bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydrophilic Chlorin e6-Poly(amidoamine) Dendrimer Nanoconjugates for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Lee So-Ri , Kim Young-Jin
Published: June 2018

In photodynamic therapy (PDT), chlorin e6 (Ce6), with its high phototoxic potential and strong absorption of visible light, penetrates deeply into photodamaged tissue. However, despite this fact, the direct application of Ce6 to PDT has been limited by its low water solubility and poor cancer cell localization. To ameliorate this situation, we report herein on the use of a hydrophilic nanoconjugate (DC) comprised of Ce6 and poly(amidoamine) dendrimer, which improves the water solubility and intracellular uptake of Ce6, thereby enhancing PDT efficacy. The synthesis of DC was verified by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis, and the coupling ratio of Ce6 introduced onto DC was 2.64. The prepared DC was spherical, with an average diameter of 61.7 ± 3.5 nm. In addition, the characteristic ultraviolet-visible absorption bands of DC in distilled water were similar to those of free Ce6 in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), indicating that the Ce6 chromophore did not change upon conjugation. Investigation using fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal microscopy revealed a greater intracellular uptake of DC than of Ce6 alone. Moreover, DC exhibited significantly increased phototoxicity to human cervical cancer cells, mostly because of apoptotic cell death. These results imply that DC is a candidate for the clinical treatment of PDT.
On the Mechanisms of the Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Diblock and Random Copolymers of Poly(Lactic Acid) and Poly(Trimethylene Carbonate)
Authors: Adamus-Wlodarczyk Agnieszka , Wach Radoslaw , Ulanski Piotr , Rosiak Janusz , Socka Marta , Tsinas Zois , Al-Sheikhly Mohamad
Published: June 2018

This article demonstrates that ionizing radiation induces simultaneous crosslinking and scission in poly(trimethylene carbonate-co-d-lactide) diblock and random copolymers. Copolymer films were electron-beam (EB) irradiated up to 300 kGy under anaerobic conditions and subsequently examined by evaluation of their structure (FT-IR, NMR), molecular weight, intrinsic viscosities, and thermal properties. Radiation chemistry of the copolymers is strongly influenced by the content of ester linkages of the lactide component. At low lactide content, crosslinking reaction is the dominant one; however, as the lactide ratio increases, the ester linkages scission becomes more competent and exceeds the crosslinking. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements indicate that higher content of amorphous carbonate units in copolymers leads to a reduction in free radical yield and faster radical decay as compared to lactide-rich compositions. The domination of scission of ester bonds was confirmed by identifying the radiolytically produced alkoxyl and acetyl radicals, the latter being more stable due to its conjugated structure.
Wound Dressings Based on Chitosan-Dialdehyde Cellulose Nanocrystals-Silver Nanoparticles: Mechanical Strength, Antibacterial Activity and Cytotoxicity
Authors: Dong Feng , Li Shujun
Published: June 2018

The present work envisages a simple approach to synthesize a new wound dressing based on chitosan-dialdehyde cellulose nanocrystal-silver nanoparticles (CS-DCNC-AgNPs). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were generated in-situ by periodate oxidation of cellulose nanocrystals to generate aldehyde functions, which were used to reduce Ag+ into Ag0 in mild alkaline conditions. Subsequently, the dialdehyde cellulose nanocrystal-silver nanoparticles (DCNC-AgNPs) were added to chitosan (CS) to form the wound dressings by solution casting method. The aim was to enhance the antibacterial effect of CS by incorporation of AgNPs and to improve the mechanical strength and hydrophobicity of CS by incorporation of DCNC that cross-linked by hydrogen bonds. The antibacterial activities were evaluated against five gram-negative bacteria, one gram-positive bacteria, and three fungi. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay was performed using the NIH3T3 cell lines by Sulforhodamine B assay. Research outputs signified that CS-DCNC-AgNPs possessed good mechanical strength and hydrophobicity, high antibacterial activity and less cytotoxicity. Our results propose that CS-DCNC-AgNPs can be a promising, safe antibacterial to be incorporated in wound dressings.
Polymer Optical Fiber Bragg Gratings in CYTOP Fibers for Angle Measurement with Dynamic Compensation
Authors: Leal-Junior Arnaldo , Theodosiou Antreas , Díaz Camilo , Marques Carlos , Pontes Maria José , Kalli Kyriacos , Frizera-Neto Anselmo
Published: June 2018

This paper demonstrates the use of polymer optical fiber Bragg gratings (POFBGs) for angle measurements over a range of different oscillatory frequencies. The POFBGs are inscribed in low-loss, cyclic transparent amorphous fluoropolymers (CYTOP) and are imprinted using the direct-write, plane-by-plane femtosecond laser inscription method. As the polymer has a viscoelastic response and given that the Young’s modulus depends on the oscillatory frequency, a compensation technique for sensor frequency cross-sensitivity and hysteresis is proposed and verified. Results show that the proposed compensation technique is able to provide a root mean squared error (RMSE) reduction of 44%, and a RMSE as low as 2.20° was obtained when compared with a reference potentiometer. The hysteresis reduction provided by the proposed technique is 55%, with hysteresis <0.01. The results presented in this paper can pave the way for movement analysis with POFBG providing higher sensitivity and low hysteresis over a large range of motion frequencies.
Finite-Element Investigation of the Structural Behavior of Basalt Fiber Reinforced Polymer (BFRP)- Reinforced Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) Decks Slabs in Thompson Bridge
Authors: Zhou Lingzhu , Zheng Yu , Taylor Susan E.
Published: June 2018

The need for a sustainable development and improved whole life performance of concrete infrastructure has led to the requirement of more durable and sustainable concrete bridges alongside accurate predictive analysis tools. Using the combination of Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC) with industrial by-products and fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP), reinforcement is anticipated to address the concerns of high carbon footprint and corrosion in traditional steel-reinforced concrete structures. This paper presents a numerical investigation of the structural behavior of basalt fiber-reinforced polymer (BFRP)-reinforced SCC deck slabs in a real bridge, named Thompson Bridge, constructed in Northern Ireland, U.K. A non-linear finite element (FE) model is proposed by using ABAQUS 6.10 in this study, which is aimed at extending the previous investigation of the field test in Thompson Bridge. The results of this field test were used to validate the accuracy of the proposed finite element model. The results showed good agreement between the test results and the numerical results; more importantly, the compressive membrane action (CMA) inside the slabs could be well demonstrated by this FE model. Subsequently, a series of parametric studies was conducted to investigate the influence of different parameters on the structural performance of the deck slabs in Thompson Bridge. The results of the analyses are discussed, and conclusions on the behavior of the SCC deck slabs reinforced by BFRP bars are presented.
A Simple Robotic Eye-In-Hand Camera Positioning and Alignment Control Method Based on Parallelogram Features
Authors: Shih Ching-Long , Lee Yi
Published: June 2018

A simple and effective method for camera positioning and alignment control for robotic pick-and-place tasks is described here. A parallelogram feature is encoded into each 3D object or target location. To determine the pose of each part and guide the robot precisely, a camera is mounted on the robot end-flange to determine and measure the location and pose of the part. The robot then adjusts the camera to align it with the located part so that it can be grasped. The overall robot control system follows a continuous look-and-move control strategy. After a position-based coarse alignment, a sequence of image-based fine alignment steps is carried out, and the part is then picked and placed by the robot arm gripper. Experimental results showed an excellent applicability of the proposed approach for pick-and-place tasks, and the overall errors were 1.2 mm for positioning and 1.0° for orientation angle.
The Heterogeneity of Air Temperature in Urban Residential Neighborhoods and Its Relationship with the Surrounding Greenspace
Authors: Qian Yuguo , Zhou Weiqi , Hu Xiaofang , Fu Fan
Published: June 2018

The thermal environment in residential areas is directly related to the living quality of residents. Therefore, it is important to understand thermal heterogeneity and ways to regulate temperature in residential neighborhoods. We investigated the spatial heterogeneity and temporal dynamics of air temperatures in 20 residential neighborhoods within the 5th ring road of Beijing, China. We further explored how the variations in air temperature were related to the patterns of the surrounding greenspace at different scales. We found that: (1) large air temperature differences existed among residential neighborhoods, with hourly maximum differences in air temperature reaching 5.30 °C on hot summer days; (2) not only the percentage but also the spatial configuration (e.g., edge density) of greenspace affected the local air temperature; and (3) the effects of spatial greenspace patterns on air temperature were scale dependent and varied by season. For example, increasing the proportion of greenspace in surrounding areas within a 100-m radius and increasing the edge density within radii from 500 to 1000 m could lower air temperatures in summer but not affect air temperatures in winter. In addition, decreasing the edge density of greenspaces within a 100-m radius of the surrounding areas would lead to an increase in air temperature in winter but not affect the air temperature in summer. These results extend our understanding of thermal environments and their relationships with greenspace patterns at the microscale (i.e., residential neighborhoods). They also provide useful information for urban planners to optimize greenspace patterns under better thermal conditions at the neighborhood scale.
Estimation of Water Level Changes of Large-Scale Amazon Wetlands Using ALOS2 ScanSAR Differential Interferometry
Authors: Cao Ning , Lee Hyongki , Jung Hahn Chul , Yu Hanwen
Published: June 2018

Differential synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry (DInSAR) has been successfully used to estimate water level changes (∂h/∂t) over wetlands and floodplains. Specifically, amongst ALOS PALSAR datasets, the fine-beam stripmap mode has been mostly implemented to estimate ∂h/∂t due to its availability of multitemporal images. However, the fine-beam observation mode provides limited swath coverage to study large floodplains and wetlands, such as the Amazon floodplains. Therefore, for the first time, this paper demonstrates that ALOS2 ScanSAR data can be used to estimate the large-scale ∂h/∂t in Amazon floodplains. The basic procedures and challenges of DInSAR processing with ALOS2 ScanSAR data are addressed and final ∂h/∂t maps are generated based on the Satellite with ARgos and ALtiKa (SARAL) altimetry’s reference data. This study reveals that the local ∂h/∂t patterns of Amazon floodplains are spatially complex with highly interconnected floodplain channels, but the large-scale (with 350 km swath) ∂h/∂t patterns are simply characterized by river water flow directions.
Relation between Convective Rainfall Properties and Antecedent Soil Moisture Heterogeneity Conditions in North Africa
Authors: Petrova Irina Y. , Miralles Diego G. , Van Heerwaarden Chiel C. , Wouters Hendrik
Published: June 2018

Recent observational studies have demonstrated the relevance of soil moisture heterogeneity and the associated thermally-induced circulation on deep convection and rainfall triggering. However, whether this dynamical mechanism further influences rainfall properties—such as rain volume or timing—has yet to be confirmed by observational data. Here, we analyze 10 years of satellite-based sub-daily soil moisture and precipitation records and explore the potential of strong spatial gradients in morning soil moisture to influence the properties of afternoon rainfall in the North African region, at the 100-km scale. We find that the convective rain systems that form over locally drier soils and anomalously strong soil moisture gradients have a tendency to initiate earlier in the afternoon; they also yield lower volumes of rain, weaker intensity and lower spatial variability. The strongest sensitivity to antecedent soil conditions is identified for the timing of the rain onset; it is found to be correlated with the magnitude of the soil moisture gradient. Further analysis shows that the early initiation of rainfall over dry soils and strong surface gradients yet requires the presence of a very moist boundary layer on that day. Our findings agree well with the expected effects of thermally-induced circulation on rainfall properties suggested by theoretical studies and point to the potential of locally drier and heterogeneous soils to influence convective rainfall development. The systematic nature of the identified effect of soil moisture state on the onset time of rainstorms in the region is of particular relevance and may help foster research on rainfall predictability.
Assessment of Irrigation Performance in Large River Basins under Data Scarce Environment—A Case of Kabul River Basin, Afghanistan
Authors: Akhtar Fazlullah , Awan Usman , Tischbein Bernhard , Liaqat Umar
Published: June 2018

The Kabul River basin (KRB) of Afghanistan, a lifeline of around 10 million people, has multiplicity of governance, management, and development-related challenges leading to inequity, inadequacy, and unreliability of irrigation water distribution. Prior to any uplifting intervention, there is a need to evaluate the performance of irrigation system on a long term basis to identify the existing bottlenecks. Although there are several indicators available for the performance evaluation of the irrigation schemes, we used the coefficient of variation (CV) of actual evapotranspiration (ETa) in space (basin, sub-basin, and provincial level), relative evapotranspiration (RET), and temporal CV of RET, to assess the equity, adequacy, and reliability of water distribution, respectively, from 2003 to 2013. The ETa was estimated through a surface energy balance system (SEBS) algorithm and the ETa estimates were validated using the advection aridity (AA) method with a R2 value of 0.81 and 0.77 at Nawabad and Sultanpur stations, respectively. The global land data assimilation system (GLDAS) and moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) products were used as main inputs to the SEBS. Results show that the mean seasonal sub-based RET values during summer (May–September) (0.37 ± 0.06) and winter (October–April) (0.40 ± 0.08) are below the target values (RET ≥ 0.75) during 2003–2013. The CV of the mean ETa, within sub-basins and provinces for the entire study period, has an equitable distribution of water from October–January (0.09 ± 0.04), whereas the highest inequity (0.24 ± 0.08) in water distribution is during early summer. The range of the CV of the mean ETa (0.04–0.06) on a monthly and seasonal basis shows the unreliability of water supplies in several provinces or sub-basins. The analysis of the temporal CV of mean RET highlights the unreliable water supplies across the entire basin. The maximum ETa during the study period was estimated for the Shamal sub-basin (552 ± 43 mm) while among the provinces, Kunar experienced the highest ETa (544 ± 39 mm). This study highlights the dire need for interventions to improve the irrigation performance in time and space. The proposed methodology can be used as a framework for monitoring and implementing water distribution plans in future.
Water Footprint in Supply Chain Management: An Introduction
Authors: Vlachos Dimitrios , Aivazidou Eirini
Published: June 2018

The aim of this Special Issue is to explore water-related risks and challenges, as well as water management opportunities, in the modern globalised production landscape from an end-to-end supply chain perspective. As environmentally sensitive consumers press for water-friendly products, freshwater resources’ preservation has emerged as a major challenge for leading corporations that are incorporating water management initiatives into their social responsibility agendas to foster the sustainability of their supply chain networks. With respect to the scientific community, although research on water footprint assessment is increasing rapidly, the lack of a systemic integration of the water footprint aspect into the whole spectrum of the supply chain operations is evident. In this context, this Special Issue focuses on the investigation of the impact of water stewardship policies on water use and scarcity minimisation, sustainability performance and supply chain configuration.
Sustainability of the Urban Transport System under Changes in Weather and Road Conditions Affecting Vehicle Operation
Authors: Zakharov Dmitriy , Magaril Elena , Rada Elena Cristina
Published: June 2018

The paper suggests a methodological approach for assessing the sustainability of the urban transport system. Parameters were selected for assessing the sustainability of the transport system and significant factors affecting sustainability were determined. Parameters of the sustainability of the system when changes in the weather and road conditions affect vehicle operation were estimated on the basis of the simulation modeling. An integral indicator of sustainability was introduced to evaluate the sustainability of the transport flow management subsystem and the methodological approach to its calculation was substantiated. The results from changing the parameters of the traffic flow were demonstrated in the case of a significant amount of precipitation and the constraints put on the movement of vehicles on the road infrastructure unit due to snow-removal operations and road traffic accidents. Also, the parameters of road traffic under the reconstruction of the main street of regulated traffic into a street of uninterrupted traffic were presented.
Host Long Noncoding RNA lncRNA-PAAN Regulates the Replication of Influenza A Virus
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Yujia , Zhou Rui , Zhao Jianyuan , Zhang Yongxin , Yi Dongrong , Li Quanjie , Zhou Jinming , Guo Fei , Liang Chen , Li Xiaoyu , Cen Shan
Published: June 2018

The productive infection of influenza A virus (IAV) depends on host factors. However, the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in IAV infection remains largely uninvestigated. In this work, we have discovered a human lncRNA, named lncRNA-PAAN (PA-associated noncoding RNA) that enhances IAV replication. The level of lncRNA-PAAN increases upon infection of IAV, but not other viruses, nor interferon treatment, suggesting specific up-regulation of lncRNA-PAAN expression by IAV. Silencing lncRNA-PAAN significantly decreases IAV replication through impairing the activity of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). This function of lncRNA-PAAN is a result of its association with viral PA protein, a key component of IAV RNA polymerase complex. Consequently, depletion of lncRNA-PAAN prevents the formation of functional RdRp. Together, these results suggest that lncRNA-PAAN promotes the assembly of viral RNA polymerase, thus warranting efficient viral RNA synthesis. Elucidating the functions of lncRNAs in IAV infection is expected to advance our understanding of IAV pathogenesis and open new avenues to the development of novel anti-IAV therapeutics.
Recent Glacier Mass Balance and Area Changes from DEMs and Landsat Images in Upper Reach of Shule River Basin, Northeastern Edge of Tibetan Plateau during 2000 to 2015
Authors: Zhang Xiaowen , Li Haojie , Zhang Zhihua , Wu Qianxin , Zhang Shiqiang
Published: June 2018

Glacier changes in the Upper Reach of the Shule River Basin (URSRB) serve as a good indicator of climate change in the western part of the Qilian Mountains, located on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau. However, information on recent glacier changes in the URSRB is limited. In this study, the changes in ice surface elevation were determined using geodetic methods based on digital elevation models (DEMs) derived from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) (2000), and from pairs of Third Resources Satellite (ZY-3) of China (taken around 2013). In addition, glacier area changes from 2000–2015, were derived from Landsat TM/ETM+/OLI images. The results suggest that 478 glaciers with an area of 375.1 ± 2.68 km2 remained in the URSRB in 2015. Ice cover diminished by 57.5 ± 2.68 km2 (11.9 ± 0.60%), or 0.79 ± 0.04% a−1 and 35 small glaciers disappeared from 2000 to 2015 in the URSRB. The most pronounced glacier shrinkage occurred during 2004 to 2009. The average ice surface elevation of the URSRB from 1999 to 2013 reduced by about 4.98 ± 0.6 m, which is equal to a mass loss of 0.383 ± 0.046 m·a−1. This reduction indicates that the ice storage loss has accelerated since 1999, compared to a mass loss of 0.21 ± 0.04 m·a−1 around Tuanjiefeng from 1966 to 1999, as reported by Xu et al. (2013).
Impact of rurality on processes and outcomes in melanoma care: results from a whole-Scotland melanoma cohort in primary and secondary care
Authors: Murchie Peter , Adam Rosalind , Khor Wei L , Raja Edwin A , Iversen Lisa , Brewster David H , Lee Amanda J
Published: June 2018

Background

Those living in rural areas have poorer cancer outcomes, but current evidence on how rurality impacts melanoma care and survival is contradictory.

Aim

To investigate the impact of rurality on setting of melanoma excision and mortality in a whole-nation cohort.

Design and setting

Analysis of linked routine healthcare data comprising every individual in Scotland diagnosed with melanoma, January 2005–December 2013, in primary and secondary care.

Method

Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between rurality and setting of melanoma excision; Cox proportional hazards regression between rurality and mortality was used, with adjustments for key confounders.

Results

In total 9519 patients were included (54.3% [n = 5167] female, mean age 60.2 years [SD 17.5]). Of melanomas where setting of excision was known, 90.3% (n = 8598) were in secondary care and 8.1% (n = 771) in primary care. Odds of primary care excision increased with increasing rurality/remoteness. Compared with those in urban areas, those in the most remote rural locations had almost twice the odds of melanoma excision in primary care (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.33 to 2.77). No significant association was found between urban or rural residency and all-cause mortality. Melanoma-specific mortality was significantly lower in individuals residing in accessible small towns than in large urban areas (adjusted hazards ratio [HR] 0.53; 95% CI = 0.33 to 0.87) with no trend towards poorer survival with increasing rurality.

Conclusion

Patients in Scottish rural locations were more likely to have a melanoma excised in primary care. However, those in rural areas did not have significantly increased mortality from melanoma. Together these findings suggest that current UK melanoma management guidelines could be revised to be more realistic by recognising the role of primary care in the prompt diagnosis and treatment of those in rural locations.
Global Climate and Atmospheric Composition of the Ultra-hot Jupiter WASP-103b from HST and Spitzer Phase Curve Observations
Authors: Kreidberg Laura , Line Michael R. , Parmentier Vivien , Stevenson Kevin B. , Louden Tom , Bonnefoy Mickäel , Faherty Jacqueline K. , Henry Gregory W. , Williamson Michael H. , Stassun Keivan , Beatty Thomas G. , Bean Jacob L. , Fortney Jonathan J. , Showman Adam P. , Désert Jean-Michel , Arcangeli Jacob
Published: June 2018

We present thermal phase curve measurements for the hot Jupiter WASP-103b observed with Hubble/WFC3 and Spitzer/IRAC. The phase curves have large amplitudes and negligible hotspot offsets, indicative of poor heat redistribution to the nightside. We fit the phase variation with a range of climate maps and find that a spherical harmonics model generally provides the best fit. The phase-resolved spectra are consistent with blackbodies in the WFC3 bandpass, with brightness temperatures ranging from 1880 ± 40 K on the nightside to 2930 ± 40 K on the dayside. The dayside spectrum has a significantly higher brightness temperature in the Spitzer bands, likely due to CO emission and a thermal inversion. The inversion is not present on the nightside. We retrieved the atmospheric composition and found that it is moderately metal-enriched (

) and the carbon-to-oxygen ratio is below 0.9 at 3σ confidence. In contrast to cooler hot Jupiters, we do not detect spectral features from water, which we attribute to partial H2O dissociation. We compare the phase curves to 3D general circulation models and find that magnetic drag effects are needed to match the data. We also compare the WASP-103b spectra to brown dwarfs and young, directly imaged companions. We find that these objects have significantly larger water features, indicating that surface gravity and irradiation environment play an important role in shaping the spectra of hot Jupiters. These results highlight the 3D structure of exoplanet atmospheres and illustrate the importance of phase curve observations for understanding their complex chemistry and physics.
Ultraviolet Observations of Coronal Mass Ejection Impact on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko by Rosetta Alice
Authors: Noonan John W. , Stern S. Alan , Feldman Paul D. , Broiles Thomas , Wedlund Cyril Simon , Edberg Niklas J. T. , Schindhelm Rebecca N. , Parker Joel Wm. , Keeney Brian A. , Vervack Jr Ronald J. , Steffl Andrew J. , Knight Matthew M. , Weaver Harold A. , Feaga Lori M. , A’Hearn Michael , Bertaux Jean-Loup
Published: June 2018

The Alice ultraviolet spectrograph on the European Space Agency Rosetta spacecraft observed comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko in its orbit around the Sun for just over two years. Alice observations taken in 2015 October, two months after perihelion, show large increases in the comet’s Lyβ, O i 1304, O i 1356, and C i 1657 Å atomic emission that initially appeared to indicate gaseous outbursts. However, the Rosetta Plasma Consortium instruments showed a coronal mass ejection (CME) impact at the comet coincident with the emission increases, suggesting that the CME impact may have been the cause of the increased emission. The presence of the semi-forbidden O i 1356 Å emission multiplet is indicative of a substantial increase in dissociative electron impact emission from the coma, suggesting a change in the electron population during the CME impact. The increase in dissociative electron impact could be a result of the interaction between the CME and the coma of 67P or an outburst coincident with the arrival of the CME. The observed dissociative electron impact emission during this period is used to characterize the O2 content of the coma at two peaks during the CME arrival. The mechanism that could cause the relationship between the CME and UV emission brightness is not well constrained, but we present several hypotheses to explain the correlation.
The Evolving Radio Photospheres of Long-period Variable Stars
Authors: Matthews L. D. , Reid M. J. , Menten K. M. , Akiyama K.
Published: June 2018

Observations with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array at 46 GHz (λ ≈ 7 mm) have been used to measure the size and shape of the radio photospheres of four long-period variable stars: R Leonis (R Leo), IRC+10216 (CW Leonis), χ Cygni (χ Cyg), and W Hydrae (W Hya). The shapes of the stars range from nearly round to ellipticities of ∼0.15. Comparisons with observations taken several years earlier show that the photospheric parameters (mean diameter, shape, and/or flux density) of each of the stars have changed over time. Evidence for brightness asymmetries and nonuniformities across the radio surfaces is also seen in the visibility domain and in images obtained using a sparse-modeling image reconstruction technique. These trends may be explained as manifestations of large-scale irregular convective flows on the stellar surface, although effects from nonradial pulsations cannot be excluded. Our data also allow a new evaluation of the proper motion of IRC+10216. Our measurement is in agreement with previous values obtained from radio-wavelength measurements, and we find no evidence of statistically significant astrometric perturbations from a binary companion.
Effect of Transport Coefficients on Excitation of Flare-induced Standing Slow-mode Waves in Coronal Loops
Authors: Wang Tongjiang , Ofman Leon , Sun Xudong , Solanki Sami K. , Davila Joseph M.
Published: June 2018

Standing slow-mode waves have been recently observed in flaring loops by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly of the Solar Dynamics Observatory. By means of the coronal seismology technique, transport coefficients in hot (∼10 MK) plasma were determined by Wang et al., revealing that thermal conductivity is nearly suppressed and compressive viscosity is enhanced by more than an order of magnitude. In this study, we use 1D nonlinear MHD simulations to validate the predicted results from the linear theory and investigate the standing slow-mode wave excitation mechanism. We first explore the wave trigger based on the magnetic field extrapolation and flare emission features. Using a flow pulse driven at one footpoint, we simulate the wave excitation in two types of loop models: Model 1 with the classical transport coefficients and Model 2 with the seismology-determined transport coefficients. We find that Model 2 can form the standing wave pattern (within about one period) from initial propagating disturbances much faster than Model 1, in better agreement with the observations. Simulations of the harmonic waves and the Fourier decomposition analysis show that the scaling law between damping time (τ) and wave period (P) follows τ ∝ P
2 in Model 2, while τ ∝ P in Model 1. This indicates that the largely enhanced viscosity efficiently increases the dissipation of higher harmonic components, favoring the quick formation of the fundamental standing mode. Our study suggests that observational constraints on the transport coefficients are important in understanding both the wave excitation and damping mechanisms.
The Projected Dark and Baryonic Ellipsoidal Structure of 20 CLASH Galaxy Clusters*
Authors: Umetsu Keiichi , Sereno Mauro , Tam Sut-Ieng , Chiu I-Non , Fan Zuhui , Ettori Stefano , Gruen Daniel , Okumura Teppei , Medezinski Elinor , Donahue Megan , Meneghetti Massimo , Frye Brenda , Koekemoer Anton , Broadhurst Tom , Zitrin Adi , Balestra Italo , Benítez Narciso , Higuchi Yuichi , Melchior Peter , Mercurio Amata , Merten Julian , Molino Alberto , Nonino Mario , Postman Marc , Rosati Piero , Sayers Jack , Seitz Stella
Published: June 2018

We reconstruct the two-dimensional (2D) matter distributions in 20 high-mass galaxy clusters selected from the CLASH survey by using the new approach of performing a joint weak gravitational lensing analysis of 2D shear and azimuthally averaged magnification measurements. This combination allows for a complete analysis of the field, effectively breaking the mass-sheet degeneracy. In a Bayesian framework, we simultaneously constrain the mass profile and morphology of each individual cluster, assuming an elliptical Navarro–Frenk–White halo characterized by the mass, concentration, projected axis ratio, and position angle (PA) of the projected major axis. We find that spherical mass estimates of the clusters from azimuthally averaged weak-lensing measurements in previous work are in excellent agreement with our results from a full 2D analysis. Combining all 20 clusters in our sample, we detect the elliptical shape of weak-lensing halos at the 5σ significance level within a scale of 2

. The median projected axis ratio is 0.67 ± 0.07 at a virial mass of

, which is in agreement with theoretical predictions from recent numerical simulations of the standard collisionless cold dark matter model. We also study misalignment statistics of the brightest cluster galaxy, X-ray, thermal Sunyaev–Zel’dovich effect, and strong-lensing morphologies with respect to the weak-lensing signal. Among the three baryonic tracers studied here, we find that the X-ray morphology is best aligned with the weak-lensing mass distribution, with a median misalignment angle of

. We also conduct a stacked quadrupole shear analysis of the 20 clusters assuming that the X-ray major axis is aligned with that of the projected mass distribution. This yields a consistent axis ratio of 0.67 ± 0.10, suggesting again a tight alignment between the intracluster gas and dark matter.
Determinants of Military Robotics Proliferation
Authors: Olejníček A. , Odehnal J. , Holcner V. , Krč M.
Published: June 2018

The aim of the article is to define and quantify the determinants influencing the proliferation of robotic technology into the armament of the national armies and their use in combat operations. At the same time, the article focuses on identifying those countries which will deploy and use these advanced military technologies. Based on the literary research and its analysis, four categories of factors have been identified as the ones having influence on the military robotics proliferation. From the results of the classification model, it is clear that 78 analysed countries were classified on the basis of defined determinants into three groups with different assumptions of proliferation of military robotics. Based on the result of the cluster analysis, it is evident that military robotics proliferation was mainly affected by economic determinants in cluster 1, by security and political determinants in cluster 2 and by political and economic determinants in cluster 3.
Evolution of Flight Data Recorders
Authors: Dub M. , Parizek J.
Published: June 2018

A flight recorder, commonly known as a black box, is considered the most important witness in the investigation of air accidents. Flight recorders have been considered important parts of onboard equipment for both military and civilian aircraft all over the world already from 1950s. They are used not only for flight evaluation after an unexpected event, but also for a pilot training, pilot skills assessment, diagnostics of on-board systems, and evaluation of aircraft systems as a whole. Thus, these flight recorders contribute to high aircraft reliability and aviation operation safety. This article focuses on Automatic Deployable Flight Recorders (ADFR), currently not often used in the military or civilian aircraft. ADFRs are mainly used for aircraft that fly over vast water areas as classic concept recorders were hard to find when the aircraft crashed into water. This deployable recorder is a reliable flight safety system used e.g. in US Navy F/A-18 multirole combat jets. In addition, creation of this article was inspired by the change in ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices for Operation of Aircraft, implemented in July 2016 in the tenth edition of ICAO Annex 6.
Macrocheles kekensis sp. n., a new macrochelid mite associated with a centoniin beetle from Hungary (Acari, Mesostigmata)
Authors: Kontschán Jenő
Published: June 2018

A new species,Macrocheleskekensissp. n., is described based from three specimens associated with a cetoniin beetle (HopliahungaricaBurmeister, 1844). The new species differs from the other known European macrochelid species in having 29 pairs of dorsal setae, j1 and z1 short and robust, other dorsal setae long and pilose, and the absence of apodemes between the genital and ventrianal shields. This is the 34thHungarian macrochelid species.
Patient Satisfaction With Nonopioid Pain Management Following Knee Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy and/or Chondroplasty
Authors: Carrier Charles S. , Garvey Kirsten D. , Brook Emily M. , Matzkin Elizabeth G.
Published: June 2018

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of nonopioid pain management following arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and/or chondroplasty and to assess patients' attitudes regarding their need for opioid pain medication following these procedures. Patients who underwent a knee arthroscopy procedure for either partial meniscectomy and/or chondroplasty from July 2016 to January 2017 by a single surgeon at a single institution were included. Medical records were reviewed, and demographics were recorded. Two weeks postoperatively, patients self-reported opioid and nonopioid medication use. Patients were also questioned regarding their perceived need for opioid medication, whether they felt their pain was adequately controlled, and how their pain compared with their preoperative expectations. Thirty-four patients (17 male, 17 female), with a mean age at the time of surgery of 47.79 years (range, 19–68 years), were included. Eighty-two percent (n=28) of the patients reported using nonopioid analgesics for pain control, whereas 18% (n=6) reported using opioids. Of those not using opioids, 96.4% (n=27) reported not feeling the need for opioid medications. Three of 6 patients requiring opioids were unable to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. All 6 patients who took opioids felt that they needed them for adequate pain control. This study provides initial encouragement that it is largely possible to remove opioids from the postoperative pain regimen of knee arthroscopy patients and maintain adequate pain control and patient satisfaction. [
Orthopedics
. 2018; 41(4):209–214.]
Modelo para la ordenación paisajística del espacio periurbano
Authors: Gómez Villarino M. , Gómez Villarino T.
Published: June 2018

Se presenta un modelo metodológico para analizar, interpretar y planificar el paisaje del espacio periurbano, fruto de la investigación aplicada que vienen desarrollando los autores sobre diversos espacios; aquí se describe el último de ellos.

Su interés estriba en la importancia creciente del periurbano, y en el déficit metodológico del estudio de su paisaje, en contraste con la abundancia en territorios supraurbanos.

El modelo estructura de forma coherente y comprensiva, conceptos paisajísticos diferentes, en tres niveles y un doble carácter: conceptual y metodológico; conceptualmente los niveles corresponden a tres grados de aproximación al conocimiento del paisaje: descriptivo, interpretativo y propositivo; y metodológicamente, a las tres fases de formulación de un plan: análisis, diagnóstico y propuestas. Además considera las facetas rural y urbana conformadoras del periurbano y las dos áreas de atención que requiere el paisaje: la base paisajística y la percepción.
Effects of Transmucosal Thyroxine Administration on the Tooth Movement in an Animal Model
Authors: Jung Woo-Young , Ahn Seong-Jin , Oh Seung-Wook , Kim Kyung-A , Park Ki-Ho , Park Young-Guk
Published: June 2018

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of transmucosal administration of thyroxine on the tooth movement and osteoclastic activity in Beagle dogs.

Materials and Methods

Eight Beagles were randomly divided into control group (n = 4) and thyroxine group (4-week group, n = 2 and 8-week group, n = 2). Buttons were bonded on the labial surfaces of the second premolar and anchorage teeth. Nickel-titanium closed-coil springs were connected. In the thyroxine group, thyroxine tablets were bonded to the hooks attached to the second premolar.

Results

The mean rate of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in the thyroxine group was slightly higher than that in the control group. Microscopic evaluation showed that the number of osteoclasts in the thyroxine group significantly increased.

Conclusion

The protocol for transmucosal administration of thyroxine could not significantly accelerate OTM. An increase in the number of osteoclasts was observed through microscopic evaluation during the 4th week.
Source apportionment of organic aerosol from 2-year highly time-resolved measurements by an aerosol chemical speciation monitor in Beijing, China
Authors: Sun Yele , Xu Weiqi , Zhang Qi , Jiang Qi , Canonaco Francesco , Prévôt André S. H. , Fu Pingqing , Li Jie , Jayne John , Worsnop Douglas R. , Wang Zifa
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Organic aerosol (OA) represents a large fraction of submicron aerosols in the
megacity of Beijing, yet long-term characterization of its sources and
variations is very limited. Here we present an analysis of in situ
measurements of OA in submicrometer particles with an aerosol chemical
speciation monitor (ACSM) for 2 years from July 2011 to May 2013. The sources
of OA are analyzed with a multilinear engine (ME-2) by constraining three
primary OA factors including fossil-fuel-related OA (FFOA), cooking OA (COA),
and biomass burning OA (BBOA). Two secondary OAs (SOA), representing a less
oxidized oxygenated OA (LO-OOA) and a more oxidized (MO-OOA), are identified
during all seasons. The monthly average concentration OA varied from 13.6 to
46.7 µg m−3 with a strong seasonal pattern that is usually
highest in winter and lowest in summer. FFOA and BBOA show similarly
pronounced seasonal variations with much higher concentrations and
contributions in winter due to enhanced coal combustion and biomass burning
emissions. The contribution of COA to OA, however, is relatively stable
(10–15 %) across different seasons, yet presents significantly higher
values at low relative humidity levels (RH < 30 %),
highlighting the important role of COA during clean periods. The two SOA
factors present very different seasonal variations. The pronounced
enhancement of LO-OOA concentrations in winter indicates that emissions from
combustion-related primary emissions could be a considerable source of SOA
under low-temperature (T) conditions. Comparatively, MO-OOA shows high
concentrations consistently at high RH levels across different T levels,
and the contribution of MO-OOA to OA is different seasonally with lower
values occurring more in winter (30–34 %) than other seasons
(47–64 %). Overall, SOA (= LO-OOA + MO-OOA) dominates OA
composition during all seasons by contributing 52–64 % of the total OA
mass in the heating season and 65–75 % in non-heating seasons. The
variations in OA composition as a function of OA mass loading further
illustrate the dominant role of SOA in OA across different mass loading
scenarios during all seasons. However, we also observed a large increase in
FFOA associated with a corresponding decrease in MO-OOA during periods with
high OA mass loadings in the heating season, illustrating an enhanced role of
coal combustion emissions during highly polluted episodes. Potential source
contribution function analysis further shows that the transport from the
regions located to the south and southwest of Beijing within ∼ 250 km
can contribute substantially to high FFOA and BBOA concentrations in the
heating season.
Detection and variability of combustion-derived vapor in an urban basin
Authors: Fiorella Richard P. , Bares Ryan , Lin John C. , Ehleringer James R. , Bowen Gabriel J.
Published: June 2018

Abstract. Water emitted during combustion may comprise a significant portion of ambient humidity (>  10 %) in urban areas, where combustion emissions are strongly focused in space and time. Stable water vapor isotopes can be used to apportion measured humidity values between atmospherically transported and combustion-derived water vapor, as combustion-derived vapor possesses an unusually negative deuterium excess value (d-excess, d  =  δ2H − 8δ18O). We investigated the relationship between the d-excess of atmospheric vapor, ambient CO2 concentrations, and atmospheric stability across four winters in Salt Lake City, Utah. We found a robust inverse relationship between CO2 excess above background and d-excess on sub-diurnal to seasonal timescales, which was most prominent during periods of strong atmospheric stability that occur during Salt Lake City winter. Using a Keeling-style mixing model approach, and assuming a molar ratio of H2O to CO2 in emissions of 1.5, we estimated the d-excess of combustion-derived vapor in Salt Lake City to be −179 ± 17 ‰, consistent with the upper limit of theoretical estimates. Based on this estimate, we calculate that vapor from fossil fuel combustion often represents 5–10 % of total urban humidity, with a maximum estimate of 16.7 %, consistent with prior estimates for Salt Lake City. Moreover, our analysis highlights that changes in the observed d-excess during periods of high atmospheric stability cannot be explained without a vapor source possessing a strongly negative d-excess value. Further refinements in this humidity apportionment method, most notably empirical validation of the d-excess of combustion vapor or improvements in the estimation of the background d-excess value in the absence of combustion, can yield more certain estimates of the impacts of fossil fuel combustion on urban humidity and meteorology.
Magnetic signatures of natural and anthropogenic sources of urban
dust aerosol
Authors: Liu Haijiao , Yan Yan , Chang Hong , Chen Hongyun , Liang Lianji , Liu Xingxing , Qiang Xiaoke , Sun Youbin
Published: June 2018

Abstract. The characteristics of urban dust aerosols and the contributions of their natural and anthropogenic sources are of scientific interest as well as being of substantial sociopolitical and economic concern. Here we present the results of a comprehensive study of dust flux and magnetic signatures, including magnetic susceptibility (χ) and the morphology and elemental composition of magnetic particulates, of atmospheric dustfall originating from natural dust sources in East Asia and local anthropogenic sources in Xi'an, China. The results reveal a significant inverse relationship, on a seasonal basis, between variations in dust flux and χ. By comparing χ records of desert surface sediments and local polluted dust, the relative contributions of natural and anthropogenic sources can be estimated for the urban atmospheric dustfall. Analysis using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) combined with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) indicates that magnetic particulates from different sources have distinctive morphological and elemental characteristics. Detrital magnetic particles originating from natural sources are characterized by relatively smooth surfaces with Fe and O as the major elements and a minor contribution from Ti. The anthropogenic particles have angular, spherule, aggregate, and porous shapes with distinctive contributions from marker elements, including S, Cr, Cu, Zn, Ni, Mn and Ca. Our results demonstrate that this multidisciplinary approach is effective in distinguishing dust derived from distant natural sources and local anthropogenic sources, and for quantitative assessment of the contributions of the two end-members.