bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relation between dichroism of photoalignment azo dyes and their orientation under light wave field
Authors: Dadivanyan Artem K. , Nazarov Artem P. , Barabanova Natalya N. , Belyaev Victor V. , Gevorkyan Edward V. , Bogdanov Dmitriy L. , Borisenko Olga V. , Chigrinov Vladimir G.
Published: July 2018

To date, azo dyes are widely used for liquid crystal photoalignment in flat panel displays. The relation of dichroism of azo dyes with their orientation under intensive light wave field is considered. Values of a
parameter, which characterizes orientation order of both molecules and dimers, were obtained as well as energy of their orientation process. Number of cooperatively oriented dye molecules was estimated. The angles distribution functions for different dimers were derived. Dipole electrical transition moments directed on angles close to 90° to the direction of maximal polarizability of dimers were revealed.
Autostereoscopic display based on time‐multiplexed parallax barrier with adaptive time‐division
Authors: Kakeya Hideki , Hayashishita Ayuki , Ominami Masaru
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we propose an autostereoscopic display with adaptive time‐division multiplexing parallax barrier. When time‐division triplexing parallax barrier is applied in place of the conventional time‐division quadruplexing parallax barrier, the image becomes brighter without destroying stereoscopy, while the viewing zone without crosstalk is narrowed. Under this trade‐off relationship, comfortable viewing conditions are secured with an adaptive display system where time‐division quadruplexing is applied in a dark environment in which crosstalk stands out and time‐division triplexing is applied in a bright environment, which requires a brighter screen to prevail against the ambient reflection. We theoretically evaluate the viewing zone without crosstalk given by different numbers of time‐division multiplexing.
Magnetic solid‐phase extraction of pyrethroid pesticides in environmental water samples with CoFe2O4‐embedded porous graphitic carbon nanocomposites
Authors: Ma Kaixuan , Zhang Meixing , Miao Shengchao , Gu Xinyue , Li Nan , Cui Shihai , Yang Jing
Published: July 2018

Magnetic CoFe2O4‐embedded porous graphitic carbon nanocomposites were prepared through a facile solid‐phase thermal reaction with NaCl as a template. The material was applied in the magnetic solid‐phase extraction process coupled with high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector to detect the trace fenpropathrin, cyhalothrin, S‐fenvalerate, and bifenthrin in different water samples. The synthesis conditions of nanomaterial including glucose concentration and calcination time on extraction performance for pyrethroid pesticides have been investigated. Different magnetic solid‐phase extraction parameters have been studied, such as the nanomaterial amount, solution pH, eluent types, adsorption time, and the reusability. Under the optimum conditions, good recoveries (80.2–110.9%) were achieved with relative standard deviations of 0.2–5.8%. There are probably hydrophobic interactions and dipole–dipole attractions between nanocomposites and the analytes.
Black Raspberry Seed Oil Improves Lipid Metabolism by Inhibiting Lipogenesis and Promoting Fatty‐Acid Oxidation in High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Obese Mice and db/db Mice
Authors: Lee Hee Jae , Jung Hana , Cho Hyunnho , Lee Kiuk , Hwang Keum Taek
Published: July 2018

The objective of this study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of α‐linolenic acid‐rich black raspberry seed (BRS) oil on lipid metabolism in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese and db/db mice. Five‐week‐old C57BL/6 mice were fed diets consisting of 50% calories from lard, 5% from soybean, and 5% from corn oil (HFD), or 50% calories from lard and 10% from BRS oil (HFD + BRS oil diet) for 12 weeks. Six‐week‐old C57BL/KsJ‐db/db mice were fed diets consisting of 16% calories from soybean oil (standard diet), 8% from soybean, and 8% from BRS oil, or 16% from BRS oil for 10 weeks. The BRS oil diets lowered the levels of triacylglycerol, nonesterified fatty acids, and total cholesterol in serum and liver of both of the obese and db/db mice as compared with the HFD and standard diet, respectively. mRNA levels of lipogenesis markers including cluster of differentiation 36, fatty‐acid‐binding protein 1, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c, fatty‐acid synthase, and solute carrier family 25 member 1 in the liver of the BRS oil groups were lower than those in the liver of the HFD and standard groups in the obese and db/db mice, respectively. On the other hand, fatty‐acid oxidation markers including carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A, acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase, hydroxylacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase α, and acyl‐CoA oxidase in the liver of the BRS oil groups were higher than those in the liver of the HFD and standard groups in the obese and db/db mice, respectively. Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α mRNA and protein levels increased in the liver and epididymal adipose tissue of the obese and db/db mice fed BRS oil compared with HFD and standard diet, respectively. BRS oil might improve lipid metabolism by inhibiting lipogenesis and promoting fatty‐acid oxidation in HFD‐induced obese and db/db mice.
Performance studies of Ag, Ag‐graphite, and Ag‐graphene coatings on Cu substrate for high‐voltage isolation switch
Authors: Lv Wang Yan , Zheng Ke Qin , Zhang Zeng Guang
Published: July 2018

Ag coating, Ag‐graphite composite coating and Ag‐graphene composite coating were prepared on copper surface by electrodeposition. Their microstructure, composition, wear resistance, anti‐corrosion properties, and contact electric resistivity were investigated. The results show that all the coatings have good adhesion with the substrate. The addition of 3.95 at% graphene to the Ag coating could increase its hardness by more than 20%. Compared to the Cu substrate and other two coatings, Ag‐graphene composite coating exhibits the lowest friction coefficient and the smallest wear width. The self‐corrosion current density of Ag‐graphene composite coating in 3.5% NaCl solution is 1.139 μA cm−2, which is also smaller than those of the other coatings. The addition of graphene has little effect on the contact resistance of the coating. The present results indicate that the Ag‐graphene composite coating has great potential for high‐voltage isolation switch application.
Development, commissioning, and evaluation of a new intensity modulated minibeam proton therapy system
Authors: Farr J. B. , Moskvin V. , Lukose R. C. , Tuomanen S. , Tsiamas P. , Yao W.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

To invent, design, construct, and commission an intensity modulated minibeam proton therapy system (IMMPT) without the need for physical collimation and to compare its resulting conformity to a conventional IMPT system.

Methods

A proton therapy system (Hitachi, Ltd, Hitachi City, Japan; Model: Probeat‐V) was specially modified to produce scanned minibeams without collimation. We performed integral depth dose acquisitions and calibrations using a large diameter parallel‐plate ionization chamber in a scanning water phantom (PTW, Freiburg, Germany; Models: Bragg Peak ionization chamber, MP3‐P). Spot size and shape was measured using radiochromic film (Ashland Advanced Materials, Bridgewater NJ; Type: EBT3), and a synthetic diamond diode type scanned point by point in air (PTW Models: MicroDiamond, MP3‐P). The measured data were used as inputs to generate a Monte Carlo‐based model for a commercial radiotherapy planning system (TPS) (Varian Medical Systems, Inc., Palo Alto, CA; Model: Eclipse v13.7.15). The regular ProBeat‐V system (sigma ~2.5 mm) TPS model was available for comparison. A simulated base of skull case with small and medium targets proximal to brainstem was planned for both systems and compared.

Results

The spot sigma is determined to be 1.4 mm at 221 MeV at the isocenter and below 1 mm at proximal distances. Integral depth doses were indistinguishable from the standard spot commissioning data. The TPS fit the spot profiles closely, giving a residual error maximum of 2.5% in the spot penumbra tails (below 5% of maximum) from the commissioned energies 69.4 to 221.3 MeV. The resulting IMMPT plans were more conformal than the IMPT plans due to a sharper dose gradient (90‐10%) 1.5 mm smaller for the small target, and 1.3 mm for the large target, at a representative central axial water equivalent depth of 7 cm.

Conclusions

We developed, implemented, and tested a new IMMPT system. The initial results look promising in cases where treatments can benefit from additional dose sparing to neighboring sensitive structures.
Multimodal integration of diffusion MRI for better characterization of tissue biology
Authors: Liu Chunlei , Özarslan Evren
Published: July 2018

The contrast in diffusion‐weighted MR images is due to variations of diffusion properties within the examined specimen. Certain microstructural information on the underlying tissues can be inferred through quantitative analyses of the diffusion‐sensitized MR signals. In the first part of the paper, we review two types of approach for characterizing diffusion MRI signals: Bloch's equations with diffusion terms, and statistical descriptions. Specifically, we discuss expansions in terms of cumulants and orthogonal basis functions, the confinement tensor formalism and tensor distribution models. Further insights into the tissue properties may be obtained by integrating diffusion MRI with other techniques, which is the subject of the second part of the paper. We review examples involving magnetic susceptibility, structural tensors, internal field gradients, transverse relaxation and functional MRI. Integrating information provided by other imaging modalities (MR based or otherwise) could be a key to improve our understanding of how diffusion MRI relates to physiology and biology.
Wireless amplified NMR detector for improved visibility of image contrast in heterogeneous lesions
Authors: Zeng Xianchun , Xu Shengqiang , Cao Changyong , Wang Jian , Qian Chunqi
Published: July 2018

To demonstrate the capability of a wireless amplified NMR detector (WAND) to improve the visibility of lesion heterogeneity without the use of exogenous contrast agents, a cylindrically symmetric WAND was constructed to sensitively detect and simultaneously amplify MR signals emitted from adjacent tissues. Based on a two‐leg high‐pass birdcage coil design, this WAND could be activated by a pumping field aligned along the main field (B0), without perturbing MR signal reception. Compared with an equivalent pair of external detectors, the WAND could achieve more than 10‐fold gain for immediately adjacent regions. Even for regions with 3.4 radius distance separation from the detector's cylindrical center, the WAND was at least 1.4 times more sensitive than an equivalent pair of surface arrays or at least twice as sensitive as a single‐sided external surface detector. When the WAND was inserted into a rat's rectum to observe adjacent tumors implanted beneath the mucosa, it could enhance the detection sensitivity of lesion regions, and thus enlarge the observable signal difference between heterogeneous tissues and clearly identify lesion boundaries as continuous lines in the intensity gradient profile. Hyperintense regions observable by the WAND existed due to higher levels of blood supply, which was indicated by a similar pattern of signal enhancement after contrast agent administration. By better observing the endogenous signal contrast, the endoluminal WAND could characterize lesions without the use of exogenous contrast agents, and thus reduce contrast‐induced toxicity.
Increase student persistence with earlier alerts
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: July 2018

DALLAS — Early alert programs have helped officials at many colleges and universities identify students who are struggling before their problems reach a crisis point. But what if you could identify risk factors that could impact students' performance before they even start classes?
Analysis of the immersed boundary method for a finite element Stokes problem
Authors: Saito Norikazu , Sugitani Yoshiki
Published: July 2018

Convergence results are presented for the immersed boundary (IB) method applied to a model Stokes problem. As a discretization method, we use the finite element method. First, the immersed force field is approximated using a regularized delta function. Its error in the W−1, p norm is examined for 1 ≤ p < n/(n − 1), with n representing the space dimension. Subsequently, we consider IB discretization of the Stokes problem and examine the regularization and discretization errors separately. Consequently, error estimate of order h1 − α in the W1, 1 × L1 norm for the velocity and pressure is derived, where α is an arbitrary small positive number. The validity of those theoretical results is confirmed from numerical examples.
Effects of δ‐aminolevulinic acid dehydratase silencing on the primary and secondary metabolisms of citrus
Authors: Killiny Nabil , Hijaz Faraj , Nehela Yasser , Hajeri Subhas , Gowda Siddarame
Published: July 2018

δ‐aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) is an important enzyme in tetrapyrrole synthesis. ALAD combines two δ‐aminolevulinic acid (δ‐ALA) molecules to form the pyrrole molecule, porphobilinogen, an important precursor for plant pigments involved in photosynthesis, respiration, and nutrient uptake. In this study, we investigated the effects of silencing of ALAD gene on citrus leaf pigments and metabolites. The ALAD enzyme was inhibited using virus‐induced gene silencing (VIGS) technology using citrus tristeza virus (CTV). δ‐ALA accumulated in citrus plants inoculated with the recombinant virus (CTV‐tALAD) to silence ALAD and resulted in discrete yellow spots (yellow islands) and necrosis in leaves and stems. The levels of chlorophylls, starch, sucrose, trans‐ and cis‐violaxanthin, and α‐ and β‐cryptoxanthin were reduced in CTV‐tALAD plants, whereas zeaxanthin was increased. The increase in zeaxanthin and the decrease in its precursors indicated that the reduction in chlorophylls resulted in light damage. Salicylic acid and jasmonic acid levels, as well as emission of (E)‐α‐bergamotene and (E)‐β‐farnesene, increased in CTV‐tALAD plants indicating these plants were under stress. Our results showed that silencing of ALAD induces stress in plants and that VIGS using mild CTV strains is a promising technique to study biological function of citrus genes.
Parameters of Aluminum Nanopowders Activity after Long‐Term Storage in an Airtight Container
Authors: Ilyin Alexander , Tikhonov Dmitriy , Mostovshchikov Andrei
Published: July 2018

The work has established the change in the activity parameters of aluminum nanopowders produced by electric explosion of a wire during their storage in an airtight container. The change in the characteristics of the nanopowders using four activity parameters was measured by benchmarking their activity after the production, passivation and keeping for 10–20 days and after their storage for 16 years. It was also established that after long‐term storage, the temperature of oxidation initiation for the nanopowders in air has increased; the increment of mass during oxidation at up to 800 °C for all specimens has increased, while the content of metallic aluminum has decreased. The electrical double layer on the surface of aluminum nanoparticles during storing even in an airtight container changes with time and does not provide the protective function. In this connection, the future application of aluminum nanopowders in high‐energy materials is not feasible without solving the problem of their stability. According to the results, electric‐explosion aluminum nanopowder is an unstable aluminum‐air system even in an airtight container.
Inhibition of androgen receptor transactivation function by adenovirus type 12 E1A undermines prostate cancer cell survival
Authors: Li Dawei , Tian Guimei , Wang Jia , Zhao Lisa Y. , Co Olivia , Underill Zoe C. , Mymryk Joe S. , Claessens Frank , Dehm Scott M. , Daaka Yehia , Liao Daiqing
Published: July 2018

Background

Mutations or truncation of the ligand‐binding domain (LBD) of androgen receptor (AR) underlie treatment resistance for prostate cancer (PCa). Thus, targeting the AR N‐terminal domain (NTD) could overcome such resistance.

Methods

Luciferase reporter assays after transient transfection of various DNA constructs were used to assess effects of E1A proteins on AR‐mediated transcription. Immunofluorescence microscopy and subcellular fractionation were applied to assess intracellular protein localization. Immunoprecipitation and mammalian two‐hybrid assays were used to detect protein‐protein interactions. qRT‐PCR was employed to determine RNA levels. Western blotting was used to detect protein expression in cells. Effects of adenoviruses on prostate cancer cell survival were evaluated with CellTiter‐Glo assays.

Results

Adenovirus 12 E1A (E1A12) binds specifically to the AR. Interestingly, the full‐length E1A12 (266 aa) preferentially binds to full‐length AR, while the small E1A12 variant (235 aa) interacts more strongly with AR‐V7. E1A12 promotes AR nuclear translocation, likely through mediating intramolecular AR NTD‐LBD interactions. In the nucleus, AR and E1A12 co‐expression in AR‐null PCa cells results in E1A12 redistribution from nuclear foci containing CBX4 (also known as Pc2), suggesting a preferential AR‐E1A12 interaction over other E1A12 interactors. E1A12 represses AR‐mediated transcription in reporter gene assays and endogenous AR target genes such as ATAD2 and MYC in AR‐expressing PCa cells. AR‐expressing PCa cells are more sensitive to death induced by a recombinant adenovirus expressing E1A12 (Ad‐E1A12) than AR‐deficient PCa cells, which could be attributed to the increased viral replication promoted by androgen stimulation. Targeting the AR by E1A12 promotes apoptosis in PCa cells that express the full‐length AR or C‐terminally truncated AR variants. Importantly, inhibition of mTOR signaling that blocks the expression of anti‐apoptotic proteins markedly augments Ad‐E1A12‐induced apoptosis of AR‐expressing cells. Mechanistically, Ad‐E1A12 infection triggers apoptotic response while activating the PI3K‐AKT‐mTOR signaling axis; thus, mTOR inhibition enhances apoptosis in AR‐expressing PCa cells infected by Ad‐E1A12.

Conclusion

Ad12 E1A inhibits AR‐mediated transcription and suppresses PCa cell survival, suggesting that targeting the AR by E1A12 might have therapeutic potential for treating advanced PCa with heightened AR signaling.
Regulation of ELL2 stability and polyubiquitination by EAF2 in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Yang Tiejun , Jing Yifeng , Dong Jun , Yu Xinpei , Zhong Mingming , Pascal Laura E. , Wang Dan , Zhang Zhongxian , Qiao Baoping , Wang Zhou
Published: July 2018

Background

Elongation factor for RNA polymerase 2 (ELL2) and ELL associated factor 2 (EAF2) have been reported to have tumor suppressive properties in prostate epithelial cells.

Aims

We investigated ELL2 expression in human prostate cancer specimens, and ELL2 protein stability and ubiquitination in prostate cancer cells.

Materials and Methods

Immunostaining analysis of human prostate cancer specimens was used to determine ELL2 expression in tumor and normal tissues. ELL2 knockdown in prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and C4‐2 was used to compare proliferation and motility. Deletion and site‐directed mutagenesis was used to identify amino acid residues in ELL2 that were important for degradation.

Results

ELL2 protein was downregulated in prostate cancer specimens and was up‐regulated by androgens in prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and C4‐2. ELL2 knockdown enhanced prostate cancer cell proliferation and motility. ELL2 protein has a short half‐life and was stabilized by proteasome inhibitor MG132. Amino acid residues K584 and K599 in ELL2 were important for ELL2 degradation. EAF2 could stabilize ELL2 and inhibited its polyubiquitination.

Conclusion

Our findings provide further evidence that ELL2 is a potential tumor suppressor frequently down‐regulated in clinical prostate cancer specimens and provides new insights into regulation of ELL2 protein level by polyubiquitination and EAF2 binding.
Spin Splitting in Quasi‐One Dimensional Systems
Authors: Milivojević Marko , Lazić Nataša , Dmitrović Saša , Damnjanović Milan , Vuković Tatjana
Published: July 2018

Spin‐orbit induced phenomena in quasi‐one‐dimensional systems are analyzed with the help of double line groups and their irreducible representations. Orbital band splitting and removal of the spin degeneracy are found to be incompatible with vertical mirror symmetry, as well as with simultaneous invariance under the time reversal and horizontal (roto) reflections. This singles out systems with the first and the fifth family line group symmetry as the only candidates for spin polarized currents; direction of electron spin polarization is also determined by the system symmetry. When applied to carbon nanotubes the developed theory enlightens a number of interesting results concerning the band topology and spin polarization of bands.
Quantum Transport by Spin‐Polarized Edge States in Graphene Nanoribbons in the Quantum Spin Hall and Quantum Anomalous Hall Regimes
Authors: Pournaghavi Nezhat , Holmqvist Cecilia , Pertsova Anna , Canali Carlo M.
Published: July 2018

Using the non‐equilibrium Green's function method and the Keldysh formalism, we study the effects of spin–orbit interactions and time‐reversal symmetry breaking exchange fields on non‐equilibrium quantum transport in graphene armchair nanoribbons. We identify signatures of the quantum spin Hall (QSH) and the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) phases in non‐equilibrium edge transport by calculating the spin‐resolved real space charge density and local currents at the nanoribbon edges. We find that the QSH phase, which is realized in a system with intrinsic spin–orbit coupling, is characterized by chiral counter‐propagating local spin currents summing up to a net charge flow with opposite spin polarization at the edges. In the QAH phase, emerging in the presence of Rashba spin–orbit coupling and a ferromagnetic exchange field, two chiral edge channels with opposite spins propagate in the same direction at each edge, generating an unpolarized charge current and a quantized Hall conductance G = 2e2/h. Increasing the intrinsic spin–orbit coupling causes a transition from the QAH to the QSH phase, evinced by characteristic changes in the non‐equilibrium edge transport. In contrast, an antiferromagnetic exchange field can coexist with a QSH phase, but can never induce a QAH phase due to a symmetry that combines time‐reversal and sublattice translational symmetry.
Data‐adaptive additive modeling
Authors: Petersen Ashley , Witten Daniela
Published: July 2018

In this paper, we consider fitting a flexible and interpretable additive regression model in a data‐rich setting. We wish to avoid pre‐specifying the functional form of the conditional association between each covariate and the response, while still retaining interpretability of the fitted functions. A number of recent proposals in the literature for nonparametric additive modeling are data adaptive, in the sense that they can adjust the level of flexibility in the functional fits to the data at hand. For instance, the sparse additive model makes it possible to adaptively determine which features should be included in the fitted model, the sparse partially linear additive model allows each feature in the fitted model to take either a linear or a nonlinear functional form, and the recent fused lasso additive model and additive trend filtering proposals allow the knots in each nonlinear function fit to be selected from the data. In this paper, we combine the strengths of each of these recent proposals into a single proposal that uses the data to determine which features to include in the model, whether to model each feature linearly or nonlinearly, and what form to use for the nonlinear functions. We establish connections between our approach and recent proposals from the literature, and we demonstrate its strengths in a simulation study.
A Bayesian analysis of small n sequential multiple assignment randomized trials (snSMARTs)
Authors: Wei Boxian , Braun Thomas M. , Tamura Roy N. , Kidwell Kelley M.
Published: July 2018

Designing clinical trials to study treatments for rare diseases is challenging because of the limited number of available patients. A suggested design is known as the small n sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (snSMART), in which patients are first randomized to one of multiple treatments (stage 1). Patients who respond to their initial treatment continue the same treatment for another stage, while those who fail to respond are rerandomized to one of the remaining treatments (stage 2). The data from both stages are used to compare the efficacy between treatments. Analysis approaches for snSMARTs are limited, and we propose a Bayesian approach that allows for borrowing of information across both stages. Through simulation, we compare the bias, root‐mean‐square error, width, and coverage rate of 95% confidence/credible interval of estimators from of our approach to estimators produced from (i) standard approaches that only use the data from stage 1, and (ii) a log‐Poisson model using data from both stages whose parameters are estimated via generalized estimating equations. We demonstrate the root‐mean‐square error and width of 95% confidence/credible intervals of our estimators are smaller than the other approaches in realistic settings, so that the collection and use of stage 2 data in snSMARTs provide improved inference for treatments of rare diseases.
A Bishydrated, Eight–Coordinate Gd(III) Complex with Very Fast Water Exchange: Synthesis, Characterization, and Phantom MR Imaging
Authors: Phukan Bedika , Malikidogo Kyangwi P. , Bonnet Célia S. , Tóth Éva , Mondal Samsuzzoha , Mukherjee Chandan
Published: July 2018

We report here the physical‐chemical characterization of a highly water‐soluble Gd(III) complex (complex 1) formed with the asymmetric hexadentate ligand H4bedik (2,2′‐((2‐(bis (carboxymethyl)amino)benzyl)azanediyl)diacetic acid). The number of water molecules directly coordinated to the metal, q=2.2, was assessed by measuring luminescence lifetimes of the Tb(III) analogue (complex 2) in H2O and D2O and it further was confirmed by 17O chemical shift measurements on the Gd(III) complex. The complex has moderate thermodynamic stability and remains insensitive to physiological anions [biphosphate (HPO42−), bicarbonate (HCO3−)] and pH variation (in the range 5–10) of the medium as evidenced by negligible changes in longitudinal relaxivity (r1) at 1.41 T, 25 °C. The Gd(III) complex exhibits very fast water exchange, among the fastest reported for Gd(III) chelates, and high relaxivity at high magnetic fields (r1=7.47 mM–1s–1 at 9.4 T, pH ∼ 7 and 25 °C). Interestingly, the very high positive value of the activation entropy indicates a dissociatively activated water exchange for this eight‐coordinate complex.
Graphene‐Based Nanomaterials for Flexible and Wearable Supercapacitors
Authors: Huang Liang , Santiago Diana , Loyselle Patricia , Dai Liming
Published: July 2018

Along with the quick development of flexible and wearable electronic devices, there is an ever‐growing demand for light‐weight, flexible, and wearable power sources. Because of the high power density, excellent cycling stability and easy fabrication, flexible supercapacitors are widely studied for this purpose. Graphene‐based nanomaterials are attractive electrode materials for flexible and wearable supercapacitors owing to their high surface area, good mechanical and electrical properties, and excellent electrochemical stability. The 2D structure and high aspect ratio of graphene nanosheets make them easy to assemble into films or fibers with good mechanical properties. In recent years, enormous progress has been made in developing flexible and wearable graphene‐based supercapacitors. Here, the material and structure design strategies for developing film‐shaped and emerging fiber‐shaped flexible supercapacitors based on graphene nanomaterials are summarized.
In Situ Diagnostics of Damage Accumulation in Ni-Based Superalloys Using High-Temperature Computed Tomography
Authors: Kageyama K. , Adziman F. , Alabort E. , Sui T. , Korsunsky A. M. , Reed R. C.
Published: July 2018

The design, operation, and performance of a laboratory-scale X-ray computed tomography arrangement that is capable of elevated-temperature deformation studies of superalloys to 800 °C and possibly beyond are reported. The system is optimized for acquisition of three-dimensional (3D) backprojection images recorded sequentially during tensile deformation at strain rates between 10−4 and 10−2 s−1, captured in situ. It is used to characterize the evolution of damage—for example, void formation and microcracking—in Nimonic 80A and Inconel 718 superalloys, which are studied as exemplar polycrystalline alloys with lesser and greater ductility, respectively. the results indicate that such damage can be resolved to within 30 to 50 μm. Collection of temporally and spatially resolved data for the damage evolution during deformation is proven. Hence, the processes leading to creep fracture initiation and final rupture can be quantified in a novel way.
The role of crypto-currency in cybercrime
Authors: Higbee Aaron
Published: July 2018

The first crypto-currency appeared in 2009 when Bitcoin was born. Since then, numerous others have entered the market. The market for crypto-currencies has been incredibly volatile and, at its peak in 2017, one bitcoin was worth over $11,200, although it is now suffering from sustained losses in 2018. 1, 2 These peaks and troughs have made crypto-currency value a popular media topic and hackers too have taken notice.

The market for crypto-currencies has been incredibly volatile and these peaks and troughs have made crypto-currency value a popular media topic. Hackers, too, have taken notice.

We have seen a recent sharp rise in crypto-jacking attacks, exploiting the power of victims' computers to mine crypto-currency. And alternative currencies also play a major role in ransomware attacks, being the payment method of choice. The chief defence, says Aaron Higbee of Cofense, is education. Phishing is a key element in these attacks and businesses need to help their employees to spot phishing attacks.
Critical infrastructure: understanding the threat
Authors: Mansfield-Devine Steve
Published: July 2018

With nation state cyber-meddling now an acknowledged problem, there's growing concern about the threats to critical national infrastructure (CNI) – everything from water treatment plants through electricity generation and distribution to air traffic control. The vulnerability of systems that underpin the functioning of society isn't exactly news to security specialists. But now politicians and the general public are waking up to the potential carnage that hackers could wreak. As Scott King, a senior director at Rapid7, explains in this interview, the threats are real, but not necessarily in the way people imagine.

With nation state cyber-meddling now an acknowledged problem, there's growing concern about the threats to critical national infrastructure (CNI).

The vulnerability of the systems that underpin the functioning of society isn't exactly news to security specialists. But now politicians and the general public are waking up to the potential havoc that hackers could wreak. As Scott King of Rapid7 explains in this interview, the threats are real, but not necessarily in the way people imagine.
HIGGS BUNDLES OVER ELLIPTIC CURVES FOR COMPLEX REDUCTIVE GROUPS
Authors: FRANCO EMILIO , GARCIA-PRADA OSCAR , NEWSTEAD P. E.
Published: July 2018

We study Higgs bundles over an elliptic curve with complex reductive structure group, describing the (normalisation of) its moduli spaces and the associated Hitchin fibration. The case of trivial degree is covered by the work of Thaddeus in 2001. Our arguments are different from those of Thaddeus and cover arbitrary degree.
Evaluation of enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot for diagnosis of cysticercosis in swine from North India
Authors: Gupta K.K. , Singh A. , Singh A.K. , Singh S.K. , Tripathi M. , Gupta R.K. , Prasad K.N.
Published: July 2018

Taenia solium cysticercosis is a major public health problem in developing countries. Swine cysticercosis results in economic losses for pig farmers in disease endemic areas. Consumption of cysticercotic pork leads to taeniasis in humans. Eggs excreted in the faeces of T. solium carriers disseminate to humans and pigs through the faecal–oral route, thus maintaining the life cycle in endemic areas. An enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) assay was developed using whole crude T. solium cysticercus antigens (WCA) for the diagnosis of swine cysticercosis. Sera from 30 swine with cysticercosis confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging were subjected to EITB assay. Sera from 50 swine that were raised in a government farm and not allowed to roam freely were included as negative controls. Two or more bands of 8, 11, 14, 24, 26 and 29 kDa were immunoreactive on blot with sera from all infected swine except two, and none from swine raised on the government farm. The overall sensitivity and specificity of EITB assay for diagnosis of swine cysticercosis were 93.3% and 100%, respectively. Hence, EITB assay based on WCA may be a suitable diagnostic tool for swine cysticercosis in endemic areas.
Does candidate nomination in districts increase party votes of small parties? Evidence from the 2016 Taiwan legislative elections
Authors: Wang Ching-Hsing , Weng Dennis Lu-Chung , Wang Vincent Wei-Cheng
Published: July 2018

This study addresses why small parties nominate candidates to run in the district elections and how nomination of district candidates could influence small parties’ share of party votes in Taiwan. Previous studies on party's strategic entry in the mixed electoral system demonstrate the existence of ‘contamination effect’ in various Western democracies. While ‘contamination effect’ suggests that party would gain more proportional representation (PR) seats by increasing its number of candidate nomination in the single-member-district (SMD) races, we contend that small parties should also take the strength of nominated candidates into consideration. Nominating strong candidates in SMD competitions could generate positive ‘spillover effect’ to party's PR tier. By focusing on the 2016 Taiwan legislative election, our findings suggest that first, small parties need to fulfill the institutional requirements in order to qualify for running in the party-list election; second, the ‘contamination effect’ exists in Taiwan, but it is conditional; and finally, candidates’ strength creates positive ‘spillover effect’ on party's proportional seats.
Quenching of expanding outflow in massive star-forming region W75N(B)-VLA 2
Authors: Kim Soon-Wook , Kim Jeong-Sook
Published: July 2018

VLBI observation of masers is a powerful mean to understand the early evolutionary phase of massive star formation. A few different scenarios of outflow evolution in the massive protostars have been proposed, and cannot be readily examined because the precise timing of appropriate maser phenomena is difficult. In particular, it has been a matter of debate whether a well-collimated or a less-collimated outflow comes first in the very early phase of the massive protostellar evolution. Long-term, multi-epoch VLBI monitoring is probably the most important method to trace the outflow evolution. Such a monitoring of a massive star-forming region W75N(B) has been very successful. Since the first detection of the expanding water maser shell associated with the star-forming region VLA 2 of W75N(B) in 1999, the observations in 2005 and 2007 displayed that the expanding water maser shell has been evolved to well-collimated from a less collimated morphology. Observations in 2012 also confirmed such a transition. It would be a major breakthrough in our knowledge of the formation and evolution of the first stages of massive protostars. We performed multi-epoch VLBI observations in mid-2014. On the contrary to its expansion for 13 years, the maser shell at VLA 2 observed in 2014 is comparable to the size observed in 2012. The quenching of the maser shell size indicates that the previously expanding outflow has been decelerated plausibly due to the interaction with surrounding interstellar medium.
Excited OH Masers in Late-Type Stellar Objects
Authors: Strack A. , Araya E. D. , Lebrón M. E. , Minchin R. F. , Arce H. G. , Ghosh T. , Hofner P. , Kurtz S. , Olmi L. , Pihlström Y. , Salter C. J.
Published: July 2018

The final stages of low-mass stellar evolution are characterized by significant mass loss due to stellar pulsations during the AGB phase, which lead to the development of planetary nebulae. Molecular masers of H2O, SiO, and ground state OH transitions are commonly detected in oxygen-rich late-type stars (OH/IR objects). In contrast, excited OH maser transitions are rare. We discuss our study of the carbon-rich pre-planetary nebula CRL618 (a prototypical post-AGB star). Observations conducted in May 2008 with the 305m Arecibo Telescope resulted in the first detection of a 4765MHz OH maser line in a late-type stellar object; the detection was confirmed a few months later also with Arecibo. Subsequent observations in 2015 and 2017 resulted in non-detection of the 4765MHz OH line. Our observations indicate that the 4765MHz OH maser in CRL 618 is highly variable, possibly tracing a short-lived phenomenon during the development of a pre-planetary nebula.
Time-dependent numerical modelling of hydroxyl masers
Authors: Maswanganye J. P. , van der Walt D. J. , Goedhart S.
Published: July 2018

The statistical rate equations are used to model the OH masers to see if they will always have a one-to-one correspondence with the variation of dust temperature. It is concluded that one has to be careful to argue that the masers will always follow the dust temperature variation profile, and it is possible that different maser transitions from the same molecule respond differently to the same dust temperature variations.
A new jet/outflow maser in the nucleus of the Compton-thick AGN IRAS 15480-0344
Authors: Castangia Paola , Tarchi Andrea , Caccianiga Alessandro , Severgnini Paola , Surcis Gabriele , Ceca Roberto Della
Published: July 2018

Investigations of H2O maser galaxies at X-ray energies reveal that most harbor highly absorbed AGN. Possible correlations between the intrinsic X-ray luminosity and the properties of water maser emission have been suggested. With the aim of looking into these correlations on a more solid statistical basis, we have search for maser emission in a well-defined sample of Compton-thick AGN. Here we report the results of the survey, which yielded a surprisingly high maser detection rate, with a particular focus on the newly discovered luminous water maser in the lenticular (field) S0 galaxy IRAS 15480-0344. Recently, VLBI observations have been obtained to image the line and continuum emission in the nucleus of this galaxy. The radio continuum emission at VLBI scales is resolved into two compact components that are interpreted as jet knots. Based on the single-dish profile, the variability of the maser emission, and the position of the maser spots with respect to these continuum sources, we favor of a jet/outflow origin for the maser emission, consistent with similar cases found in other radio-quiet AGN. This scenario is consistent with the hypothesis of the presence of strong nuclear winds recently invoked to explain the main characteristics of field S0 galaxies.
Water maser emission in hard X-ray selected AGN
Authors: Panessa Francesca , Castangia Paola , Tarchi Andrea , Bassani Loredana , Malizia Angela , Bazzano Angela , Ubertini Pietro
Published: July 2018

Water megamaser emission is powerful in tracing the inner region of active nuclei, mapping accretion disks and providing important clues on their absorption properties. From the X-ray spectra of AGN it is possible to estimate the intrinsic power of the central engine and the obscuring column density. The synergy between X-ray and water maser studies allows us to tackle the AGN inner physics from different perspectives. For a complete sample of AGN selected in the 20-40 keV energy range, we have investigated the presence of water maser emission and its connection to the X-ray emission, absorption and accretion rate. The hard X-ray selection of the sample results in a water maser detection rate much higher than those obtained from optically-selected samples.
Perspectives on star formation: the formation of high-mass stars
Authors: Beltrán Maria T.
Published: July 2018

The formation process of high-mass stars has puzzled the astrophysical community for decades from both a theoretical and an observational point of view. Here, we present an overview of the current theories and status of the observational research on this field, outlining the progress achieved in recent years on our knowledge of the initial phases of massive star formation, the fragmentation of cold, infrared-dark clouds, and the evidence for circumstellar accretion disks around OB stars. The role of masers in helping us to understand the mechanism leading to the formation of a high-mass star are also discussed.
Maser Effects in Recombination Lines: the case of Eta Carinae
Authors: Abraham Zulema , Beaklini Pedro P. B. , Falceta-Gonçalves Diego
Published: July 2018

Population of high quantum number states can differ from their LTE values at high densities (Ne ~106− 108cm−3) and temperatures of the order of 104K. In this case, the intensity of recombination lines can be strongly amplified. The amount of amplification depends on density and temperature, and it is different for different quantum numbers, allowing the determination of the physical and kinematic conditions of the emitting region through the observation of recombination lines of different quantum numbers. This was the case of the massive binary system η Carinae. This system was observed with ALMA in the recombination lines H21α, H28α, H30α, H40α and H42α and the continuum at the frequencies of the corresponding lines. The continuum spectrum was characteristic of a compact HII region, becoming optically thin at around 300 GHz. From the intensity and width of the recombination lines we concluded that the not-resolved emission region, assumed spherically symmetric, is a shell of 40 AU radius and 4 AU width, expanding at velocities between 20 and 60 km s−1, with density of 107cm−3and temperature of 17000 K.
6.7 GHz Methanol Masers Observation with Phased Hitachi and Takahagi
Authors: Takefuji Kazuhiro , Sugiyama Koichiro , Yonekura Yoshinori , Saito Tagiru , Fujisawa Kenta , Kondo Tetsuro
Published: July 2018

For the high-sensitivity 6.7 GHz methanol maser observations, we developed a new technology for coherently combining the two signals from the Hitachi 32 m radio telescope and the Takahagi 32 m radio telescope of the Japanese VLBI Network. Furthermore, we compared the SNRs of the 6.7 GHz maser spectra for two methods. One is a VLBI method and the other is the newly developed digital position switching, which is a similar technology to that used in noise-cancelling headphones. We report the phase-up technique and the observation.
A Face-on Accretion System in High Mass Star-Formation: Possible Dusty Infall Streams within 100 Astronomical Unit
Authors: Motogi Kazuhito , Hirota Tomoya , Sorai Kazuo , Yonekura Yoshinori , Sugiyama Koichiro , Honma Mareki , Niinuma Kotaro , Hachisuka Kazuya , Fujisawa Kenta , Walsh Andrew J.
Published: July 2018

We report on interferometric observations of a face-on accretion system around the high mass young stellar object, G353.273+0.641. The innermost accretion system of 100-au radius was resolved in a 45-GHz continuum image taken with the Jansky Very Large Array. Our SED analysis indicated that the continuum could be explained by optically-thick dust emission. 6.7 GHz CH3OH masers associated with the same system were also observed with the Australia Telescope Compact Array. The masers showed a spiral-like, non-axisymmetric distribution with a systematic velocity gradient. The line-of-sight velocity field is explained by an infall motion along a parabolic streamline that falls onto the equatorial plane of the face-on system. The streamline is quasi-radial and reaches the equatorial plane at a radius of 16 au. The physical origin of such a streamline is still an open question and will be constrained by the higher-resolution thermal continuum and line observations with ALMA long baselines.
First Galactic Maser Observations on Ventspils Radio Telescopes – Instrumentation and Data Reduction
Authors: Shmeld Ivar , Aberfelds Artis , Bērziņš Kārlis , Bezrukovs Vladislavs , Bleiders Mārcis , Orbidans Artūrs
Published: July 2018

Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre (VIRAC) has two fully steerable Cassegrean System 32 and 16 m radio telescopes. After renovation and modernization program the Galactic masers, particularly CH3OH research and monitoring program became one of the most important realized on these telescopes. Both telescopes are equipped with broadband cryogenic receivers covering 4.5-8.8 GHz frequency band. Digital backend consisting from DBBC-2 (Digital Base Band Convertor developed by HAT-LAB, Italy) and FLEXBUFF (data storage system based on commercially available server system) is used for data digitalization and registration. A special program complex for spectral line data reduction and correction was developed and implemented.
Maser Theory: Old Problems and New Insights
Authors: Gray M. D.
Published: July 2018

Maser theory continues to be driven by advances in observational techniques. Here, I consider the responses to VLBI with space-Earth baselines and cross-correlation spectroscopy (a re-consideration of coherence properties), routine observation in full-Stokes polarization (a re-casting of the polarization transfer equations), and long-term variability monitoring (3-D modelling of irregular domains).
The bursting variability of 6.7 GHz methanol maser of G33.641-0.228
Authors: Kojima Y. , Fujisawa K. , Motogi K.
Published: July 2018

From 2014 to 2015, we conducted a total of 469 days observation of the 6.7 GHz methanol maser in a star forming region G33.641-0.228, known to be a bursting maser source. As a result, eleven bursts were detected. On MJD 57364, the flux density grew by more than six times w.r.t the day before. Moreover, during the largest burst, the flux density repeatedly increased and decreased rapidly with time-scale as short as 0.24 day. Since these characteristics of the burst are similar to the solar burst, we speculate that the burst of the 6.7 GHz methanol maser in G33.641-0.228 might occur with a similar mechanism of the solar burst.
Variability of Water Masers in W49N: Results from Effelsberg Long-term Monitoring Programme
Authors: Kramer Busaba H. , Menten Karl M. , Kraus Alex
Published: July 2018

We present the results from an ongoing long-term monitoring of the 22 GHz H2O maser in W49N with the 100-m Effelsberg radio telescope from February 2014 to September 2017. The unique Effelsbergs spectral line observation capability provides a broad velocity range coverage from −500 to +500 km s−1 with a spectral resolution better than 0.1 km/s. Following the strong major outburst in W49N in late 2013, we have started a long-term monitoring programme at Effelsberg. The major outburst feature (up to 80,000 Jy at VLSR − 98 km s−1) faded away by June 2014. However, we found that the site is still active with several high velocity outbursts (both blue and redshifted). Some features appear at extremely high velocities (up to ±280 km s−1) and show rapid flux variations within a 1-2 month period. This sub-year scale variability implies that the water masers could be excited by episodic shock propagation caused by a high-velocity protostellar jet.