bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing prefabricated construction techniques in UAE as a solution to shortage of middle-income housing
Authors: Elkaftangui Mohamed , Basem Mohamed
Published: October 2018

Housing is a major subject in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, JLL, the world’s leading real estate investment and advisory firm, highlights the social and economic impact of a marked shortfall in the required supply of middle-income housing, suggesting that significant efforts are needed to address the current imbalance. For an equal standard and life style in UAE and KSA, the gap of sale and rent prices raises many questions. The middle-income sector of the market represent almost 40 percent of all households in the UAE. Several factors that have contributed to the current shortage of affordable housing, high land values, High capital costs for associated infrastructure development, low adoption of prefabricated construction techniques have contributed to higher construction costs, lower financial returns, making such developments less attractive for developers, limited access to suitable finance for low income families, due to generally immature mortgage markets. Resolving the shortage of middle-income housing requires a concentrated effort involving government agencies, private developers and other stakeholders. This Study will investigate the UAE Housing market to propose solutions for a better progress of the precast sector and focusing on the promotion of sustainable and industrial approaches to construction.
Dichroism Infrared-reflective Thermochromic Ink of Mobile Terminals’ Recognition
Authors: Sha Baoning , Zhao Shengyao
Published: October 2018

The decoration of thermochromic ink has applications ranging from engineering devices to liquid sensors. However, when it comes to accurate computer identification the characteristic as dichroism is not fully used. Thus, we have recently proposed a manufacture method of dichroism infrared-reflective thermochromic ink. (DITI). By rubbing to heat DITI coated layer, this method enables us to finely and separately create dichroism manuscript after the handwriting is complete. Moreover, the microcapsules have cheerful compatibility. We have decorated conventional microcapsules with bola-type copolymer which allow us to fill them with Infrared (IR) reflective perssad. We consider this method promising to distinguish dichroism printing or writing on a tanglesome surface much quicker, for the IR reflective low-colour-density layer will be easily locked by an IR camera or a mobile phone camera to adjust specific characters of interest. We anticipate that this DITI ink will find use in markable temperature measurement, fluid machinery, anti-counterfeiting techniques and daily printing or writing.
Perceived Affordances in Older People with Dementia: Designing Intuitive Product Interfaces
Authors: Chen Li-Hao , Liu Yi-Chien , Cheng Pei-Jung
Published: October 2018

The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between intuitive interactions and perceived affordances in product interfaces among older people with dementia. Experiments were conducted by examining the cooking time in the user interfaces of microwave ovens, and the participants involved 25 older people with mild dementia. The results showed that a simple arrangement of bottoms was more desirable for presenting visual information, but the usabilities of these interfaces were undesirable.
Fault Identification in Pipeline System Using Normalized Hilbert Huang Transform and Automatic Selection of Intrinsic Mode Function
Authors: Yusop Hanafi M. , Ghazali M.F. , Yusof M.F.M. , Remli M.A.Pi , Samykano M.
Published: October 2018

Pressure transient analysis has been widely used to monitor the condition of pipelines and its assessment in water distribution systems. This is a low-cost nonintrusive technique with the ability to locate uncertainties (leak, pipe fitting, blockage) at a greater distance from the measurement point. In this research, Normalised Hilbert Huang Transform (NHHT) is used as the method to analyse the pressure transient signal. However, this method has difficulty in selecting the suitable intrinsic mode function (IMF) for the advance data analysing. As an alternative, Integrated Kurtosis-based Algorithm for z-filter Technique (Ikaz), which allows automatic selection of intrinsic mode function (IMF) been used to substitute the NHHT limitation in this study. The analysis is conducted on a 67.9-meter Medium High-Density PolyEthylene (MDPE) pipe installed with single artificial leak simulator at a water pressure in the range of 1-4 bar.
A TRL Assessment Method Considering Reliability Requirements
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhang Qi , Li Yuan , Feng Weijia , Zhang Wei , Liu Huichao
Published: October 2018

In addition to considering the functional performance characteristics requirements of the product, reliability requirements should be also considered in the current product design. However, the reliability requirements of products have not been fully considered in the assessment method of TRL. This may lead the result of TRL assessment distortion and cannot help developers identify project technology risks accurately. Aiming at this, this paper improves the traditional TRL assessment method, and proposes a new TRL assessment method that considers reliability requirements. First of all, we expound the method of CTE recognition. Secondly, the TRL definition which incorporated with the reliability requirements has been proposed. Thirdly, the criteria of TRL has been put forward. Then the assessment method of the TRL has been given. Finally, the influence of reliability requirements on TRL has been described.
Systematic Innovation for Manufacturing Quality Improvement
Authors: Shu Luing Nikalus Swee , Guat Guan Toh , Yip Mum Wai , Tai See Chew
Published: October 2018

This paper provides a detailed analysis on the systematic innovation process in improving the quality control of latex gloves production. The systematic innovation tool such as TRIZ is applied in this case study. Function analysis, cause and effect chain analysis, physical contradiction, By-separation model and 40 Inventive Principles are applied in order to derive some feasible and low cost solutions to alleviate the problem. Findings revealed that the rejected (leaking) gloves on the production line will be manually monitored by a checker during the air blowing test and will be discarded by the same checker instantly. The main root cause is that the quality control worker is not able to concentrate all the times to detect the torn gloves, mainly is due to the fast speed production line and other distractions. The problem is solved by applying function analysis, physical contradiction, by-separation tool and Inventive Principles to generate low cost but elegant solutions within the defined scope of several constraints and without making the production line more complex. Therefore, it can be concluded that TRIZ is a systematic and innovative problem solving methodology.
Design of an Automated White Board Profiler
Authors: Hasan Md. Tanzim , Parvez Shahin , Roy Shaylesh , Sakib Md. Abdullah , Khalidur Rahman K. M.
Published: October 2018

This paper presents the design for an automated and modernized white board profiler. The design objectives were to: (a) Introducing the concept for a new method of white board cleaning. (b) Getting rid of time consuming old methods. (c) Introducing the design with a CAD model with circuit analysis. Proving that it is time and labor efficient while being cost efficient to do it by using electricity and mechanical body Also, enhancing the accessibility of the user and increasing efficiency in terms of use. This work is expected to contribute to the overall knowledge of machine design and white board cleaning automation in specific.
Kano Model for Identification Car Modification Features of Mobile Application
Authors: Sugarindra Muchamad , Pratama Rian Notia
Published: October 2018

Modification was an activity to replace the object more attractive especially car modification. Lately, car modification become the one of the promising business since that were providing high profits. The owner of car look for the accessories for their car frequently. Then, the owner of car modification should increasing their facility to make the consumer satisfied. Furthermore, if the consumer satisfied with the service than it provided high profit. For increasing high profit than the owner of car modification should made the innovation. One of the innovation was car modification with mobile application (apps.) by Kano model. The aims of this study was to identify the features in car modification using Kano model. Kano model used to identify consumer needs that divided into 3 category. There are must be, one dimensional and attractive. The result from open questionnaire would be proceed by Kano model. This study revealed that feature of selection car body colour, feature of selection lamp model and feature engine cap model of into one dimensional category, feature of selection car velg, and matching the tire into must be category and feature of selection cutting sticker, and selection of bumper model into attractive category, and priority to develop are feature of selection car body colour, cutting sticker and selection of bumper model. This category should be the reference to be the resource for car modification apps.
Influence of the Characteristics of a Workpiece on the Slicing Characteristics Including Tool Wear
Authors: Sakamoto Satoshi , Gemma Masaya , Kondo Yasuo , Yamaguchi Kenji , Yamaguchi Mitsugu , Yakou Takao
Published: October 2018

Multi-wire saws with a diamond electrodeposited wire tool are widely used to slice hard and brittle materials. The properties of the materials significantly affect the saw’s performance in terms of slicing quality, efficiency, and accuracy. In this study, the effects of the material properties of workpieces on wire tool performance and tool wear are described. The main conclusions are as follows: the higher the hardness and toughness of the workpiece material, the longer the slicing time and greater the damage to the wire tool. The brittleness of the workpiece adversely affects the thickness variation more than its hardness. In addition, the frequency of chipping mainly depends on the hardness of the workpiece, whereas the chipping size mainly depends on the toughness of the workpiece.
Human Ergonomics Study in Microgravity Environment
Authors: Liu Pengyan , Zhou Dong , Xue Long , Li Yuan
Published: October 2018

In recent decades, human exploration of space has gradually deepened, and more and more countries and regions have successfully sent astronauts into space. How to complete the space experiment as efficiently and safely as possible in the shortest time with limited resources has become an important issue in the field of aerospace technology. Taking full account of such matter, we consider that ergonomics in design stage is one of the most effective ways to solve this problem. The microgravity environment is the biggest difference between ground and space. Therefore, the study of ergonomics under the microgravity environment is of great significance. This article deeply analyses and summarizes the physiological differences between human and normal gravity under microgravity environment. From the ergonomics point of view, the requirements for spacecraft design and space mission planning are put forward for the reference of engineers and scholars.
Optimal Aerodynamic Shape Optimization of a Paraglider Airfoil Based on the Sharknose Concept
Authors: Abdelqodus Amir A. , Kursakov Innokentiy A.
Published: October 2018

The effects of classical air inlet configurations on the aerodynamic performance of a paraglider airfoil are firstly presented. Followed by conducting gradient-based aerodynamic shape optimization of the baseline airfoil used in the investigation of the classical air inlets. Different air inlet configurations are introduced to the optimized profile, and there effects on the aerodynamic performance are then compared to the initial and optimized airfoils. The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) are solved for the flow field around the closed and open airfoils. The canopy is assumed to be smooth, rigid and impermeable. Results are focused on both of lift and drag coefficients for performance analysis and on the internal pressure coefficient which can be critical for a real flexible wing regarding the risk of collapse.
The Development of the Ideas and Perspectives of the Joined Wing Aircraft
Authors: Vladimir Semenov , Tun Phone Myint , Vladimir Voityshen , Zinta Hardeep
Published: October 2018

The history of the development constructive aircraft scheme with a joined wing, the main sphere areas of their use and advantages in characteristics. Prospects for the application of a joined-wing scheme in adaptive constructions. The development of actuators based on shape memory alloys.
A Mission Performance Evaluation Approach for Civil UAS Applications
Authors: Fokina Ekaterina , Feger Jens , Hornung Mirko
Published: October 2018

The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) mission fulfilment grade is determined by performance capabilities of the system elements, such as UAV flight performance, sensor parameters, energy consumption and communication abilities. The mission simulation and evaluation tool chain developed at the Institute of Aircraft Design allows to assess the system effectiveness in terms of civil and commercial UAS applications and by this to evaluate trade off studies regarding the compatibility between the air vehicle, the sensor payload and the mission. The presented approach for mission performance evaluation is based on the calculation of an overall mission performance index implemented in the UAS design and optimization processes.
Quality Management Systems as a key element for company strategy selection - case study
Authors: Nowotarski Piotr , Pasławski Jerzy , Kadler Aleksandra
Published: October 2018

Term quality can be defined as the implementation of specific requirements, having its source in the expectations and needs of customers, users of products or services and their buyers. In constructions sector quality is crucial at each and every phase of the process beginning with design ending with the use of the building. There exist many different methods and tools related to quality, Lean Management, Agility, which can enhance construction process. One of such methods is SWOT analysis that can be helpful in determining the current condition of the company performing it. Article presents brief description of the quality concept and introduction to the SWOT method. It is illustrated with the example of analysis performed in company from the construction sector related to design and production of wooden trusses showing which strategy would be most appropriate for the company to execute taking into account its current condition.
Concrete pavements management
Authors: Rudziński Łukasz , Słowik Mieczysław
Published: October 2018

The article discusses the issue of managing roads with concrete surfaces. Modern methods of surface features identification applied on the exploited motorway section of a length of 100 km (in conversion to rows of concrete slabs it gives around 600 km) are presented. The general principles of the rigid surface management system are described below in order to enable a comprehensive analysis of the obtained data in terms of the possibility of developing concrete slabs degradation models that form the basis for long-term planning of maintenance works.
Human Design Parameters for Safety of Products and Systems
Authors: Iino Kenji , Nakao Masayuki
Published: October 2018

Designers spend much efforts in defining their products and systems, planning how they work during normal operation. Design assisting tools like Design Matrices in Axiomatic Design (AD) or Design Record Graphs (DRG) are available to the designer in search for ways to improve their work. Majority of accidents, however, take place during irregular operations like maintenance when interlocks are often bypassed and automatic processing are switched to manual. System safety is then in the hands of human operators. A number of past AD studies have addressed safety in products and systems, however, design parameters (DPs) have been physical parts or structures. This paper shows assignment of human actions, like, “reading the quantity display,” “making judgement,” or “pressing a control button,” as DPs in axiomatic design. Such human DPs play important roles during maintenance, nevertheless, designers often leave out safety evaluation of their designs in this maintenance mode. When a human DP fails to meet its functional requirement (FR), the product often faces failure and the system often heads into an accident. Identifying human DPs in products or systems thus alerts maintenance phase workers about actions that are critical for safety. Most accidents take place with excessive dependence on human DP of memory.
Exploring and Adapt! – Extending the Adapt! Method to Develop Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems
Authors: Kujawa Kate , Weber Jakob , Puik Erik , Paetzold Kristin
Published: October 2018

Automotive production is faced with the challenge of bringing new products to market faster, with decreasing turn-around times, meaning production must be continually changing to accommodate new products. This paper proposes an approach to decrease a product’s time-to-market, by increasing the efficiency of automotive assembly unit design. Providing designers with conceptual information about future vehicle models early in the product design process, could shift the design start forward and enable a more efficient transition process. Large automotive companies work on vehicle design and development for years before a product is ready for production. If during these earlier stages of product design, significant changes are identified and communicated to production designers, the manufacturing system design can get a jump start with an early exploration phase. A method exists, which uses the Axiomatic Design theory to develop Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems through a modular breakdown. A similar method Adapt! employs Axiomatic Design and Scrum to develop changeable or adaptable production systems. This paper proposes to extend the Adapt! method to include an exploration phase, which through early communication, provides an overview of the required design process, and enables faster identification of the critical design challenges. A case study is performed by analysing a currently produced vehicle and its future electric version.
Prevention, Early Detection, and Reversal of Type-2 Diabetes using Collective System Design
Authors: Smith Joseph J. , Shah Shahab A. , Cochran David S.
Published: October 2018

Type-2 Diabetes remains a progressive chronic disease that takes more and more lives every year. Small studies are beginning to show that a lifestyle approach could reverse type-2 diabetes in most individuals. The key discoveries from these studies are captured and formulated into a System Design Map for Prevention, Early Detection, and Reversal of Type-2 Diabetes using Collective System Design. Collective System Design describes systems as four aspects that interrelate: tone, thinking, structure and work. The tone in Collective System Design fosters an environment that views human failure as a failure of the system design itself. The thinking in Collective System Design is communicated by Axiomatic Design (AD).With the Collective System Design Approach, a model for prevention, early detection, and reversal of chronic disease is developed. The motivation for this paper is the ability to save millions of lives through a sustainable lifestyle program by identifying the required diet and exercise.
Methodische Herausforderungen der Präventionsberichterstattung
Authors: Starke Dagmar , Arnold Laura , Fertmann Regina , March Stefanie , Moebus Susanne , Terschüren Claudia , Szagun Bertram
Published: October 2018

Hintergrund 2015 trat das Präventionsgesetz in Kraft mit dem Ziel, Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung sowie insbesondere Lebensweltansätze zu stärken. Ein bestehendes Public-Health-Aktionsfeld wird damit durch ein weitgehend als Sozialversicherungsgesetz in Kraft getretenes Regelwerk gestärkt und erweitert. Begleitet werden soll die Gesetzesumsetzung auf verschiedenen Handlungsebenen durch den Aufbau einer Präventionsberichterstattung.

Ziel Formen von Berichterstattung werden mittels der Planungsstufen des Public Health Action Cycle mit ihren unterschiedlichen Zielen, Inhalten und Datenquellen kontextualisiert und voneinander abgegrenzt.

Ergebnis Um die notwendige Steuerungsrelevanz zu erlangen, muss die Präventionsberichterstattung neben der gesundheitlichen Lage und Interventionsmerkmalen auch erwünschte wie ggf. auch unerwünschte Strukturveränderungen im Public-Health-Aktionsfeld abbilden. Aufgrund ihrer Nähe zu den relevanten Lebenswelten scheint hier v. a. die kommunale Ebene bedeutsam. Besondere Aufmerksamkeit verdienen auch gesetzlich nicht intendierte Verschiebungen von Aufgaben aus der öffentlichen in die Sozialversicherungsfinanzierung. Ein v. a. als Evidenzberichterstattung missverstandenes Berichtswesen würde die Gefahr in sich tragen, dass die intendierte Stärkung von Lebensweltmaßnahmen misslingt und stattdessen vergleichsweise leicht zu evaluierende Downstream-Maßnahmen begünstigt werden.
Gesundheitsfördernde Angebote an Schulen in Stadt und Landkreis Würzburg
Authors: Klemmt Malte , Kretzschmann Christian , Neuderth Silke
Published: October 2018

Ziel des Projekts war die Erfassung von Bestand und Bedarf hinsichtlich gesundheitsförderlicher Angebote für Schülerinnen und Schüler an allgemeinbildenden un d beruflichen Schulen in Stadt und Landkreis Würzburg (N=156), um auf dieser Basis Handlungsempfehlungen für die Region ableiten zu können. Zunächst wurde eine qualitative Dokumentenanalyse der Homepages aller Schulen mit Hilfe einer inhaltlich-strukturierenden Inhaltsanalyse durchgeführt. Auf Grundlage der generierten Befunde erfolgte eine schriftliche Fragebogenerhebung. Im Ergebnis zeigt sich, dass insbesondere die Bereiche Ernährung und Bewegung an den meisten Schulformen umfangreich bearbeitet werden. Angebote zu Stressmanagement und Entspannung oder Zeit- und Selbstmanagement sind schulformübergreifend noch ausbaubar. Zum Umgang mit (neuen und sozialen) Medien bestehen zwar - curricular bedingt - an vielen Schulformen Angebote; der Unterstützungsbedarf der Schulleitungen wird hier jedoch gleichzeitig sehr hoch bewertet. Weiterer Unterstützungsbedarf besteht v. a. hinsichtlich der Finanzierung von externen Experten/Referenten.
„Personenzentriert forschen, gestalten und versorgen“– 17. Deutscher Kongress für Versorgungsforschung
Authors: Härter Martin , Klinkhammer-Schalke Monika
Published: October 2018

Liebe Kolleginnen und Kollegen, sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,

Versorgungsforschung ist auch im Jahre 2018 „en vogue“, die dynamische Entwicklung hält durch die zahlreichen Fördermöglichkeiten der öffentlichen Träger weiter an. Das Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, die Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft und spezifische Modellprogramme des Bundesministeriums für Gesundheit, der Deutschen Krebshilfe, der Deutschen Rentenversicherung Bund sowie weiterer Träger und Stiftungen stellen jährlich substantielle Mittel zur Förderung relevanter versorgungswissenschaftlicher Projekte und Programme bereit. Mit einem beständigen Fördervolumen von 300 Millionen € bis 2019 investiert der Innovationsfonds des Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses darüber hinaus in die besten und umsetzungsfähigsten Ideen für innovative Versorgungskonzepte und -forschung, eine Verstetigung des Innovationsfonds ist vorgesehen. Also alles besser denn je für die Versorgungsforschung? Ja, aber!
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is Associated with Elevated Periostin Levels
Authors: Chen Xinwei , Huo Lijing , Ren Luping , Li Yali , Sun Yanmei , Li Yang , Zhang Pu , Chen Shuchun , Song Guang-yao
Published: October 2018

Purpose Periostin is a secreted extracellular matrix protein that is strongly associated with triglyceride metabolism, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance. Growing evidence suggests that there is a link between periostin and ovarian function. Our aim was to ascertain whether circulating periostin levels are altered in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to further explore the relationship between periostin and glucose metabolism disorder in PCOS patients.

Methods In total, 50 women with PCOS and 30 age-matched controls without PCOS were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Periostin levels were measured using ELISA as well.

Results Circulating periostin levels were significantly elevated in PCOS women compared with controls [4206.75(222.00, 4815.25) vs. 430.75(142. 13, 730.86) ng/ml, P=0. 005]. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that serum periostin levels had a positive correlation with body mass index (BMI), uric acid, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), high-sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP), and a negative correlation with insulin sensitivity index (ISI). Logistic regression models revealed that PCOS was correlated with waist to hip ratio (WHR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and periostin levels. In addition, multivariate linear regression analyses showed that FBG, HOMA-IR, and the lipid accumulation index (LAP) were independent factors influencing serum periostin levels.

Conclusion PCOS is associated with elevated levels of periostin.
Asymmetric Synthesis of Netarsudil: A New Therapeutic for Open-Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Sturdivant Jill , deLong Mitchell
Published: October 2018

The asymmetric synthesis of a Rho kinase/norepinephrine transport inhibitor, netarsudil, the active component in the recently FDA-approved product Rhopressa™, is described herein. This concise six-step synthetic route utilizes the 2,4-dimethylbenzoate ester of a phenylacetic acid as the backbone of the β-amino acid’s framework. A chiral enolate of the Evans auxiliary, (R)-4-benzyloxazolidin-2-one, is used to direct the formation of the (S)-stereocenter by incorporating the N-Boc-protected β-amino methyl arm with high diastereoselectivity (96:4 dr) using N-Boc-1-aminomethylbenzotriazole as the electrophile. Uniquely, 2,2,2-trichloro-1,1-dimethylethyl chloroformate is used as a non-racemizing activating agent for the coupling reaction between the chiral (S)-N-Boc-protected 2,4-dimethylbenzoyloxymethyl phenyl propanoic acid and 6-aminoisoquinoline to provide N-Boc-protected netarsudil in good yield and excellent enantiomeric purity (63%, 98% ee). Final acidic deprotection and recrystallization provides netarsudil (>99% ee), an ophthalmic agent used for the treatment of patients with open-angle glaucoma.
Liposomal Bupivacaine Utilization in Total Knee Replacement Does Not Decrease Length of Hospital Stay
Authors: Schumer Grace , Mann John W. , Stover Matthew David , Sloboda John F. , Cdebaca Carol Sue , Woods Gina Moss
Published: October 2018

Liposomal bupivacaine has reportedly been used as an adjunct for perioperative pain management in total knee replacement (TKR). The purpose of our single-blind, prospective study is to show that wound infiltration with long-acting liposomal bupivacaine during TKR will shorten length of stay (LOS) as compared with standard bupivacaine injection and spinal anesthetic with or without spinal narcotic. A total of 195 patients were randomized into three groups: wound infiltration with bupivacaine and a spinal with narcotic (Group 1, N = 65), wound infiltration with liposomal bupivacaine and a spinal without narcotic (Group 2, N = 67), and bupivacaine wound infiltration with a spinal without narcotic (Group 3, N = 64). The groups were then compared with look for any benefit in using the liposomal bupivacaine with regard to LOS, pain control, function, and complications. There was a trend toward a decreased LOS (days) in the liposomal bupivacaine (Group 2) with a mean LOS of 1.83 as compared with wound infiltration with bupivacaine with spinal narcotic LOS of 2.04 (Group 1) and without spinal narcotic LOS of 1.94 (Group 3). These results were not statistically significant (p = 0.37). Patient-reported pain scores were no different between the three groups. The daily narcotic usage (morphine equivalents) during the hospitalization was statistically highest in the liposomal bupivacaine group at 77.2 versus 55.0 in Group 1 and 68.1 in Group 3 (p = 0.025). Nausea or vomiting was most common in Group 1 at 42%, followed by 28% in Group 2 and 22% in Group 3. Pruritus was most common in the spinal narcotic group at 38% versus Group 2 at 14% and Group 3 at 11%.Liposomal bupivacaine showed a trend toward a decreased LOS, but this was not statistically significant. There was no difference in pain scores reported by these patients. In conclusion, we cannot justify the extra cost of liposomal bupivacaine as compared with plain bupivacaine as an adjunct for perioperative pain management in TKR patients.
A Prospective, Population-Based Study of Trends in Operative Vaginal Delivery Compared to Cesarean Delivery Rates in Low- and Middle-Income Countries, 2010–2016
Authors: Harrison Margo S. , Saleem Sarah , Ali Sumera , Pasha Omrana , Chomba Elwyn , Carlo Waldemar A. , Garces Ana L. , Krebs Nancy F. , Hambidge K. Michael , Goudar Shivaprasad S. , Dhaded S. M. , Kodkany Bhala , Derman Richard J. , Patel Archana , Hibberd Patricia L. , Esamai Fabian , Liechty Edward A. , Tshefu Antoinette , Lokangaka Adrien , Bauserman Melissa , Bose Carl L. , Althabe Fernando , Belizan Jose M. , Buekens Pierre , Moore Janet L. , Wallace Dennis D. , Miodovnik Menachem , Koso-Thomas Marion , McClure Elizabeth M. , Goldenberg Robert L.
Published: October 2018

Objective Few data are available on cesarean delivery and operative vaginal delivery trends in low- and middle-income countries. Our objective was to analyze a prospective population-based registry including eight sites in seven low- and middle-income countries to observe trends in operative vaginal delivery versus cesarean delivery rates over time, across sites.

Study Design A prospective population-based study, including home and facility births among women enrolled from 2010 to 2016, was performed in communities in Argentina, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan, and Zambia. Women were enrolled during pregnancy and delivery outcome data were collected.

Results We analyzed 354,287 women; 4,119 (1.2%) underwent an operative vaginal delivery and 45,032 (11.2%) delivered by cesarean. Across all sites with data for 7 years, rates of operative vaginal delivery decreased from 1.6 to 0.3%, while cesarean delivery increased from 6.4 to 14.4%. Similar trends were seen when individual country data were analyzed. Operative vaginal delivery rates decreased in both hospitals and clinics, except in the hospital setting at one of the Indian sites.

Conclusion In low- and middle-income countries, operative vaginal delivery is becoming less utilized while cesarean delivery is becoming an increasingly common mode of delivery.
Trust the Capitonnage in the Giant Cyst: Case Report
Authors: Oncel Murat , Yildiran Huseyin , Sunam Guven
Published: October 2018

Cyst hydatid in the lung is still a health problem for many countries. It develops in the lung and can grow into the lung parenchyma. When it is diagnosed as a giant cyst, surgery should be performed. In the surgery, capitonnage is necessary to protect the lung parenchyma.
Comment on “Water-water correlations in electrolyte solutions probed by hyper-Rayleigh scattering” [J. Chem. Phys. 147, 214505 (2017)]
Authors: Chen Y. , Okur H. I. , Dupertuis N. , Dedic J. , Wilkins D. M. , Ceriotti M. , Roke S.
Published: October 2018

The work by Shelton [J. Chem. Phys. 147, 214505 (2017)] discussed and interpreted differences with a previous study by Chen et al. [Sci. Adv. 2, e1501891 (2016)] regarding the influence of electrolytes on the structure of water. It is argued by Shelton [J. Chem. Phys. 147, 214505 (2017)] that impurities and hyper-Raman scattering contributions are the reasons for differences in the measured second harmonic intensity between the above two studies. Here, we show that these proposed effects are not relevant and discuss the influence of pulse parameters, focusing on pulse duration, since these two sets of experiments are performed with substantially different pulse durations, 100 ns and 190 fs, respectively. We show that inelastic higher-order effects play a role in the experiment with 100 ns laser pulses (the probed structure is that of the electrolyte solution that is modified by a laser pulse), while in the experiment with 190 fs laser pulses, only the elastic second-order response is measured (probing the unperturbed water structure).
Development of high-speed vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy using a modified Seya-Namioka monochromator and channel electron multiplier detector in the HL-2A tokamak
Authors: Zhang Kai , Zheng Dianlin , Sun Ping , Cui Zhengying , Dong Chunfeng , Lu Ping , Fu Bingzhong , Liu Zetian , Shi Zhongbing , Yang Qingwei
Published: October 2018

A high-speed vacuum ultraviolet monochromator is developed for the HL-2A tokamak through the introduction of a novel channel electron multiplier in a modified Seya-Namioka spectrometer. A good signal to noise ratio of above 2000 is attained in the development phase of the system with typical operating parameters for observing routine HL-2A plasmas. The wavelength calibration is performed using characteristic line emissions from a hollow cathode light source with helium and argon discharges. The first measurement result of the monochromator at a sample rate of 60 kHz is presented in comparison with the visible Dα signals.
Analytical gradients of variational reduced-density-matrix and wavefunction-based methods from an overlap-reweighted semidefinite program
Authors: Schlimgen Anthony W. , Mazziotti David A.
Published: October 2018

Analytical gradients of variational two-electron reduced-density matrix (2-RDM) methods are derived by transforming the atomic-orbital reduced-density matrices to remove the dependence of the N-representability conditions on the orbital-overlap matrix. The transformation, performed through a Cholesky decomposition of the geminal-overlap matrix, generates a Hellmann-Feynman-like expression for the gradient that only depends on the derivative of the transformed reduced Hamiltonian matrix. The formulation is applicable not only to the variational 2-RDM method but also to variational wavefunction methods like the full configuration interaction and complete active-space self-consistent-field. To illustrate, we apply the analytical gradients to perform geometry optimizations on several transition metal complexes, octahedral and trigonal prismatic CrF6 as well as the (ethylene-1,2-dithiolato)nickel, or Ni(edt)2, complex.
Resistive switching and charge transport mechanisms in ITO/ZnO/p-Si devices
Authors: Blázquez O. , Frieiro J. L. , López-Vidrier J. , Guillaume C. , Portier X. , Labbé C. , Sanchis P. , Hernández S. , Garrido B.
Published: October 2018

The resistive switching properties of ITO/ZnO/p-Si devices have been studied, which present well-defined resistance states with more than five orders of magnitude difference in current. Both the high resistance state (HRS) and the low resistance state (LRS) were induced by either sweeping or pulsing the voltage, observing some differences in the HRS. Finally, the charge transport mechanisms dominating the pristine, HRS, and LRS states have been analyzed in depth, and the obtained structural parameters suggest a partial re-oxidation of the conductive nanofilaments and a reduction of the effective conductive area.
Rigorous use of symmetry within the construction of multidimensional potential energy surfaces
Authors: Ziegler Benjamin , Rauhut Guntram
Published: October 2018

A method is presented, which allows for the rigorous use of symmetry within the construction of multidimensional potential energy surfaces (PESs). This approach is based on a crude but very fast energy estimate, which retains the symmetry of a molecule. This enables the efficient use of coordinate systems, which mix molecular and permutational symmetry, as, for example, in the case of normal coordinates with subsets of localized normal coordinates. The impact of symmetry within the individual terms of an expansion of the PES is studied together with a symmetry consideration within the individual electronic structure calculations. A trade between symmetry within the surface and the electronic structure calculations has been observed and has been investigated in dependence on different coordinate systems. Differences occur between molecules belonging to Abelian point groups in contrast to non-Abelian groups, in which further benefits can be achieved by rotating normal coordinates belonging to degenerate vibrational frequencies. In general, the exploitation of surface symmetry was found to be very important within the construction of PESs of small and medium-sized molecules—irrespective of the coordinate system. Benchmark calculations are provided for formaldehyde, ethene, chloromethane, and cubane.
Microwave spectrum and non-covalent interactions of the 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrafluorobenzene-water complex
Authors: Li Xiaolong , Jin Yan , Gou Qian , Xia Zhining , Feng Gang
Published: October 2018

The 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrafluorobenzene-water complex was investigated by pulsed-jet Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. One isomer was detected in the jet expansion. Ab initio calculations and non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis were performed to characterize the intermolecular NCIs. In the observed isomer, the water molecule lies almost in the plane of the benzene ring acting as a proton donor to one of the fluorine atoms and as an acceptor to one of the hydrogen atoms forming a six-membered ring structure. The CH⋯O and H⋯FC bonding distances are determined to be 2.385(1) Å and 2.429(1) Å, respectively. The interaction energy is calculated to be −18.0 kJ mol−1 at the SAPT2+(3)/aug-cc-pVDZ level of theory. The observed transitions exhibit splitting in the order of tens to hundreds of kHz due to the internal rotation of water moiety. The possible tunneling paths of water were investigated by ab initio calculations resulting in a barrier for an internal rotation of about 201 cm−1.
The effect of polarizable environment on two-photon absorption cross sections characterized by the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster singles and doubles method combined with the effective fragment potential approach
Authors: Nanda Kaushik D. , Krylov Anna I.
Published: October 2018

We report an extension of a hybrid polarizable embedding method incorporating solvent effects in the calculations of two-photon absorption (2PA) cross sections. We employ the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster singles and doubles method for excitation energies (EOM-EE-CCSD) for the quantum region and the effective fragment potential (EFP) method for the classical region. We also introduce a rigorous metric based on 2PA transition densities for assessing the domain of applicability of QM/MM (quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics) schemes for calculating 2PA cross sections. We investigate the impact of the environment on the 2PA cross sections of low-lying transitions in microhydrated clusters of para-nitroaniline, thymine, and the deprotonated anionic chromophore of photoactive yellow protein (PYPb). We assess the performance of EOM-EE-CCSD/EFP by comparing the 2PA cross sections against full QM calculations as well as against the non-polarizable QM/MM electrostatic embedding approach. We demonstrate that the performance of QM/EFP improves when few explicit solvent molecules are included in the QM subsystem. We correlate the errors in the 2PA cross sections with the errors in the key electronic properties—identified by the analysis of 2PA natural transition orbitals and 2PA transition densities—such as excitation energies, transition moments, and dipole-moment differences between the initial and final states. Finally, using aqueous PYPb, we investigate the convergence of 2PA cross sections to bulk values.
Using the second virial coefficient as physical criterion to map the hard-sphere potential onto a continuous potential
Authors: Báez César Alejandro , Torres-Carbajal Alexis , Castañeda-Priego Ramón , Villada-Balbuena Alejandro , Méndez-Alcaraz José Miguel , Herrera-Velarde Salvador
Published: October 2018

In the same sense as in the extended law of corresponding states [M. Noro and D. Frenkel, J. Chem. Phys. 113, 2941 (2000)], we propose the use of the second virial coefficient to map the hard-sphere potential onto a continuous potential. We show that this criterion provides accurate results when the continuous potential is used, for example, in computer simulations to reproduce the physical properties of systems with hard-core interactions. We also demonstrate that this route is straightforwardly applicable to any spatial dimension, does not depend on the particle density and, from a numerical point of view, is easy to implement.
Crossed fields and two-sided multipactor
Authors: Mostajeran M.
Published: October 2018

A simple stability condition has been used in multipactor (MP) studies in many published works. A general stability condition has been employed in a few works. In these works, the analytical stability of the motion infinitesimally near resonance phases was derived. The MP phenomenon for two parallel plates is studied in the presence of electric and magnetic fields. A novel stability condition is proposed to obtain the MP zones. This study concerns not only the stable motion infinitesimally near resonance phases, but also the stable motion for small phase deviations from resonance phases, using a “main stability condition.” We provide an improved equation for the stability factor. The explicit analytical solution to this equation makes it possible to develop phase stability zones. We have written and run a computer program which simulates the trajectory of electrons with initial resonance and non-resonance rf phases. We have also tracked electrons starting on one plate and returning to the same plate. In this simulation, the initial velocity of electrons is assumed to be zero. Finally, MP zones are obtained in the Ω–ε plane, using the main stability condition.
The activation energy for water reorientation differs between IR pump-probe and NMR measurements
Authors: Piskulich Zeke A. , Thompson Ward H.
Published: October 2018

Molecular reorientation dynamics in liquid water are typically probed using either infrared (IR) pump-probe anisotropy experiments or the NMR spin-echo technique. While it is widely appreciated that the two yield different reorientation times based on the nature of the measurements, little attention has been paid to the implications for the corresponding activation energies. Here, the activation energies associated with reorientation of the OH bond vector in liquid water are calculated to high accuracy directly from simulations at a single temperature using a recently developed method [Z. A. Piskulich et al., J. Chem. Phys. 147, 134103 (2017)]. The results indicate that the reorientation times obtained from IR anisotropy and NMR measurements have different activation energies that, with improved accuracy, should be experimentally distinguishable. The origins of the differences in the two activation energies are examined in detail, including by a decomposition into the contributions to the activation energies due to the kinetic energy and the intermolecular interactions.
Low-energy electron-induced decomposition of 5-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-uracil: A potential radiosensitizer
Authors: Ameixa J. , Arthur-Baidoo E. , Meißner R. , Makurat S. , Kozak W. , Butowska K. , Ferreira da Silva F. , Rak J. , Denifl S.
Published: October 2018

5-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-uracil (OTfU), a recently proposed radiosensitizer, is decomposed in the gas-phase by attachment of low-energy electrons. OTfU is a derivative of uracil with a triflate (OTf) group at the C5-position, which substantially increases its ability to undergo effective electron-induced dissociation. We report a rich assortment of fragments formed upon dissociative electron attachment (DEA), mostly by simple bond cleavages (e.g., dehydrogenation or formation of OTf−). The most favorable DEA channel corresponds to the formation of the triflate anion alongside with the reactive uracil-5-yl radical through the cleavage of the O–C5 bond, particularly at about 0 eV. Unlike for halouracils, the parent anion was not detected in our experiments. The experimental findings are accounted by a comprehensive theoretical study carried out at the M06-2X/aug-cc-pVTZ level. The latter comprises the thermodynamic thresholds for the formation of the observed anions calculated under the experimental conditions (383.15 K and 3 × 10−11 atm). The energy-resolved ion yield of the dehydrogenated parent anion, (OTfU–H)−, is discussed in terms of vibrational Feshbach resonances arising from the coupling between the dipole bound state and vibrational levels of the transient negative ion. We also report the mass spectrum of the cations obtained through ionization of OTfU by electrons with a kinetic energy of 70 eV. The current study endorses OTfU as a potential radiosensitizer agent with possible applications in radio-chemotherapy.
Segmental dynamics of polymer by rotational fluorescence correlation microscopy
Authors: Lee Soohyun , Choi Jiwon , Choe Jongwon , Kim Myungwoong , Paeng Keewook
Published: October 2018

The segmental dynamics of polymers is known to be closely related to the glass transition where the glass transition is the single most important parameter in its application. In this study, we designed an efficient and reliable experimental method to study the ensemble segmental dynamics of polymers by probing rotation of fluorescent molecules in the polymer matrix using a home-built microscope setup. The rotational dynamics of fluorescent molecules was analyzed using a fluorescence correlation method that extracts information through orthogonally polarized fluorescence images. From fluorescence intensities, autocorrelation functions (ACFs) were obtained in many areas simultaneously and by averaging several ACFs, well-defined ACF and precise experimental values were obtained from a single measurement movie. The robustness of the method and optimal experimental conditions were investigated by performing experiments with various probe concentrations, frame rates, and measurement lengths. By employing a home-built vacuum chamber, a wide temperature range was achieved, and we demonstrate the versatility and efficiency of imaging rotational FCM (fluorescence correlation microscopy) by probing segmental dynamics of different polymeric systems with glass transition temperature that differ by ≈100 K and with fragility ranging from 49 to 131. The imaging rotational FCM covers dynamics up to 4 orders of magnitude near the glass transition, and it was found that the rapidity of the stretching exponent β variation with temperature correlates with the fragility of polymers.
Ballooning instability of azimuthally small scale coupled Alfvén and slow magnetoacoustic modes in two-dimensionally inhomogeneous magnetospheric plasma
Authors: Rubtsov Aleksandr V. , Mager Pavel N. , Klimushkin Dmitri Yu.
Published: October 2018

This paper investigates the conditions of the ballooning instability of the coupled Alfvén and slow magnetoacoustic modes in the dipole model of Earth's magnetosphere taking into account plasma and magnetic field inhomogeneity in the direction along the magnetic field lines. The diamagnetic condition (meaning vanishing perturbation of the total pressure) is satisfied. It was shown that the instability develops on the slow magnetoacoustic oscillation branch, but the instability threshold is determined by the coupling with the Alfvén mode. The symmetric (with respect to the magnetic equator) modes were found to be more unstable than antisymmetric ones. In this case, the instability threshold depends on plasma compressibility: the finite sound velocity raises the instability threshold. For all other equal conditions, the instability threshold decreases with the decrease in the field line curvature radius on the equator.