bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recycling Concepts for Thermoplastic Composites
Authors: Van Lochem J. H. , Henriksen C. , Lund H. H. 
Published: July 2017

Thermoplastic short fibre composite materials are increasingly being used as insulating materials in electricity distribution. Economically they possess good opportunities for material recycling and reuse due to the high virgin price. To investigate the recycling potential of post-consumer components, PPS40%GF and PBT30%GF, representing commonly used insulating materials, have been artificially aged and recycled. To simulate 10 years of service life, injection moulded tensile bars have been aged in different environments varying temperature, humidity and pH. After accelerated ageing, the ageing state has been characterized by tensile and impact strength, viscoelastic behaviour (DMTA), molecular weight, crystallinity (DSC) and fracture behaviour (SEM). These properties have been compared to virgin material. The aged materials have been recycled by regranulation and compounding with different ratios virgin/aged material and different coupling agents to repair the glass-matrix interface. Injection moulded compounds were characterised by short and long term properties. Recompounding PBT30%GF with virgin material and no added coupling agents results in a partial recovery of the fibre-matrix adhesion. Based on the first short-term characterisations PBT30%GF seems not very suitable for reuse in primary applications. PPS40% GF seems more suitable for reuse in primary applications after recycling. Although the short-term mechanical properties of the aged batches do not recover after recycling, the fibre-matrix adhesion improves especially when adding coupling agents. Further long-term testing in creep and humid environments during the remaining part of this project will show whether the improved interface properties make recycled materials valuable for reuse in various industrial applications.
Experimental Analysis of Mold Filling in Compression Resin Transfer Molding
Authors: Wirth Stéphane , Gauvin Raymond 
Published: July 2017

Over the years, several modifications of the more standard liquid molding processes such as SRIM and RTM have been proposed. Among them the Compression Resin Transfer Molding (CRTM) presents great interest. In that process, like in RTM, the fiber preform is preplaced in a mold and then a liquid resin is injected. In CRTM however, the mold is kept slightly open during the resin injection. Once the necessary amount of resin is injected, the final closing is done and the resin filled the entire cavity. The main advantage of this technique is to reduce the necessary injection pressure and to ease the molding of parts with high fiber. In this paper, results are reported for two series of plaque molding experiments. In all cases filling time and pressure distribution in the cavity were recorded. In the first series, vinyl ester resin was injected in a slightly open cavity where a thermoformed glass fiber preform had been placed. In this case, an open gap was present on the top of the preform which eased considerably the filling. The mold was then closed to final part thickness. In this case, the resin injection time was extremely short and most filling and wetting time was elevated to the final closing of the cavity. In the second set of experiments continuous strand glass fiber mat was used. Because of their nature, the layers of glass mat completely filled in partially closed cavity. As opposed to the previous experiments, in this case, the cavity was closed during the resin injection. The closing time was chosen in such a way that filling and closing occur simultaneously. Since the reinforcement permeability is reduced during injection, the filling rate was much slower at the end. The data gathered with these experiments could also be used to validate the modeling of foamed core parts molding when resin pressure crushes the core.
Effect of population breast screening on breast cancer mortality to 2005 in England and Wales: A nested case-control study within a cohort of one million women
Authors: Johns Louise E , Swerdlow Anthony J , Moss Susan M 
Published: July 2017

Objectives To evaluate the effectiveness of the NHS breast screening programme (NHSBSP) on breast cancer mortality in England and Wales and to compare findings with a cohort analysis of the same underlying population. Methods A nested case-control study within a cohort of 959,738 women in England and Wales aged 49–64 who were eligible for routine NHSBSP screening during 1991–2005. Cases who died from breast cancer in 1991–2005 were matched to controls without breast cancer at the case diagnosis date and alive when the case died. Risk of breast cancer mortality associated with intention to screen (ITS) (7047 cases/28,188 controls) and screening attendance (4707 cases/9413 controls) was examined. Bias was minimised in accordance with currently advocated best practice. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression. Results were compared with findings from an incidence-based breast cancer mortality cohort analysis. Results ITS was associated with a 21% breast cancer mortality reduction (OR = 0.79, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71–0.88, P < 0.001). Attendance ≤5 years before diagnosis was associated with a 47% reduction in breast cancer mortality after self-selection correction (OR = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.46–0.62, P < 0.001). Breast cancer mortality reduction associated with ITS was 21% in both the case-control and cohort analyses, but the impact of attendance was marginally greater in the case-control analysis (36% vs. 32%). Conclusions Case-control studies designed and analysed according to current best practice guidelines offer an effective means of evaluating population breast screening.
Executive functioning in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients without cognitive impairment: A task-switching protocol
Authors: Migliore Simone , Curcio Giuseppe , Couyoumdjian Alessandro , Ghazaryan Anna , Landi Doriana , Moffa Filomena , Quintiliani Livia , Squitieri Ferdinando , Palmieri Maria Giuseppina , Filippi Maria Maddalena , Vernieri Fabrizio 
Published: July 2017

Background: Cognitive dysfunction affects 40%–65% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, most often affecting information processing speed and working memory, mediated by the pre-frontal cortex (PFC). Objective: Our study aimed to investigate PFC functioning through a task-switching protocol in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients without cognitive impairment. Methods: A total of 24 RRMS patients and 25 controls were enrolled. Two different tasks were performed in rapid and random succession, so that the task was either changed from one trial to the next one (switch trials) or repeated (repetition trials). Switch trials are usually slower than repetitions, causing a so-called switch cost (SC). Results: Patients had worse performance than controls only in the switch trials, as indicated by increased SC and reaction times. Moreover, patients showed a reduced ability to reconfigure the task-set for the execution of a new task and to disengage from the previous one. Conclusion: Our results showed a primary deficit in executive control processes involved in the task-switching performance in RRMS patients without cognitive impairment. This deficit may depend on the functional impairment of the PFC, which is essential to adjust behaviour rapidly and flexibly in response to environmental changes, representing one of the most sophisticated human abilities.
The Influence of Acculturation on Traumatic Stress Following Childbirth Among Hispanic Adolescents
Authors: Anderson Cheryl , Strickland Sarah 
Published: July 2017

Introduction: Many studies have explored the role of acculturation on health outcomes; however, no studies to date have examined relationships between acculturation and the traumatic stress of childbirth among Hispanic adolescents. Method: A convenience sample of 66 Hispanic adolescents 13 to 19 years of age completed the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans–II (ARSMA-II), a demographic sheet, birth appraisal scale, and the Impact of Event Scale within 72 hours of birth. Results: Significant associations were found between the ARSMA-II subscales and acculturation proxy variables, excluding language; however, only the Mexican Orientation Subscale and generation proxy variable influenced the birth experience. The study findings showed that Hispanic adolescents reporting a more traumatic childbirth identified closer with the Mexican culture and reported fewer family generations residing in the United States. Conclusion: As an overlooked area of research, our findings support the need for additional research related to the traumatic stress of birth among Hispanic adolescents. Using multiple acculturation measurements, including the ARSMA-II, with larger, more diverse samples of adolescents, equally balanced between all categories of acculturation and placement within the five-tier generation matrix, can provide some insightful information and directed health care.
A Retrospective Case Series of Carbon Fiber Plate Fixation of Ankle Fractures
Authors: Pinter Zachariah W. , Smith Kenneth S. , Hudson Parke W. , Jones Caleb W. , Hadden Ryan , Elattar Osama , Shah Ashish 
Published: July 2017

Distal fibula fractures represent a common problem in orthopaedics. When fibula fractures require operative fixation, implants are typically made from stainless steel or titanium alloys. Carbon fiber implants have been used elsewhere in orthopaedics for years, and their advantages include a modulus of elasticity similar to that of bone, biocompatibility, increased fatigue strength, and radiolucency. This study hypothesized that carbon fiber plates would provide similar outcomes for ankle fracture fixation as titanium and steel implants. A retrospective chart review was performed of 30 patients who underwent fibular open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). The main outcomes assessed were postoperative union rate and complication rate. The nonunion or failure rate for carbon fiber plates was 4% (1/24), and the union rate was 96% (23/24). The mean follow-up time was 20 months, and the complication rate was 8% (2/24). Carbon fiber plates are a viable alternative to metal plates in ankle fracture fixation, demonstrating union and complication rates comparable to those of traditional fixation techniques. Their theoretical advantages and similar cost make them an attractive implant choice for ORIF of the fibula. However, further studies are needed for extended follow-up and inclusion of larger patient cohorts. Levels of Evidence: Level IV: Retrospective Case series
Internet-based Interacting Together Everyday, Recovery After Childhood TBI (I-InTERACT): Protocol for a multi-site randomized controlled trial of an internet-based parenting intervention
Authors: Narad Megan E , Taylor H Gerry , Yeates Keith O , Stancin Terry , Kirkwood Michael W , Wade Shari L 
Published: July 2017

Objectives We discuss the rationale and description of the Internet-Based Interacting Together Everyday, Recovery After Childhood TBI (I-InTERACT), a telehealth intervention designed to promote positive parenting skills through live in-session skills practice and coaching. A second objective is to describe the protocol of a three-armed (Internet Resource Comparison, I-InTERACT, and I-InTERACT Express) multi-site randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to examine intervention effectiveness. Method Participants included parents of children ages 3–9 who sustained a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) any time since birth. Measures assessing parenting behaviors, parent–child interaction, parent/family factors, and child factors were collected prior to intervention, 3 months after enrollment and 6-months after enrollment. Results This protocol manuscript was submitted before the completion of data collection and prior to any data analysis. It is expected that the I-InTERACT and I-InTERACT Express interventions will be associated with an increase in positive parenting behaviors, and a decrease in negative parenting behaviors, parental distress, and child behavior problems. Finally it is expected that socioeconomic status, life stressors, and social resources will moderate treatment effects. Conclusions The study described in this protocol paper represents one of the first large multi-site RCTs of a parenting intervention designed to promote positive parenting skills in families with young children who sustained a TBI. We plan to disseminate findings to patients and families as well as clinical and research professionals, and begin to develop a research base for this telehealth intervention.
On the Design of Sparse but Efficient Structures in Operations
Authors: Yan Zhenzhen , Gao Sarah Yini , Teo Chung Piaw 
Published: July 2017

It is widely believed that a little flexibility added at the right place can reap significant benefits for operations. Unfortunately, despite the extensive literature on this topic, we are not aware of any general methodology that can be used to guide managers in designing sparse (i.e., slightly flexible) and yet efficient operations. We address this issue using a distributionally robust approach to model the performance of a stochastic system under different process structures. We use the dual prices obtained from a related conic program to guide managers in the design process. This leads to a general solution methodology for the construction of efficient sparse structures for several classes of operational problems. Our approach can be used to design simple yet efficient structures for workforce deployment and for any level of sparsity requirement, to respond to deviations and disruptions in the operational environment. Furthermore, in the case of the classical process flexibility problem, our methodology can recover the k-chain structures that are known to be extremely efficient for this type of problem when the system is balanced and symmetric. We can also obtain the analog of 2-chain for nonsymmetrical system using this methodology. This paper was accepted by Yinyu Ye, optimization.
Limit Value of Dynamic Zero-Sum Games with Vanishing Stage Duration
Authors: Sorin Sylvain 
Published: July 2017

We consider two-person zero-sum games where the players control, at discrete times {tn} induced by a partition Π of ℝ+, a continuous time Markov process. We prove that the limit of the values υΠ exist as the mesh of Π goes to 0. The analysis covers the cases of (1) stochastic games (where both players know the state), and (2) games with unknown state and symmetric signals. The proof is by reduction to deterministic differential games.
Austenitic Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Steels : A Review
Authors: Raman Lavanya , Gothandapani Karthick , Murty B.S. 
Published: July 2017

Materials play an important role in the fast breeder reactors. Materials used in cladding tube and fuel pins should have better creep and void swelling resistance. To overcome these difficulties, a new class of material known as oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) steels are used. There are two groups of ODS steels, the ferritic and the austenitic ODS steels based on the matrix. The present paper reviews the current status of research in austenitic ODS steels. The interaction of dislocations with finely dispersed incoherent, hard particles that governs the strength and high temperature properties of ODS materials is briefly reviewed. The synthesis route adopted for these ODS steels, which is mostly through powder metallurgy route is also discussed. The role of various oxides such as Y2O3, ZrO2and TiO2and the clusters formed in these ODS steels on the mechanical properties and void swelling characteristics is also discussed.
Harvesting Power Through Random Vibrations of Aerospace Vehicles from Nanostructured La-Pb(Ni1/3Sb2/3) - PbZrTiO3 Ferroelectric Ceramics
Authors: Kumar H.H. , Lonkar C.M. , K. Balasubramanian 
Published: July 2017

Synthesis by mechanochemical activation route and optimisation for power harvesting properties of nano-structured Pb0.98La0.02(NiSb)0.05[(Zr0.52Ti0.48)0.995]0.95O3 [La-PNS-PZT] ferroelectric ceramic composition has been carried out and reported here for the first time. Progressive perovskite phase formation during mechanical activation from 5 h to 40 h followed by reactive sintering was analyzed from X-Ray Diffraction analysis. Noticeable formation of perovskite phase after10 h of milling and further its completion in successive reactive sintering was observed. Particle morphology of the 10 h activated nano-La-PNS-PZT powder analysed by High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HRTEM) indicated average particle size (d50) of about 24nm. Microstructural studies of samples reactively sintered at 1220 °C were performed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) for powders activated for various durations, indicated the compact microstructure for 10 h activation which resulted in optimum piezoelectric properties viz. piezoelectric charge coefficient (d33=449x10-12 C/N), piezoelectric voltage coefficient (g33= 32x10-3 m-V/N), Figure of merit for power harvesting (14.4 x10-12 V-m-C/N2) accompanied by excellent stability of permittivity in the range -50 °C to 100 °C. The output voltage obtained from simulated random vibrations of aerospace vehicles at various Power Spectrum Density (PSD) values, measures about 3.0 mV output across resistance of 1 kΩ indicating suitability of composition for harvesting the power from aerospace vehicle vibrations.
Functional Profiling of Transcription Factor Genes inNeurospora crassa
Authors: Carrillo Alexander J , Schacht Patrick , Cabrera Ilva E , Blahut Johnathon , Prudhomme Loren , Dietrich Sarah , Bekman Thomas , Mei Jennifer , Carrera Cristian , Chen Vivian , Clark Isaiah , Fierro Gerardo , Ganzen Logan , Orellana Jose , Wise Shelby , Yang Kevin , Zhong Hui , Borkovich Katherine A 
Published: July 2017

AbstractRegulation of gene expression by DNA-binding transcription factors is essential for proper control of growth and development in all organisms. In this study, we annotate and characterize growth and developmental phenotypes for transcription factor genes in the model filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. We identified 312 transcription factor genes, corresponding to 3.2% of the protein coding genes in the genome. The largest class was the fungal-specific Zn2Cys6 (C6) binuclear cluster, with 135 members, followed by the highly conserved C2H2 zinc finger group, with 61 genes. Viable knockout mutants were produced for 273 genes, and complete growth and developmental phenotypic data are available for 242 strains, with 64% possessing at least one defect. The most prominent defect observed was in growth of basal hyphae (43% of mutants analyzed), followed by asexual sporulation (38%), and the various stages of sexual development (19%). Two growth or developmental defects were observed for 21% of the mutants, while 8% were defective in all three major phenotypes tested. Analysis of available mRNA expression data for a time course of sexual development revealed mutants with sexual phenotypes that correlate with transcription factor transcript abundance in wild type. Inspection of this data also implicated cryptic roles in sexual development for several cotranscribed transcription factor genes that do not produce a phenotype when mutated.
Noncanonical Decapentaplegic Signaling Activates Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 To Restrict Hedgehog Activity and Limit Ectopic Eye Differentiation in Drosophila
Authors: Aggarwal Poonam , Gera Jayati , Ghosh Saikat , Mandal Lolitika , Mandal Sudip 
Published: July 2017

Abstract
One of the pertinent issues associated with cellular plasticity is to understand how the delicate balance between the determined state of cells and the extent to which they can transdetermine is maintained. Employing the well-established model of generating ectopic eyes in developing wing discs of Drosophila by ectopic eyeless expression, we provide evidence for the genetic basis of this mechanism. By both loss-of-function and gain-of-function genetic analyses, we demonstrate that Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (Mmp1) plays an important role in regulating the extent of ectopic ommatidial differentiation. Transcriptional activation of ectopic Mmp1 by the morphogen Decapentaplegic (Dpp) is not triggered by its canonical signaling pathway which involves Mad. Rather, Dpp activates an alternate cascade involving dTak1 and JNK, to induce ectopic Mmp1 expression. Mutational analyses reveal that Mmp1 negatively regulates ectopic eye differentiation by restricting the rate of proliferation and the levels of expression of retinal-determining genes dachshund and eyes absent. This is primarily achieved by restricting the range of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. Importantly, the increase in proliferation and upregulation of target retinal-determining genes, as observed upon attenuating Mmp1 activity, gets significantly rescued when ectopic eyes are generated in wing discs of hh heterozygous mutants. In conjunction with the previously established instructive and permissive roles of Dpp in facilitating ectopic eye differentiation in wing discs, the outcome of this study sheds light on a mechanism by which Dpp plays a dual role in modulating the delicate balance between the determined state of cells and the extent they can transdetermine.
El lugar del bandolero en el conflicto rural. Una aproximación historiográfica desde la obra de Eric Hobsbawm<br /><em>The place of the bandit in rural conflict. A historiographical approach from the work of Eric Hobsbawm</em>
Authors: Bascuñán Añover Óscar , Urda Lozano Jesús-Carlos 
Published: July 2017

RESUMEN Los estudios sobre el bandolerismo han estado fuertemente influidos o condicionados por la alargada sombra de Eric Hobsbawm. Algunas de sus obras más leídas consiguieron elevar a esta figura histórica a la principal expresión del conflicto social en el mundo rural y rodearla de tópicos, mitos e ideales postrománticos. Sin embargo, el paulatino incremento de la producción historiográfica ha supuesto la revisión crítica de algunos de los estereotipos, imágenes y construcciones históricas que recaían en el bandolero, dotando de mayor complejidad el significado de sus comportamientos, sus estrategias delictivas, sus actitudes frente a la autoridad y sus relaciones sociales con las comunidades campesinas. De este modo, el propósito de este artículo reside en presentar una actualización del debate, con especial atención al reflejo que ha tenido en la historiografía española, y proponer una serie de ideas y líneas de investigación por las que ahondar en el conocimiento del conflicto rural y sus actores más relevantes. PALABRAS CLAVE: bandolerismo, Eric Hobsbawm, conflicto rural, historiografía, España ABSTRACT Studies of banditry have been strongly influenced or conditioned by the long shadow of Eric Hobsbawm. Some of his works managed to boost the image of the bandit to one of being the main historical expression of social conflict in rural areas and to surround it with stereotypes, myths and post-Romantic ideals. However, the gradual increase in historiographical production in this area has led to a critical review of some of the stereotypes, images and historical constructions visited on the bandit, rendering more complex the meaning of their behavior, criminal strategies, attitudes toward authority and social relationships with rural communities. Thus, the purpose of this article lies in presenting an update of the debate, with a focus on how it has played out in Spanish historiography, and proposing a number of ideas and lines of research that deepen our knowledge of rural conflict and its most important actors. KEY WORDS: banditry, Eric Hobsbawm, rural conflict, historiography, Spain