuation process.
A Selection of Offers on the Szczecin Residential Market with the AHP Method
Authors: Becker Aneta , Becker Jarosław
Published: July 2017

This article presents the application of the AHP method (Analytic Hierarchy Process) for a multi-criteria decision analysis of the offers of residential premises. The rankings of the offers are the result of the study which takes into account the preferences of specific social groups (consumer profiles). The study has verified the view that the widespread use of the AHP method for the complex issue of multi-parametric selection and the choice of the preferred residential offers - from among a large number of distributed adverts in different websites - requires the development of the specialised computer system.
Frequency Reconfigurable Antenna for Deca-Band 5 G/LTE/WWAN Mobile Terminal Applications
Authors: Yang Lingsheng , Cheng Biyu , Jia Hongting
Published: July 2017

In this paper, a frequency reconfigurable antenna for 5 G/LTE/WWAN mobile terminal applications is presented. The proposed antenna consists of a radiation element which is folded on a dielectric cuboid. Four PIN diodes located on the antenna element are used for frequency reconfigration. By controlling the states of four PIN diodes with an 8-bit microcontroller, a broad band which can cover deca-band as LTE700/2300/2500, GSM850/900/1800/1900, UMTS 2100, WLAN2400 and the future 5 G or LTE3600 is obtained with a compacted size of 40×8×5mm3. The antenna gain, efficiency and radiation characteristics are also shown.
Effect of cationic polyelectrolytes in contact-active antibacterial layer-by-layer functionalization
Authors: Chen Chao , Illergård Josefin , Wågberg Lars , Ek Monica
Published: July 2017

Contact-active surfaces have been created by means of the layer-by-layer (LbL) modification technique, which is based on previous observations that cellulose fibers treated with polyelectrolyte multilayers with polyvinylamine (PVAm) are perfectly protected against bacteria. Several different cationic polyelectrolytes were applied, including PVAm, two different poly(diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) polymers and two different poly(allylamine hydrochloride) polymers. The polyelectrolytes were self-organized in one or three layers on cellulosic fibers in combination with polyacrylic acid by the LbL method, and their antibacterial activities were evaluated. The modified cellulose fibers showed remarkable bacterial removal activities and inhibited bacterial growth. It was shown that the interaction between bacteria and modified fibers is not merely a charge interaction because a certain degree of bacterial cell deformation was observed on the modified fiber surfaces. Charge properties of the modified fibers were determined based on polyelectrolyte titration and zeta potential measurements, and a correlation between high charge density and antibacterial efficiency was observed for the PVAm and PDADMAC samples. It was demonstrated that it is possible to achieve antibacterial effects by the surface modification of cellulosic fibers via the LbL technique with different cationic polyelectrolytes.
Topochemical analyses of furfuryl alcohol-modified radiata pine (Pinus radiata) by UMSP, light microscopy and SEM
Authors: Ehmcke Gabriele , Pilgård Annica , Koch Gerald , Richter Klaus
Published: July 2017

Furfurylation is one of the wood modification techniques via catalytic polymerization of the monomeric furfuryl alcohol (FA) in the impregnated cell wall. Little is known about the topochemistry of this process. Brown rot degradation begins with lignin modification and therefore, the reactions between FA and lignin was one focus of this research. Furfurylated radiata pine (Pinus radiata) with three different weight percent gains (WPGs of 57%, 60% and 70%) after FA uptake was observed by cellular ultraviolet microspectrophotometry (UMSP) to analyze chemical alterations of the individual cell wall layers. Moreover, light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed. The ultraviolet (UV) absorbance of the modified samples increased significantly compared to the untreated controls, indicating a strong polymerization of the aromatic compounds. Highest UV absorbances were found in areas with the highest lignin concentration. The UMSP images of individual cell wall layers support the hypothesis concerning condensation reactions between lignin and FA.
Effect of tool wear on quality in drilling of titanium alloy Ti6Al4V, Part I: Cutting Forces, Burr Formation, Surface Quality and Defects
Authors: Eynian Mahdi , Das Kallol , Wretland Anders
Published: July 2017

Titanium’s Ti6Al4V, alloy is an important material with a wide range of applications in the aerospace industry. Due to its high strength, machining this material for desired quality at high material removal rate is challenging and may lead to high tool wear rate. As a result, this material may be machined with worn tools and the effects of tool wear on machining quality need to be investigated. In this experimental paper, it is shown how drills of various wear levels affect the cutting forces, surface quality and burr formation. Furthermore, it is shown that high cutting forces and high plastic deformation, along with high temperatures that arise in cutting with worn tools may lead to initiation of microscopic cracks in the workpiece material in proximity of the drilling zone.
Effect of tool wear on quality in drilling of titanium alloy Ti6Al4V, Part II: Microstructure and Microhardness
Authors: Das Kallol , Eynian Mahdi , Wretland Anders
Published: July 2017

Drilling of Ti6Al4V with worn tools can introduce superficial and easily measured features such as increase of cutting forces, entry and exit burrs and surface quality issues and defects. Such issues were presented in the part I of this paper. In part II, subsurface quality alterations, such as changes of the microstructure and microhardness variation is considered by preparing metallographic sections and measurement, mapping of the depth of grain deformation, and microhardness in these sections. Drastic changes in the microstructure and microhardness were found in sections drilled with drills with large wear lands, particularly in the dry cutting tests. These measurements emphasize the importance of detection of tool wear and ensuring coolant flow in drilling of holes in titanium components.
Preparation and Oxidation Behavior of Metallic Nickel Containing MgAlON Composite
Authors: Jinlin Yang , Hanxin Xiao
Published: July 2017

To survey the probability of the re-utilization of nickel containing slag corroded magnesia and alumina-graphite refractories, different amounts of nickel oxide (NiO) were used as one of raw materials to synthesize nickel containing magnesium aluminum oxynitride (MgAlON) composites, and the sintering and oxidation behavior have been explored in this work. The results reveal that with the increasing NiO additive, submicron metallic Ni grains are segregated from the (Ni,Mg)AlON spinel, and these grains are beneficial to improve thermal shock resistance of MgAlON. Though the oxidation reaction of (Ni,Mg)AlON starts at lower temperature than MgAlON, the metallic Ni grains in the plate can improve the oxidation resistance. Hence, the metallic nickel containing (Ni,Mg)AlON composite has not only superior thermal shock resistance but also excellent oxidation resistance, and it is of great potential to utilize in plant. So, the fabrication of metallic nickel containing (Ni,Mg)AlON composite should be a feasible way to reuse the nickel slag corroded magnesia and alumina graphite refractories.
Teaching and Learning English at Grammar School Supported by Mobile Touch Technologies
Authors: Šimonová lvana , Netolička Jan
Published: July 2017

The article deals with the implementation of iTunesU in English lessons at the secondary grammar school. The content is structured into three main parts. First, the theoretical background for the appropriate use of mobile devices is introduced reflecting the Comenius′ principles and Koole’s FRAME model. Second, a strategy for practising English pronunciation is described. Third, a set of three lessons enhanced, or not, by mobile touch technology was described and learners· feedback displayed. Finally, authors′ recommendations are provided.
Using Local ICT Services to Support Lower Secondary and Primary School Teaching
Authors: Šimandl Václav , Novotný Jakub
Published: July 2017

The article looks at the ways lower secondary and primary school pupils and teachers make use of ICT services (particularly user accounts and network drives). The description of implemented approaches is complemented by a discussion of the factors that influence schools in their choice of a particular solution. Attention has been devoted to both the various benefits that a chosen solution has brought to teaching and the complications that have been encountered during lessons. Our research has covered a wide range of schools that use services provided by servers to a varying extent as well as schools that are not in possession of servers. In-depth, semi-structured interviews have been carried out with school network managers. Our investigation has been supported by triangulation, consisting of interviews with teachers selected from the given schools. Data gained from the interviews has been processed using open coding. The results show that despite user accounts being found to be beneficial to teaching and lesson management, not all schools have access to such a solution. As well as being able to use personal and shared network drives, this solution can make it easier for schools to monitor their pupils′ Internet activity. Schools have their own specific procedures to deal with pupils that forget their login details, which could lead to lessons being disrupted. Schools that do not make use of user accounts have developed methods to overcome such a problem. It does not seem to be a lack of suitable solutions that prevents the more effective use of ICT in teaching. The problem is more likely to lie in the fact that many teachers lack knowledge of the various possibilities offered by available solutions and are often unwilling to make use of such solutions.
Relationship between age and outcome in thyroid surgery: a prospective observational study
Authors: Tabriz Navid , Uslar Verena Nicole , Tabriz Inga , Weyhe Dirk
Published: July 2017

Background:

The occurrence of thyroid nodules and goiter increases with age. In general, surgery age is a predictor of perioperative morbidity. In thyroid surgery, there are different data on the role of age on morbidity. We investigated the influence of age on the outcome in thyroid surgery in a prospective single cohort study with a follow-up after 1 year.

Methods:

Total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy was performed in euthyroid benign thyroid goiters (n=152). The primary endpoint was surgery duration. The secondary endpoints were weight of resected tissue, body mass index (BMI), amount and type of perioperative and long-term complications, and quality of life (QoL) preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively.

Results:

A significant three-way interactive relationship between age, surgery duration, and amount of resected tissue was found. An increase in any of these variables results in an increase in both other variables. The amount of perioperative complications was associated with resected tissue size. The QoL increases significantly after surgery by up to 10% and decreases significantly with age (mean QoL after surgery=84.9 of 100 for the youngest group and 75.7 of 100 for the oldest group). No long-term complications were recorded.

Conclusion:

The number of thyroid operations, especially of benign thyroid goiters, decreases annually in Germany. This can be explained by the fact that, on the one hand, the surgical indications are made more restrictive as conspicuous nodes are better clarified by improved technical aids. On the other hand, conservative measures (i.e. L-thyroxine and iodide administration) are used to achieve a size regimen of the goiter. Our results show that perioperative complications increase with patients’ age and surgery duration. However, the more restrictive surgical decision also entails the risk that patients will have to be operated at an older age and possibly with a bigger goiter, which is associated with higher operative morbidity. Therefore, in addition to the possibility of conservative therapy of the symptomatic goiter, the affected patients should also be thoroughly informed about the option to perform elective early thyroid surgery with regard to improved postoperative QoL and to keep the overall stress at a minimum for elderly patients.
Effects of Lactobacillus Johnsonii AJ5 Metabolites on Nutrition, Nosema Ceranae Development and Performance of Apis Mellifera L.
Authors: Piano Fiorella G. De , Maggi Matias , Pellegrini María C. , Cugnata Noelia M. , Szawarski Nicolas , Buffa Franco , Negri Pedro , Fuselli Sandra R. , Audisio Carina M. , Ruffinengo Sergio R.
Published: July 2017

The European honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) is known to be affected by such stress factors as pathogen load, poor nutrition and depressed immunity. Nosema ceranae is one of the main parasites that affect colony populations. The relationship between the stress factors and honey bee-bacteria symbiosis appears as an alternative to enhance bee health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the oral administration of bacterial metabolites produced by Lactobacillus johnsonii AJ5 on nutritional parameters, the N. ceranae development and the performance of A. mellifera colonies. Laboratory assays were performed and demonstrated that the bacterial metabolites did not have a toxic effect on bees. Field trial showed an increase of colonies population over time. Also, a decreasing trend of fat bodies per bee was detected in all colonies but there were no evident changes on abdomen protein content at the end of the assay. Lastly, N. ceranae prevalence showed a tendency to reduce with the organic acids. Future studies should be performed to increase our knowledge of the physiological effects of bacterial metabolites on the health of bee colonies.
Effect of Artificial Prolonged Wintering on Emergence and Survival of Osmia Rufa Adults
Authors: Giejdasz Karol , Wasielewski Oskar
Published: July 2017

This study discusses the longevity and emergence rate of O. rufa males and females after an extended wintering period in artificial conditions. Experimental activation of the wintering bees was carried out every fifteen days, starting at the end of March and finishing at the beginning of June (25 March, 9 April, 24 April, 9 May, 24 May, 8 June). In our study, the shortest emergence time (5 days) was observed in females that overwintered for at least 220 days and were activated at the beginning of May or later. Their mean emergence time in the last three terms was similar and ranged from 4.6 to 5.1 days. Prolonged wintering increased female emergence dynamics in May and June. Half of the emerged males in our study lived up to 28 days when activated during the first term, and up to 15 days when activated during the last one. In females, half of the bees lived up to 64 and 20 days, respectively.
Return to work program efficacy with Self-Regulation Therapy (SRT®): Case study with complex trauma and concurrent disorders
Authors: Miller Tara
Published: July 2017

Background

This study shows the efficacy of treating complex cases neurobiologically using Self-Regulation Therapy (SRT®) within the context of return to work goals.

Case presentation

This is a single case study of a 32-year-old white female. This case study follows a client with concurrent diagnoses of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder I and substance abuse over the course of 2 years of treatment with SRT®. Using SRT® as primary modality and Likert Scale self-report on the Zettl Scale of Dysregulation, psychiatric medication monitoring and pharmaceutical tracking, this study shows session summaries and progress.

Results

After six sessions the client was cleared by her psychiatrist for return to work. Her medications were reduced and her post-traumatic symptoms abated. She no longer met diagnostic criteria for PTSD or substance abuse after nine sessions. She returned to work successfully and maintained sobriety and continued symptom reduction. Follow up over a 2-year time period showed consistency and continued improvements in both her professional and her personal life.

Conclusions

Clients with complex traumatic history with concurrent diagnosis are typically difficult to treat in traditional psychotherapy with limited long-term success. This creates challenges in therapy because the traumas occur during key developmental periods of life. This study shows the efficacy of treating complex cases neurobiologically using SRT®. Using SRT®, clinicians are able to address both developmental and complex trauma to reduce sympathetic arousal in the nervous system providing symptom reduction and even resolution of previous clinical diagnoses.
Differential Evolution Dynamics Modeled by Longitudinal Social Network
Authors: Skanderova Lenka , Fabian Tomas , Zelinka Ivan
Published: July 2017

Differential evolution (DE) is a population-based algorithm using Darwinian and Mendel principles to find out an optimal solution to difficult problems. In this work, the dynamics of the DE algorithm are modeled by using a longitudinal social network. Because a population of the DE algorithm is improved in generations, each generation of DE algorithm is represented by one short-interval network. Each short-interval network is created by individuals contributing to population improvement. On the basis of this model, a new parent selection in the mutation operation is presented and a well-known benchmark set CEC 2013 Special Session on Real-Parameter Optimization (including 28 functions) is used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm.
An Effective Optimization-Based Neural Network for Musical Note Recognition
Authors: Tamboli Allabakash Isak , Kokate Rajendra D.
Published: July 2017

Musical pitch estimation is used to recognize the musical note pitch or the fundamental frequency (F
0) of an audio signal, which can be applied to a preprocessing part of many applications, such as sound separation and musical note transcription. In this work, a method for musical note recognition based on the classification framework has been designed using an optimization-based neural network (OBNN). A broad range of survey and research was reviewed, and all revealed the methods to recognize the musical notes. An OBNN is used here in recognizing musical notes. Similarly, we can progress the effectiveness of musical note recognition using different methodologies. In this document, the most modern investigations related to musical note recognition are effectively analyzed and put in a nutshell to effectively furnish the traits and classifications.
Elite Opposition-Based Cognitive Behavior Optimization Algorithm for Global Optimization
Authors: Zhang Shaoling , Zhou Yongquan , Luo Qifang
Published: July 2017

This paper presents an elite opposition-based cognitive behavior optimization algorithm (ECOA). The traditional COA is divided into three stages: rough search, information exchange and share, and intelligent adjustment process. In this paper, we introduce the elite opposition-based learning in the third stage of COA, with a view to avoid the latter congestion as well as to enhance the convergence speed. ECOA is validated by 23 benchmark functions and three engineering design problems, and the experimental results have proven the superior performance of ECOA compared to other algorithms in the literature.
Empirical Evaluation of 4 QAM and 4 PSK in OFDM-based Inter-Satellite Communication System
Authors: Chaudhary Sushank , Kapoor Rudrakshi , Sharma Abhishek
Published: July 2017

Inter-satellite communication is a free-space optical technology which is used to establish communication between satellites in space. This work is focused on the transmission of 10 Gbps data over 4,000 km inter-satellite communication link by incorporating orthogonal frequency division multiplexing scheme. Moreover, a comparison of 4 quadrature amplitude modulation and 4 phase shift key encoding scheme is also presented in this work. The performance of proposed system is evaluated in terms of signal-to-noise ratio, total received power, radio-frequency spectrum and constellation diagrams.
Investigations on Integrated Optical Interference Couplers in PMMA for Visible and Infrared Range Fabricated by “Direct Writing” Excimer Laser Radiation
Authors: Mirza Humza , Wu Bin , Tiedeken Sabine , Braun Volker , Josef Brückner Hans , Teubner Ulrich
Published: July 2017

Optical waveguides were generated in Polymethylmethacrylate using “direct” laser and contact mask structuring. Excimer laser radiation (248 nm) produced a local refractive index increase thereby achieving light guiding in waveguides with widths from 2 to 15
$\mu$m. The near field output images were analyzed using visible and infrared laser light. The mode fields of single mode structures were evaluated to elaborate numerically the parameters of the index profile. An index increase up to 0.01 could be achieved using laser pulses at fluences below
$0.15$
${\textrm{J/cm}^{2}}$. Thus it was possible to design interference couplers of 5
$\mu$m waveguides width for the visible (635 nm to 670 nm) as well as for the infrared range at 1550 nm. The coupling properties as a function of the waveguide separation and the wavelength is investigated and found compatible with numerical simulations for the structure design. The presented approach allows for designing and fabricating single mode couplers in an efficient and simple manner.
Mathematical Modeling of Thermofrictional Milling Process Using ANSYS WB Software
Authors: Sherov K.T. , Sikhimbayev M.R. , Sherov A.K. , Donenbayev B.S. , Rakishev A.K. , Mazdubai A.B. , Musayev M.M. , Abeuova A.M.
Published: July 2017

This article presents ANSYS WB-based mathematical modelling of the thermofrictional milling process, which allowed studying the dynamics of thermal and physical processes occurring during the processing. The technique used also allows determination of the optimal cutting conditions of thermofrictional milling for processing various materials, in particular steel 40CN2MA, 30CGSA, 45, 3sp. In our study, from among a number of existing models of cutting fracture, we chose the criterion first proposed by prof. V. L. Kolmogorov. In order to increase the calculations performance, a mathematical model was proposed, that used only two objects: a parallelepiped-shaped workpiece and a cutting insert in the form of a pentagonal prism. In addition, the work takes into account the friction coefficient between a cutting insert and a workpiece taken equal to 0.4 mm. To determine the temperature in the subcontact layer of the workpiece, we introduced the coordinates of nine characteristic points with the same interval in the local coordinate system. As a result, the temperature values were obtained for different materials at the studied points during the cutter speed change. The research results showed the possibility of controlling thermal processes during processing by choosing the optimum cutting modes.
Influence of Poroelasticity on the 3D Seismic Response of Complex Geological Media
Authors: Wuttke Frank , Dineva Petia , Fontara Ioanna-Kleoniki
Published: July 2017

Elastic wave propagation in 3D poroelastic geological media with localized heterogeneities, such as an elastic inclusion and a canyon is investigated to visualize the modification of local site responses under consideration of water saturated geomaterial. The extended computational environment herein developed is a direct Boundary Integral Equation Method (BIEM), based on the frequency-dependent fundamental solution of the governing equation in poro-visco elastodynamics. Bardet’s model is introduced in the analysis as the computationally efficient viscoelastic isomorphism to Biot’s equations of dynamic poroelasticity, thus replacing the two-phase material by a complex valued single-phase one. The potential of Bardet’s analogue is illustrated for low frequency vibrations and all simulation results demonstrate the dependency of wave field developed along the free surface on the properties of the soil material.
Theoretical Exploration of Exponential Heat Source and Thermal Stratification Effects on The Motion of 3-Dimensional Flow of Casson Fluid Over a Low Heat Energy Surface at Initial Unsteady Stage
Authors: Sandeep N. , Animasaun I.L.
Published: July 2017

Within the last few decades, experts and scientists dealing with the flow of non-Newtonian fluids (most especially Casson fluid) have confirmed the existence of such flow on a stretchable surface with low heat energy (i.e. absolute zero of temperature). This article presents the motion of a three-dimensional of such fluid. Influence of uniform space dependent internal heat source on the intermolecular forces holding the molecules of Casson fluid is investigated. It is assumed that the stagnation flow was induced by an external force (pressure gradient) together with impulsive. Based on these assumptions, variable thermophysical properties are most suitable; hence modified kinematic viscosity model is presented. The system of governing equations of 3-dimensional unsteady Casson fluid was non-dimensionalized using suitable similarity transformation which unravels the behavior of the flow at full fledge short period. The numerical solution of the corresponding boundary value problem (ODE) was obtained using Runge-Kutta fourth order along with shooting technique. The intermolecular forces holding the molecules of Casson fluid flow in both horizontal directions when magnitude of velocity ratio parameters are greater than unity breaks continuously with an increase in Casson parameter and this leads to an increase in velocity profiles in both directions.