bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Les pratiques évaluatives d’enseignants en soins infirmiers lors des stages : une étude descriptive qualitative
Authors: Blanchette Patricia , Chouinard Maud-Christine , Gueyaud Jacques-André
Published: August 2017

Aucune étude recensée n’a permis de dresser le portrait québécois des pratiques évaluatives d’enseignants en soins infirmiers dans le contexte des stages en formation collégiale. Compte tenu de l’importance du stage et de l’évaluation dans la formation de l’étudiant en soins infirmiers, cette étude s’avère justifiée. Cet article présente les résultats d’une étude visant à décrire et comprendre les pratiques évaluatives d’enseignants lors d’évaluations en cours d’apprentissage d’étudiants en stage et leur contexte de réalisation, ainsi qu’à identifier les facteurs influençant ces pratiques. Dans le cadre d’une recherche qualitative descriptive, la collecte des données a reposé principalement sur la description de pratiques rapportées et recueillies lors d’entrevues réalisées auprès de 10 enseignantes en soins infirmiers d’un cégep de la région du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean (SLSJ, Québec, Canada) soit : l’observation directe et indirecte ; les questions posées à l’étudiant et au groupe d’étudiants et la rétroaction individuelle et de groupe. Ils ont aussi permis d’énumérer et de catégoriser les facteurs pouvant influencer ces pratiques, soit les facteurs facilitants, les barrières et les croyances.
Interprofessional Continuing Education in the Ambulatory Care Setting
Authors: Moyer Aislynn , Shinners Jean
Published: August 2017

Ambulatory care is a rapidly growing specialty practice area. This article describes how interprofessional continuing education can serve as a platform to support this growth and how the nursing professional development practitioner can use their skills to lead the way.

J Contin Educ Nurs.
2017;48(9):390–391.
Critical Thinking Disposition of Nurse Practitioners in Taiwan
Authors: Hsu Hsiu-Ying , Chang Shu-Chen , Chang Ai-Ling , Chen Shiah-Lian
Published: August 2017

Background:

Critical thinking disposition (CTD) is crucial for nurse practitioners who face complex patient care scenarios. This study explored the CTD of nurse practitioners and related factors.

Method:

The study was a cross-sectional descriptive design. A purposive sample was recruited from a medical center and its hospital branches in central Taiwan. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 210 nurse practitioners.

Results:

The participants obtained the highest average score on systematicity and analyticity. CTD had a significant positive correlation with fundamental knowledge readiness, professional knowledge readiness, and confidence in making clinical decisions. Professional knowledge readiness, education level, and on-the-job training predicted the score of the participants on overall CTD.

Conclusion:

On-the-job training and education level may influence the CTD of nurse practitioners. Providing formal or on-the-job continuing education training to nurse practitioners may help enhance their CTD.

J Contin Educ Nurs.
2017;48(9):425–430.
Effects of an Online Educational Module on School Nurses' Knowledge of HPV Vaccination
Authors: Rhodes Darson , Visker Joseph D. , Cox Carol , Sas Angela , Banez J. Christian
Published: August 2017

Background:

Results of a previous state-wide survey revealed generally low knowledge levels about HPV vaccination among school nurses in Missouri. A short, online educational module targeted to address the specific low-scoring items was then created.

Method:

All 440 lead school nurses in Missouri were invited by e-mail to participate in an online HPV educational module and study. The e-mail contained a link to the module that included a consent form, a test, and a downloadable completion certificate. The test consisted of 12 multiple choice and true-or-false items based directly on the content contained in the module. An independent samples
t
test was used to determine pre–post differences in mean test scores.

Results:

Scores improved significantly (
p
< .05) pre–post intervention; however, surveillance or epidemiology-related questions were still commonly missed.

Conclusion:

Using brief, targeted, online trainings to improve knowledge of specific health-related content may be a practical option for busy school nurses.

J Contin Educ Nurs.
2017;48(9):431–436.
Video Game Vision Syndrome: A New Clinical Picture in Children?
Authors: Rechichi Caterina , De Mojà Gilda , Aragona Pasquale
Published: August 2017

Purpose:

To examine a possible relationship between exposure to video games/electronic screens and visual issues in children between 3 and 10 years of age.

Methods:

An observational, cross-sectional study of a population of children using video games was employed. All patients between 3 and 10 years of age were recruited at an outpatient unit accredited by the Italian Regional Health Service. Three hundred twenty children (159 boys and 161 girls; mean age = 6.9 ± 2 years) were observed. Ophthalmological examination included assessment of stereoscopic vision on Lang-Stereotests I and II (LANG-STEREOTEST AG, Küsnacht, Switzerland) and identification of the dominant eye using the Dolman method. Furthermore, a questionnaire was used to record asthenopic symptoms and daily exposure to video games and electronic screens. Two groups of children were examined according to the average amount of time spent playing video games daily: children who played video games for less than 30 minutes per day and not every day (control group) and children who played video games for 30 minutes or more every day (video game group). Both groups were then divided into two subgroups: children using other types of electronic screens (eg, televisions, computers, tablets, and smartphones) for less than 3 hours daily (low electronic use subgroup) and children using other types of electronic screens for 3 hours or more per day (high electronic use subgroup).

Results:

Asthenopia (especially headache, eyelid tic, transient diplopia, and dizziness), absence of fine stereopsis, and refractive errors were statistically more frequent (mainly in the dominant eye) in children in the video game group.

Conclusions:

These symptoms were frequent and peculiar in the video game group and might be part of a video game vision syndrome that has not been defined yet. It is important to recognize these signs as possible functional disorders to avoid erroneous diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2017;54(6):346–355.]
Preliminary Study of the Differences in Optic Nerve Head Hemoglobin Measures Between Patients With and Without Childhood Glaucoma
Authors: Perucho-González Lucía , Méndez-Hernández Carmen Dora , González-de-la-Rosa Manuel , Fernández-Pérez Cristina , Sáez-Francés Federico , Andrés-Guerrero Vanesa , García-Feijoó Julián
Published: August 2017

Purpose:

To evaluate the effectiveness of quantifying color changes in the optic nerve head in retinal photographs of patients with childhood glaucoma.

Methods:

In this observational study, three photographs of the optic nerve head were obtained in 28 patients with childhood glaucoma and 28 age- and sex-matched healthy participants (the childhood glaucoma and control groups, respectively). The Laguna Optic Nerve Head Hemoglobin (ONhE) software (Insoft SL, Tenerife, Spain) was used to determine hemoglobin levels in the optic nerve head. The following parameters were quantified: the hemoglobin levels in the optic nerve head across the whole disc, in 24 sectors (the optic nerve head divided by two concentric rings and eight 45-degree radial sectors), and in the vertical disc diameter (sectors 8 and 20), and the estimated cup–disc ratio and Glaucoma Discriminant Function, which combines the slope of the hemoglobin amount with the mean vertical disc diameter.

Results:

Patient ages ranged from 9 to 14 years (median: 11 years) in the childhood glaucoma group, and 7 to 13 years (median: 9 years) in the control group (
P
< .061). Eyes in the childhood glaucoma group showed a significantly higher cup–disc ratio compared to eyes in the control group (0.6 ± 0.2 vs 0.5 ± 0.1, respectively;
P
< .0001). In the childhood glaucoma group, the Glaucoma Discriminant Function was found to be significantly lower than in the control group (−6.5 ± 31.1 vs 9.4 ± 17.1, respectively;
P
< .0001). There were no significant differences in the hemoglobin levels in the optic nerve head across the whole disc between eyes in the childhood glaucoma and control groups (58.2% ± 10.9% vs 58.5% ± 6.7%, respectively;
P
= .847). The Laguna ONhE software showed good reproducibility in measuring percentages of hemoglobin levels in both groups.

Conclusions:

The Laguna ONhE software is useful for patients with childhood glaucoma. However, hemoglobin levels in the optic nerve head across the whole disc may have normal values. This method had good reliability and is easy to implement in routine clinical practice.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus
. 2017;54(6):387–394.]
Dos pinturas de Francisco Bayeu en Vergara
Authors: Calvo Ruata José Ignacio
Published: August 2017

Se presentan dos pinturas inéditas de Francisco Bayeu existentes en la iglesia de Santa Marina de Oxirondo, en Vergara (Guipúzcoa), dedicadas ambas a San Roque y San Sebastián. Son dos versiones del mismo tema por haber tenido que repetirse la obra.
Finite Element Analysis of Mechanical Behavior of Restored Maxillary and Mandibular Deciduous Incisors
Authors: Baciu Florin , Rusu-Casandra Aurelia , Bratosin Claudia
Published: August 2017

The management of traumatic dental caries in primary teeth has the main objective to avoid their consequences that can affect the immediate and longterm quality of life of the child. Aggressive forms of decays can develop on smooth surfaces of teeth and progress rapidly, the effect being detrimental on the dentition. The objective of this study was to compare the stress and displacement distributions in the models of two assemblies by means of the three-dimensional finite element analysis: deciduous maxillary lateral incisor - restorative filling – bone structure and deciduous mandibular lateral incisor – restorative filling – bone structure respectively. Both models were subjected to a 120 N static load applied on the upper surface. The models were built from computed-tomography scans. Two different restorative dental materials were considered. In addition, the results obtained were compared with previous research of the authors, i.e. the mechanical behavior of a deciduous restored molar and deciduous restored canine respectively. As a result of the study, it can be concluded that the biomechanical analysis of deciduous dental caries is a valuable aid in enabling the dentist to make correct and effective treatment decisions.
Analytical Approaches for Characterization of Teeth Whitening Gels Based on Natural Extracts
Authors: Filip Miuţa , Silaghi-Dumitrescu Laura , Prodan Doina , Sarosi Codruța , Moldovan Marioara , Cojocaru Ileana
Published: August 2017

The present study reports the analytical approaches for characterization of teeth whitening gels based on natural extracts of fruits and medicinal plant. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with UV detection were used for identification and quantification of (oxalic, citric, tartaric, malic, succinic and fumaric acids), flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, rutin and quercetin) and phenolic acids (vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferullic acid) from studied gels samples used for teeth whitening. The organic acids were used as active agent with action in tooth discoloration and stain removal. Organic acids were separated through a Carbosep Coregel 87H3 column at 35°C and detection at 214 nm. The mobile phase was the sulphuric acid 0.005 M solution. The total quantity of organic acids of these gel samples was determined. The action of flavonoids have controlled dental caries and inhibited plaque formation. Separation of flavonoids and phenolic acids was carried out on Lichrosorb RP-C18 column at 40 oC and detection at 290 nm. The mobile phase was a mixture of methanol and solution 0.1% formic acid in a gradient elution. The flavonoids, catechin, epicatechin, rutin and quercetin and phenolic acids, vanillic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferullic acid, were determined quantitative in the teeth whitening gels on natural extracts of fruits and medicinal plant.
Suture Materials and Technics, Possible Cause for C-Section Scar Defect
Authors: Petca Aida , Radu Dan Cristian , Zvâncă Mona , Mastalier-Manolescu Bogdan , Petca Răzvan , Boț Mihaela
Published: August 2017

With the increasing number of births by Caesarean section a new pathology has made its presence felt, linked to the scarring of the low uterine transverse incision. It was found that after the birth by caesarean section some patients presented postmenstrual prolonged bleeding, spotting, pelvic pain and infertility. First described in 1995, the isthmocele is a healing defect in the anterior wall of the lower uterine segment at the caesarean hysterotomy site. This faulty scarring could be attributed to physiological peculiarities of the patient, to the suturing technique or ascribed to tissue reaction specifically to the type of suture material used. We found that it may be a correlation between the suture materials used and the appearance of the isthmocele. There are no large studies that asses the long-term outcome of C-section scar on prolonged menstrual bleeding, spotting and infertility and no comparison on the rate of appearance of this pathology by account of the suture material.
The Use of Mersilene Tape in Transabdominal Cerclage
Authors: Mehedințu Claudia , Rotaru Ana Maria , Antonovici Marina , Plotogea Mihaela , Brătilă Elvira , Bohîlțea Roxana , Berceanu Costin , Ionescu Oana
Published: August 2017

Aim: The purpose of this article is to show the use and utility of mersilene tape in medical procedures, such as transabdominal cerclage (TAC). Material and methods: Based on their biomechanical properties, we present our experience with mersilene tape used as treatment for cervical incompetence. Cervical insufficiency or cervical incompetence is defined as asymptomatic cervical shortening and dilatation with the absence of detectable uterine contractions. The mechanical properties of cervical tissue are derived from its extracellular matrix and its most important constituent the fibrillar collagen, alongside other constituents such as proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid, elastin, and water. In the absence of the uterine contractions, the cervix is loaded by intrauterine pressure (including the weight of the growing fetus and amniotic sac), the gravity as well as passive pressure from the uterine wall. These forces also depend on the support action of pelvic floor structures and abdominal wall. The static load resulting from the combination of uterine growth, hydrostatic pressure and gravity seems to be the dominant determinants that cause cervical shortening. The placement of the mersilene tape acts as a barrier between the intrauterine pressure and the cervix. The main advantage of the TAC procedure is the placement of the nonabsorbable suture (mersilene tape at the level of the internal os, avoiding the placement of a vaginal foreign body and subsequently increasing the risk of ascending lower genital tract infection, decreased incidence of slippage, and the ability to leave the stitch in place between pregnancies. Results: The follow-up was without complications regarding the pregnancies treated with transabdominal cerclage. None of the pregnancies terminated prematurely as related to the presence of the tape, but it necessitates to be performed a caesarean section for delivery. Conclusions: Mersilene tape is safe and useful in different medical procedures, including transabdominal cerclage during pregnancy.
Buckling Analysis of Pultruded Fiber Reinforced Polymer Plastic Plate: Application of Simplified Buckling Analysis
Authors: Yoo Jong Ho , Kim Sun Hee , Choi Won Chang , Yoon Soon Jong
Published: August 2017

The pultruded fiber reinforced polymer plastic (PFRP) is one of the most actively studied materials for structural member in construction industries. In this study, a buckling analysis of PFRP plate is conducted by two analysis methods. First, a buckling strength of PFRP plate is calculated by the exact orthotropic plate buckling analysis. Second, simplified buckling analysis for PFRP plate is conducted by using approximate orthotropic material properties. The approximate orthotropic material properties are geometric mean value of longitudinal and transverse material properties of original PFRP plate. As a result of buckling analysis, buckling strength of PFRP plate for each analysis method can be obtained. From the comparison between these results, advantages and disadvantages of each analysis method are discussed. In addition, it is also discussed whether the simplified buckling analysis method for PFRP plate is applicable for the design.
RETRACTED: First-Principles Study of Advanced Nuclear Materials: Defect Behavior and Fission Products in U-Si System
Authors: He Miao , Du Shi Yu , Wang De Jun
Published: August 2017

Uranium silicides are envisaged as potential nuclear materials for the next generation. U3Si is featured by the high actinide density and the better thermal conductivity relative to UO2. To properly and safely utilize nuclear materials, it is crucial to understand their chemical and physical properties. First-principles in theory is mostly used to analyze the point defect structures for uranium silicides nuclear fuels. The lattice parameters of U3Si and USi2 are calculated and the stability of different types of point defects are predicted by their formation energies. The results show that silicon vacancies are more prone to be produced than uranium vacancies in β-USi2 matrix. The most favorable sites of fission products are determined in this work as well. According to the current data, rare earth elements cerium and neodymium are found to be more stable than alkaline earth metals strontium and barium in a given nuclear matrix. It is also determined that in USi2 crystal lattice fission products tend to be stabilized in uranium substitution sites, while they are likely to form precipitates from the U3Si matrix. It is expected that this work may provide new insight into the mechanism for structural evolutions of silicide nuclear materials in a reactor as well as to provide valuable clues for fuel designers.
Low Frequency Dielectric Relaxation and Charge Transport in Bi12TiO20 Photorefractive Sillenite Crystals
Authors: Castro Rene Alejandro , Anisimova Nadezhda Ivanovna , Nabiullina Lilia Ansafovna , Shadrin Evgeny Borisovich
Published: August 2017

Features of processes of a dielectric relaxation and charge transport in photorefractive sillenite crystals Bi12TiO20 at low frequency range are investigated. It was found that the dispersion of dielectric permittivity ε' in crystals Bi12TiO20 is characterized by its growth with lowering frequency and rising temperature. This behaviour may be related to existence of dipole-relaxation polarization mechanism. The frequency dependence of dielectric loss tgδ reveals the existence of low frequency relaxation peaks in the studied temperature range. From the conductivity dependence on the frequency and temperature it was found that conductivity σ increases as frequency increases in the low frequency range. The observed dependence σ(ω)≈Аωs indicates that transport mechanism is due to hopping of carriers via localized electron states. The charge transport is thermally activated process in which activation energy Ea = (0.82±0.03) eV.
Characterization of Carbon Black Filled PDMS-Composite Membranes for Sensor Applications
Authors: Karuthedath Cyril Baby , Fikri Ubaidul , Ruf Friederike , Schwesinger Norbert
Published: August 2017

This paper describes the characterization of conductive PDMS (CPDMS) composites. Composite have been achieved by filling the PDMS with CarbonBlack (CB). Two different methods were used to prepare the CPDMS composites: (A) direct mixing of CB with PDMS (CB-PDMS); (B) dissolving of CB in methanol before mixing with PDMS (CB-Methanol-PDMS). At a certain critical CB concentration, called percolation threshold, the membranes get conductive. Membranes of CPDMS (thickness ≈ 100µm) have been fabricated. CPDMS membranes of method (B) show a smoother surface profile as membranes of method (A). By means of a two–point resistivity measurement, the electrical resistance of CPDMS membranes was measured. With an increase of the CB concentration, the resistance decreases. Membranes of method (B) show a low percolation threshold and a low surface resistivity. Effects of pressure and temperature on the membrane resistance were investigated, too. Around the percolation threshold, the resistance shows the highest sensitivity on pressure and temperature variations. The Young’s modulus of CPDMS membranes exponentially increase with an increase of the CB concentration.
Characterization of Planar Dimensional Capabilities in Selective Photopatterning of Diacrylate and Epoxy Monomers
Authors: Bail Robert
Published: August 2017

Digital light processing (DLP) can be used as a rapid photopatterning technique with micrometer resolution. To ensure high levels of precision and accuracy, it is required to clearly understand the actual dimensional capabilities in the horizontal plane of a patterning setup. A methodology to assess these capabilities was suggested in this study, and the following parameters were determined: The effective pixel size, the planar dimensional reproducibility, and the dimensional precision in dependence of the angular feature orientation in the x-y plane. Experimental verification of the suggested approach was carried out by using a DLP-based 3D printer. This demonstrated that the nominal pixel size stated in the technical data sheet can deviate from the effective pixel size by more than 1%. Furthermore, dimensional inaccuracies of ±5.1% depending on the feature location within the x-y plane were indicated. The dimensional precision was affected by the angular orientation in relation to the pixel grid, and small errors equivalent to ±0.05 pixels were only achievable with features placed in parallel or diagonal orientation. These results characterize the planar accuracy of DLP equipment and help minimize dimensional errors in the direct digital manufacture of microchannel and strut-like patterns.
Study on Evolution of Plastic Deformation of Brass Band under Impact Load
Authors: Yin Jun Hui , Xiong Chao , Deng Hui Yong , Zhang Yan Long
Published: August 2017

During the moving stage of the projectile, the impact load produced by the detonation of the explosive powder acts on the ribbon, causing the plastic band deformation to occur rapidly and the surface temperature rapidly increases. In this paper, the evolution mechanism of the plastic deformation of brass band is studied, and the recrystallization process of the surface metal is still at the meso-scale scale. The recrystallization and grain growth stage sexual characteristics.
Direct Methanolysis of Oleaginous Yeast Biomass (Pseudozyma parantarctica) to Microbial Biodiesel
Authors: Areesirisuk Atsdawut , Chiu Chiu Hsia , Yen Tsair Bor , Guo Jia Hsin
Published: August 2017

In this study, intracellular lipids of a novel oleaginous biomass of P. parantarctica were converted to biodiesel directly using simple acid catalyst methanolysis. The optimum condition of this method was investigated. Under optimum conditions (0.1 M H2SO4, 10 h reaction time, 65°C reaction temperature, and 1:20 (w/v) biomass-to-methanol ratio), the yield of crude biodiesel was 93.18 ± 2.09% based on total cellular lipids. The composition of crude biodiesel was C16:C18 fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) for 91.91%. Especially, the C18:1 methyl ester was the main FAME (47.10%). In addition, the result showed that this technique could produce the microbial biodiesel from biomass containing high free fatty acids (FFAs) without soap formation. The predicted cetane number and kinematic viscosity of biodiesel were characterized according to ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards. Our results indicated that this process produces a good quality biodiesel. Moreover, it can decrease the manufacturing costs of microbial biodiesel production from oleaginous yeast biomass without cell disruption and lipid extraction.
Anti-Seepage Evaluation of Reinforcement Effect for Fengchan Earth Dam
Authors: Liu Ze Han , Shen Zhen Zhong , Qing Wen Wu , Xiong Su Fan , Gan Lei
Published: August 2017

Currently, there is a large amount of earth dams should be reinforced because of the running incessantly in a long period in our country. And the anti-seepage evaluation is an extremely critical and indispensable index to scrutinize the reinforcement effect of earth dam comprehensively. According to the real engineering conditions of the dam, the finite element seepage analysis method is used to compute the seepage characteristics in the Fengchan reservoir before and after the reinforcement in this paper. The results show that the effect of the anti-seepage system is well for adopting the concrete slope protection and concrete anti-seepage wall. The seepage state of foundation and dam body is improved evidently. The seepage gradient and seepage quantity of each material zone reduce significantly and meet the standard requirement of specification.
Pipe Stiffness Prediction of Buried Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer Plastic (GFRP) and Polymer Mortar Pipe
Authors: Lee Jae Ho , Kim Sun Hee , Choi Won Chang , Yoon Soon Jong
Published: August 2017

Recently, glass fiber reinforced polymer plastic (GFRP) pipes are widely used in the water-supply system because of their advantages such as light-weight, corrosion resistance, etc. In previous study, we present the equation to predict stiffness factor (EI) of GFRP pipe with two tape-winding FRP layers and polymer mortar layer in between two FRP layers. As a result, it was able to predict in the range of -3% to +7%. In addition to previous study, we attempted to predict stiffness factor (EI) of GFRP pipe by the finite element method (MIDAS Civil 2016). From the study it was found that the finite element method can be used to predict the pipe stiffness of GFRP pipe.
Study on Welding Deformation and Residual Stress of H-Section Beam Based on Finite Element Method
Authors: Lu Xu
Published: August 2017

The welding H-section beam has good mechanical properties with its superior structure. So they become the main components of steel structure and have been widely used. In this paper, the welded H-section beam is used as the research object. The finite element simulation model is established. The heat source parameters are determined. The deformation of the steel due to the welding process is studied. The results show that the bottom plate and the bottom plate inward bending is about 2.32mm cause by welding process. The residual stress can reach 400MPa.
Study on the Design and Construction Quality Control of AC-13 Rubber Asphalt Pavement
Authors: Wu Xiao Hu , Yan Jin , Tian Miao Miao , Luo Dai Song
Published: August 2017

In recent years, as a new type of asphalt mixture, rubber asphalt mixture has a lot of excellent road performance, and is being widely used, but the rubber asphalt quality control measures are still in the exploratory stage. How to control the quality of rubber asphalt pavement, and provide technical support for more and more rubber asphalt pavement construction is particularly important. This article mainly analyzes and summarizes from raw material selection of rubber asphalt mixture, mix proportion design of rubber asphalt mixture and measures of construction quality control, forming a set of construction quality control technology of rubber asphalt pavement
Influence of Void in Mix on Rutting Performance Hot Mix Asphalt Pavement with Crumb Rubber Additive
Authors: Limbong Rerhard Halomoan , Hadiwardoyo Sigit Pranowo , Sumabrata Raden Jachrizal , Ariyapijati Raden Hendra
Published: August 2017

Pavement construction is expected to support vehicle loads and be weather- and water-resistant. In tropical regions with high temperatures and high rainfall intensity, pavement design and construction must consider the effects of temperature. The addition of crumb rubber (CR) can improve the performance of asphalt concrete in response to vehicle loads and ambient temperature. Fiber-shaped CR can be mixed with the aggregate and bitumen in asphalt concrete. In this study, CR was added to the aggregate in a type of asphalt concrete for wearing courses known as hot mix asphalt (HMA). A series of tests were conducted using the Marshall standard or immersion and wheel tracking machine (WTM). CR was added to the HMA at 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% in aggregate and further mixed with bitumen with 60/70 penetration grade. The additive materials increased the value of the Marshall stability compared to the virgin asphalt mixture. However, this result was not obtained in the WTM test; the addition of CR increased rutting compared to the asphalt mixture without additive. The addition of CR to HMA reduced the voids in the mix, and weakened the capacity of the asphalt concrete to support repeated vehicle wheel loading.
Preparation and Characterization of the Na2Ti3O7: ABS/Na2Ti3O7 Composites
Authors: Sangkatip Rittichai , Sriseubsai Wipoo , Kiatkittipong Kunlanan
Published: August 2017

Titanate Ribbon (Na2Ti3O7) used in ABS plastic was synthesized to study the mechanical properties and to conduct test on the E-coli bacteria inhibition performance. The polymer blends of ABS/Na2Ti3O7 by Na2Ti3O7, was synthesized through alkaline hydrothermal reaction with 0.5 grams of titanium dioxide as a precursor with 20 ml. of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at the concentration of 10 molar under the alkalinity at 200 ° c for 24 hours. The study on the microstructure by scanning electron microscope revealed that the Layered structure was shaped as a complete ribbon. The mechanical testing activities on the E-coli bacteria inhibition polymer mixed ABS/Na2Ti3O7; it was found that the mechanical properties for ABS/Na2Ti3O7, The results showed that tensile modulus and tensile strength of blending Na2Ti3O7 at 0.5 %wt was the highest. The result showed that E.coli could reduce up to 66.01%.
Finite Element Simulation of Cylindrical Projectile Penetrating Composite Laminate
Authors: Gao Hua , Xiong Chao , Li Ze Bin , Yang Yue
Published: August 2017

Composite material has been widely used in the field of bulletproof, and many people have studied it. With the development of the large commercial finite element software, it provides a broad platform for the research of the bullet proof performance of the composite material. The finite element software is used to simulate the effect of different factors on the ballistic performance. The dynamics simulation model of orthotropy is established by Abaqus/Explicit Hashin damage criterion. The velocity of the projectile is changed with time in the process of penetrating the composite target. The theoretical and numerical simulation of the ballistic limit velocity of projectile penetration are compared by the simulation of the composite laminate. The simulation results agree well with the theoretical calculations, and the model is proved to be reasonable and effective. It provides a good basis for the study on the damage of fiber reinforced composite target
Integrated STAT3 and Ikaros Zinc Finger Transcription Factor Activities Regulate Bcl-6 Expression in CD4+ Th Cells
Authors: Read Kaitlin A. , Powell Michael D. , Baker Chandra E. , Sreekumar Bharath K. , Ringel-Scaia Veronica M. , Bachus Holly , Martin R. Emily , Cooley Ian D. , Allen Irving C. , Ballesteros-Tato Andre , Oestreich Kenneth J.
Published: August 2017

B cell lymphoma-6 (Bcl-6) is a transcriptional repressor that is required for the differentiation of T follicular helper (TFH) cell populations. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of Bcl-6 expression are unclear. In this study, we have identified the Ikaros zinc finger transcription factors Aiolos and Ikaros as novel regulators of Bcl-6. We found that increased expression of Bcl-6 in CD4+ Th cell populations correlated with enhanced enrichment of Aiolos and Ikaros at the Bcl6 promoter. Furthermore, overexpression of Aiolos or Ikaros, but not the related family member Eos, was sufficient to induce Bcl6 promoter activity. Intriguingly, STAT3, a known Bcl-6 transcriptional regulator, physically interacted with Aiolos to form a transcription factor complex capable of inducing the expression of Bcl6 and the TFH-associated cytokine receptor Il6ra. Importantly, in vivo studies revealed that the expression of Aiolos was elevated in Ag-specific TFH cells compared with that observed in non-TFH effector Th cells generated in response to influenza infection. Collectively, these data describe a novel regulatory mechanism through which STAT3 and the Ikaros zinc finger transcription factors Aiolos and Ikaros cooperate to regulate Bcl-6 expression.
A Plant-Derived Nucleic Acid Reconciles Type I IFN and a Pyroptotic-like Event in Immunity against Respiratory Viruses
Authors: Kasumba Dacquin M. , Hajake Takara , Oh Seong-Wook , Kotenko Sergei V. , Kato Hiroki , Fujita Takashi
Published: August 2017

Nucleic acids carrying pathogen-associated molecular patterns trigger innate immune responses and are used to activate host immunity. Although synthetic nucleic acids have been used for that purpose, they have shown limitations for in vivo and clinical applications. To address this issue, we tested a naturally occurring dsRNA extracted from rice bran (rb-dsRNA) and characterized it as a potent ligand of TLR3 and MDA5. In this study, intranasal administration of rb-dsRNA induced production of type I IFNs by alveolar macrophages and protected mice from morbidity and mortality resulting from respiratory virus infection, such as influenza A virus. This protection was completely absent in mice lacking both TRIF and MDA5, indicating the essential role of TLR3- and MDA5-dependent pathways. Interestingly, IFNAR1-deficient mice retained residual antiviral protection, which was abolished by pharmacological inhibition of caspase 1, but not IL-1β signaling. In fact, rb-dsRNA activated caspase 1 via TRIF, resulting in the release of IL-1β and LDH. In addition to the direct antiviral activity, rb-dsRNA modulated the immune cell population in the lungs by repopulating virus-depleted alveolar macrophages. Our data demonstrate that rb-dsRNA orchestrates IFN-dependent and -independent direct antiviral protection and that it is a potent immune stimulator modulating antiviral immunity in the lungs. These findings open doors to a range of precise immune-modulating studies and therapeutic options.
Motivational factors affecting informal women entrepreneurs in North-West Province
Authors: Henning Sanchen , Akoob Kabira
Published: August 2017

Background: Informal women entrepreneurs in the rural villages of North-West strive to progress from poverty to prosperity. There is a growing appreciation that the conditions that support women’s ability to start and grow ventures may be different from those that help men and therefore there is a need to examine the motivational factors affecting women’s enterprise development.Aim: The study aimed to identify the motivational factors of women in the Mahikeng area to start informal enterprises, the barriers they experience and their developmental business needs.Setting: The study focussed on informal women entrepreneurs in the rural villages of Mahikeng in the North-West province.Methods: In total, 80 face-to-face questionnaires were completed with women entrepreneurs. A principal component analysis of 15 items of the total questionnaire was performed on the data to determine which items could be reduced and transformed into new components.Results: ‘Destitute conditions’, ‘Entrepreneurial Spirit’ and ‘Passion for Product’ emerged as the three underlying motivational factors. The component ‘Destitute conditions’ was ranked as the most important reason for starting an informal business. The need to transcend impoverished conditions (a push factor) and the need for self-determination (a pull factor) were almost equally strong amongst the 80 participants. ‘Lack of financial and business skills’ was ranked as the biggest obstacle to keeping the business running. Ninety-one per cent of the women entrepreneurs reported that they had never received any training from the government or the private sector.Conclusions: Access to basic infrastructure, training, funding and business networks will enable self-efficacy behaviour of women entrepreneurs in the Mahikeng district to move beyond poverty. Recommendations included the establishment of a regional database of informal women entrepreneurs, the improvement of basic facilities and infrastructure and access to microloans as well as training by the formal sector.
Guillain–Barré Syndrome, Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis and Encephalitis Associated with Zika Virus Infection in Brazil: Detection of Viral RNA and Isolation of Virus during Late Infection
Authors: Brito Ferreira Maria Lucia , Antunes de Brito Carlos Alexandre , Moreira Álvaro José Porto , de Morais Machado Maria Íris , Henriques-Souza Adélia , Cordeiro Marli Tenório , de Azevedo Marques Ernesto Torres , Pena Lindomar José
Published: August 2017

Zika virus (ZIKV) emerged in Brazil in 2015, which was followed by an increase of Guillain–Barre Syndrome (GBS) cases. We report the epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory findings of the first six neurological cases associated with ZIKV in Brazil seen in a reference neurology hospital in Pernambuco, Brazil. In all cases, ZIKV was detected in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. In this case series, four cases were defined as GBS, one as acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and the other as encephalitis. ZIKV was detected in all cases by RT-PCR and virus isolation was successful in two patients. The time between ZIKV acute symptoms and the development of neurological manifestations varied from 3 to 13 days and ZIKV was detected between 15 and 34 days after the initial symptoms. Our results highlight the need to include ZIKV as a differential diagnosis for neurological syndromes in countries with circulation of this arbovirus. Because the viremia in these patients appears to persist longer, direct diagnostic techniques such as RT-PCR and viral isolation should be considered even if it is after the acute phase of viral infection.
Characterization and Correction of OMPS Nadir Mapper Measurements for Ozone Profile Retrievals
Authors: Bak Juseon , Liu Xiong , Kim Jae-Hwan , Haffner David P. , Chance Kelly , Yang Kai , Sun Kang
Published: August 2017

Abstract. This paper verifies and corrects the Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) Nadir Mapper (NM) Level 1B v2.0 measurements with the aim of producing accurate ozone profile retrievals using an optimal estimation based inversion method to fit measurements in the spectral range 302.5–340 nm. The evaluation of available slit functions demonstrates that preflight-measured slit functions well represent OMPS measurements compared to derived Gaussian slit functions. Our initial OMPS fitting residuals contain significant wavelength and cross-track dependent biases, resulting into serious cross-track striping errors in the tropospheric ozone retrievals. To eliminate the systematic component of the fitting residuals, we apply “soft calibration” to OMPS radiances. With the soft calibration the amplitude of fitting residuals decreases from ~ 1 % to 0.2 % over low/mid latitudes, and thereby the consistency of tropospheric ozone retrievals between OMPS and the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) is substantially improved. A common mode correction is also implemented for additional radiometric calibration; it improves retrievals especially at high latitudes where the amplitude of fitting residuals decreases by a factor of ~ 2. We estimate the floor noise error of OMPS measurements from standard deviations of the fitting residuals. The derived error in the Huggins band (~ 0.1 %) is twice the OMPS L1B measurement error. OMPS floor noise errors better constrains our retrievals, leading to improving information content of ozone and reducing fitting residuals. The final precision of the fitting residuals is less than 0.1 % in the low/mid latitude, with ~ 1 degrees of freedom for signal for the tropospheric ozone, meeting the general requirements for successful tropospheric ozone retrievals.
Evaluation of a low-cost optical particle counter (Alphasense OPC-N2) for ambient air monitoring
Authors: Crilley Leigh R. , Shaw Marvin , Pound Ryan , Kramer Louisa J. , Price Robin , Young Stuart , Lewis Alastair C. , Pope Francis D.
Published: August 2017

Abstract. A fast growing area of research is the development of low-cost sensors for measuring air pollutants. The affordability and size of low-cost particle sensors makes them an attractive option for use in experiments requiring a number of instruments such as high density spatial mapping. However, for these low-cost sensors to be useful for these types of studies their accuracy and precision needs to be quantified. We evaluated the Alphasense OPC-N2, a promising low-cost miniature optical particle counter, for monitoring ambient airborne particles at typical urban background sites in the UK. The precision of the OPC-N2 was assessed by co-locating 14 instruments at a site to investigate the variation in measured concentrations. Comparison to two different reference optical particle counters as well as a TEOM-FDMS enabled the accuracy of the OPC-N2 to be evaluated. Comparison of the OPC-N2 to the reference optical instruments demonstrated reasonable agreement for the measured mass concentrations of PM1, PM2.5 and PM10. However, the OPC-N2 demonstrated a significant positive artefact in measured particle mass during times of high ambient RH (> 85 %) and a calibration factor was developed based upon κ-Kohler theory, using average bulk particle aerosol hygroscopicity. Application of this RH correction factor resulted in the OPC-N2 measurements being within 33 % of the TEOM-FDMS, comparable to the agreement between a reference optical particle counter and the TEOM-FDMS (20 %). Reasonable inter-unit precision for the 14 OPC-N2 sensors was observed. Overall, the OPC-N2 was found to accurately measure ambient airborne particle mass concentration provided they are i) correctly calibrated and ii) corrected for ambient RH. The reasonable level of precision demonstrated between multiple OPC-N2 suggests that they would be suitable device for applications where the spatial variability in particle concentration was to be determined.
Carbon and nitrogen pools in thermokarst-affected permafrost landscapes in Arctic Siberia
Authors: Fuchs Matthias , Grosse Guido , Strauss Jens , Günther Frank , Grigoriev Mikhail , Maximov Georgy M. , Hugelius Gustaf
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Ice rich Yedoma-dominated landscapes store considerable amounts of organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) and are vulnerable to degradation under climate warming. We investigate the C and N pools in two thermokarst-affected Yedoma landscapes – on Sobo-Sise Island and on Bykovsky Peninsula in the North of East Siberia. Soil cores up to three meters depth were collected along geomorphic gradients and analysed for organic C and N contents. A high vertical sampling density in the profiles allowed the calculation of C and N stocks for short soil column intervals and enhanced understanding of within-core parameter variability. Profile-level C and N stocks were scaled to the landscape level based on landform classifications from five-meter resolution, multispectral RapidEye satellite imagery. Mean landscape C and N storage in the first meter of soil for Sobo-Sise Island is estimated to be 20.2 kg C m−2 and 1.8 kg N m−2 and for Bykovsky Peninsula 25.9 kg C m−2 and 2.2 kg N m−2. Radiocarbon dating demonstrates the Holocene age of thermokarst basin deposits but also suggests the presence of thick Holocene aged cover layers which can reach up to two meters on top of intact Yedoma landforms. Reconstructed sedimentation rates of 0.10 mm yr−1–0.57 mm yr−1 suggest sustained mineral soil accumulation across all investigated landforms. Both Yedoma and thermokarst landforms are characterized by limited accumulation of organic soil layers (peat). We further estimate that an active layer deepening by about 100 cm will increase organic C availability in a seasonally thawed state in the two study areas by ~ 5.8 Tg (13.2 kg C m−2). Our study demonstrates the importance of increasing the number of C and N storage inventories in ice-rich Yedoma and thermokarst environments in order to account for high variability of permafrost and thermokarst environments in pan-permafrost soil C and N pool estimates.
Pluri-decadal (1955–2014) evolution of glacier–rock glacier transitional landforms in the central Andes of Chile (30–33° S)
Authors: Monnier Sébastien , Kinnard Christophe
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Three glacier–rock glacier transitional landforms in the central Andes of Chile are investigated over the last decades in order to highlight and question the significance of their landscape and flow dynamics. Historical (1955–2000) aerial photos and contemporary (> 2000) Geoeye satellite images were used together with common processing operations, including imagery orthorectification, digital elevation model generation, and image feature tracking. At each site, the rock glacier morphology area, thermokarst area, elevation changes, and horizontal surface displacements were mapped. The evolution of the landforms over the study period is remarkable, with rapid landscape changes, particularly an expansion of rock glacier morphology areas. Elevation changes were heterogeneous, especially in debris-covered glacier areas with large heaving or lowering up to more than ±1 m yr−1. The use of image feature tracking highlighted spatially coherent flow vector patterns over rock glacier areas and, at two of the three sites, their expansion over the studied period; debris-covered glacier areas are characterized by a lack of movement detection and/or chaotic displacement patterns reflecting thermokarst degradation; mean landform displacement speeds ranged between 0.50 and 1.10 m yr−1 and exhibited a decreasing trend over the studied period. One important highlight of this study is that, especially in persisting cold conditions, rock glaciers can develop upward at the expense of debris-covered glaciers. Two of the studied landforms initially (prior to the study period) developed from an alternation between glacial advances and rock glacier development phases. The other landform is a small debris-covered glacier having evolved into a rock glacier over the last half-century. Based on these results it is proposed that morphological and dynamical interactions between glaciers and permafrost and their resulting hybrid landscapes may enhance the resilience of the mountain cryosphere against climate change.
SUstaiNability: a science communication website on environmental research
Authors: Gravina Teresita , Muselli Maurizio , Ligrone Roberto , Rutigliano Flora Angela
Published: August 2017

Abstract. Social networks enable anyone to publish potentially boundless amounts of information. However, such information is also highly prone to creating and/or diffusing mistakes and misunderstandings in scientific issues. In 2013 we produced a website (www.sunability.unina2.it) reporting on some research outputs from the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli (formerly the Second University of Naples, SUN), and shared it on Facebook and Twitter to analyse the effectiveness of these platforms in scientific dissemination. The study results suggest that (i) a regular update of the website stimulates the user's interest, (ii) Campania's citizens are more concerned with pollution problems than natural hazards, and (iii) direct involvement of researchers effectively enhances web-mediated scientific dissemination.