bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of an indoor guidance system for unmanned aerial vehicles with power industry applications
Authors: Wu Kevin J. , Gregory Thomas Stan , Moore Julian , Hooper Bryan , Lewis Dexter , Tse Zion Tsz Ho
Published: June 2016

Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems are experiencing a period of rapid growth as potential for industrial and commercial applications are arising. Conventional UAV technologies focus on outdoor large area navigation, utilising global positioning system, which has proven to be less effective in enclosed environments. The authors aim to develop an indoor navigation system, specifically for industrial applications which require custom sensing technologies to aid in pilot navigation. A custom sensing array, featuring ultrasonic transceivers, was developed to localise drone position in an enclosed known environment and provide pilot feedback. Six subjects were recruited to pilot the drone with and without the navigation system in an enclosed room to a pre‐set target at a known location in two cases: (i) with a line of sight, and (ii) without line of sight. Flight duration, number of collisions, and distance from target were recorded and used to quantify performance. Using the navigation system, subjects were able to reduce their flight duration on average by 19.7% during an obstructed line of sight, illustrating the increased ability and confidence in piloting the drone using the navigation system. This study serves to prove the potential of this device as an essential tool for indoor drone localisation and commercial inspections.
Distributed collaborative surveillance system based on leader election protocols
Authors: Chang Che‐Cheng , Tsai Jichiang
Published: June 2016

A variety of visual surveillance systems has been developed to satisfy different purposes. However, traditional visual surveillance systems are inflexible and passive, and thus incur significantly high overhead upon recording video information. Therefore, to improve such systems, researchers have been incorporating some special technologies into traditional visual surveillance systems. Doing so makes the advantages of these adopted technologies able to be attached to these systems such that the systems can benefit much from these technologies. In this study, the authors devise a novel visual surveillance system based on a distributed collaborative mechanism among all monitoring cameras. More specifically, the authors utilise the concept of a well‐known distributed application, i.e. leader election, to implement this mechanism. Such a mechanism helps a visual surveillance system with more than one monitoring camera automatically and efficiently assign the proper number of cameras to track a particular object. Hence, upon a moderate number of objects entering the monitoring area, the monitoring cameras will be appointed to each object almost evenly.
Kinetic interpretation of resonance phenomena in low pressure capacitively coupled radio frequency plasmas
Authors: Wilczek Sebastian , Trieschmann Jan , Eremin Denis , Brinkmann Ralf Peter , Schulze Julian , Schuengel Edmund , Derzsi Aranka , Korolov Ihor , Hartmann Peter , Donkó Zoltán , Mussenbrock Thomas
Published: June 2016

Low pressure capacitive radio frequency (RF) plasmas are often described by equivalent circuit models based on fluid approaches that predict the self-excitation of resonances, e.g., high frequency oscillations of the total current in asymmetric discharges, but do not provide a kinetic interpretation of these effects. In fact, they leave important questions open: How is current continuity ensured in the presence of energetic electron beams generated by the expanding sheaths that lead to a local enhancement of the conduction current propagating through the bulk? How do the beam electrons interact with cold bulk electrons? What is the kinetic origin of resonance phenomena? Based on kinetic simulations, we find that the energetic beam electrons interact with cold bulk electrons (modulated on a timescale of the inverse local electron plasma frequency) via a time dependent electric field outside the sheaths. This electric field is caused by the electron beam itself, which leaves behind a positive space charge, that attracts cold bulk electrons towards the expanding sheath. The resulting displacement current ensures current continuity by locally compensating the enhancement of the conduction current. The backflow of cold electrons and their interaction with the nonlinear plasma sheath cause the generation of multiple electron beams during one phase of sheath expansion and contribute to a strongly non-sinusoidal RF current. These kinetic mechanisms are the basis for a fundamental understanding of the electron power absorption dynamics and resonance phenomena in such plasmas, which are found to occur in discharges of different symmetries including perfectly symmetric plasmas.
A parametric study of the linear growth of magnetospheric EMIC waves in a hot plasma
Authors: Wang Qi , Cao Xing , Gu Xudong , Ni Binbin , Zhou Chen , Shi Run , Zhao Zhengyu
Published: June 2016

Since electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves in the terrestrial magnetosphere play a crucial role in the dynamic losses of relativistic electrons and energetic protons and in the ion heating, it is important to pursue a comprehensive understanding of the EMIC wave dispersion relation under realistic circumstances, which can shed significant light on the generation, amplification, and propagation of magnetospheric EMIC waves. The full kinetic linear dispersion relation is implemented in the present study to evaluate the linear growth of EMIC waves in a multi-ion (H+, He+, and O+) magnetospheric plasma that also consists of hot ring current protons. Introduction of anisotropic hot protons strongly modifies the EMIC wave dispersion surface and can result in the simultaneous growth of H+-, He+-, and O+-band EMIC emissions. Our parametric analysis demonstrates that an increase in the hot proton concentration can produce the generation of H+- and He+-band EMIC waves with higher possibility. While the excitation of H+-band emissions requires relatively larger temperature anisotropy of hot protons, He+-band emissions are more likely to be triggered in the plasmasphere or plasmaspheric plume where the background plasma is denser. In addition, the generation of He+-band waves is more sensitive to the variation of proton temperature than H+-band waves. Increase of cold heavy ion (He+ and O+) density increases the H+ cutoff frequency and therefore widens the frequency coverage of the stop band above the He+ gyrofrequency, leading to a significant damping of H+-band EMIC waves. In contrast, O+-band EMIC waves characteristically exhibit the temporal growth much weaker than the other two bands, regardless of all considered variables, suggesting that O+-band emissions occur at a rate much lower than H+- and He+-band emissions, which is consistent with the observations.
The inherent dynamics of isotropic- and nematic-phase liquid crystals
Authors: Frechette Layne , Stratt Richard M.
Published: June 2016

The geodesic (shortest) pathways through the potential energy landscape of a liquid can be thought of as defining what its dynamics would be if thermal noise were removed, revealing what we have called the “inherent dynamics” of the liquid. We show how these inherent paths can be located for a model liquid crystal former, showing, in the process, how the molecular mechanisms of translation and reorientation compare in the isotropic and nematic phases of these systems. These mechanisms turn out to favor the preservation of local orientational order even under macroscopically isotropic conditions (a finding consistent with the experimental observation of pseudonematic domains in these cases), but disfavor the maintenance of macroscopic orientational order, even in the nematic phase. While the most efficient nematic pathways that maintain nematic order are indeed shorter than those that do not, it is apparently difficult for the system to locate these paths, suggesting that molecular motion in liquid-crystal formers is dynamically frustrated, and reinforcing the sense that there are strong analogies between liquid crystals and supercooled liquids.
Ledge-type Co/L1-FePt exchange-coupled composites
Authors: Speliotis Th. , Giannopoulos G. , Niarchos D. , Li W. F. , Hadjipanayis G. , Barucca G. , Agostinelli E. , Laureti S. , Peddis D. , Testa A. M. , Varvaro G.
Published: June 2016

FePt-based exchange-coupled composites consisting of a magnetically hard L10-FePt phase exchange-coupled with a soft ferromagnetic material are promising candidates for future ultra-high density (>1 Tbit/in2) perpendicular magnetic recording media, also being of interest for other applications including spin torque oscillators and micro-electro-mechanical systems, among others. In this paper, the effect of the thickness of a soft Co layer (3 < thCo < 20 nm) on the magnetic behavior of ledge-type fcc(100)-Co/L10(001)-FePt composites deposited on an MgO (100) substrate is systematically studied by combining morpho-structural analyses and angular magnetization measurements. Starting from a film consisting of isolated L10(001)–FePt islands, the ledge-type structure was obtained by depositing a Co layer that either covered the FePt islands or filled-up the inter-island region, gradually forming a continuous layer with increasing Co thickness. A perpendicular anisotropy was maintained up to thCo ∼ 9.5 nm and a significant reduction in the coercivity (about 50% for thCo ∼ 3 nm) with the increase in thCo was observed, indicating that, by coupling hard FePt and soft Co phases in a ledge-type configuration, the writability can be greatly improved. Recoil loops' measurements confirmed the exchange-coupled behavior, reinforcing a potential interest in these systems for future magnetic recording media.
Predissociation measurements of bond dissociation energies: VC, VN, and VS
Authors: Johnson Eric L. , Davis Quincy C. , Morse Michael D.
Published: June 2016

The abrupt onset of predissociation in the congested electronic spectra of jet-cooled VC, VN, and VS has been observed using resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy. It is argued that because of the high density of electronic states in these molecules, the predissociation threshold occurs at the thermochemical threshold for the production of separated atoms in their ground electronic states. As a result, the measured threshold represents the bond dissociation energy. Using this method, bond dissociation energies of D0(V C) = 4.1086(25) eV, D0(V N) = 4.9968(20) eV, and D0(V S) = 4.5353(25) eV are obtained. From these values, enthalpies of formation are derived as Δf,0KH°(V C(g)) = 827.0 ± 8 kJ mol−1, Δf,0KH°(V N(g)) = 500.9 ± 8 kJ mol−1, and Δf,0KH°(V S(g)) = 349.3 ± 8 kJ mol−1. Using a thermochemical cycle and the well-known ionization energies of V, VC, and VN, our results also provide D0(V+–C) = 3.7242(25) eV and D0(V+–N) = 4.6871(20) eV. These values are compared to previous measurements and to computational results. The precision of these bond dissociation energies makes them good candidates for testing computational chemistry methods, particularly those that employ density functional theory.
A resistive magnetodynamics analysis of sawtooth driven tearing modes in tokamak plasmas
Authors: Guo Wenping , Wang Jiaqi , Liu Dongjian , Wang Xiaogang
Published: June 2016

In this paper, a resistive magnetohydrodynamics model is applied to study the effect of sawtooth driven on classical/neoclassical tearing modes in tokamak plasmas. In a model of forced reconnection, the sawtooth is considered as a boundary disturbance for m>1 modes and causes the islands growth of m/n = 2/1 and 3/2 modes through toroidal coupling. Theoretical and numerical analyses show that the linear growth of the modes is driven by precursors of the sawtooth through the linear mode coupling, while differential rotation has great effect on both the linear and the nonlinear development of the modes. It is believed that the tearing mode can be suppressed by control of the sawtooth by radio frequency heating or current drive.
Identification of rhenium donors and sulfur vacancy acceptors in layered MoS2 bulk samples
Authors: Brandão F. D. , Ribeiro G. M. , Vaz P. H. , González J. C. , Krambrock K.
Published: June 2016

MoS2 monolayers, a two-dimensional (2D) direct semiconductor material with an energy gap of 1.9 eV, offer many opportunities to be explored in different electronic devices. Defects often play dominant roles in the electronic and optical properties of semiconductor devices. However, little experimental information about intrinsic and extrinsic defects or impurities is available for this 2D system, and even for macroscopic 3D samples for which MoS2 shows an indirect bandgap of 1.3 eV. In this work, we evaluate the nature of impurities with unpaired spins using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in different geological macroscopic samples. Regarding the fact that monolayers are mostly obtained from natural crystals, we expect that the majority of impurities found in macroscopic samples are also randomly present in MoS2 monolayers. By EPR at low temperatures, rhenium donors and sulfur vacancy acceptors are identified as the main impurities in bulk MoS2 with a corresponding donor concentration of about 108–12 defects/cm2 for MoS2 monolayer. Electrical transport experiments as a function of temperature are in good agreement with the EPR results, revealing a shallow donor state with an ionization energy of 89 meV and a concentration of 7 × 1015 cm−3, which we attribute to rhenium, as well as a second deeper donor state with ionization energy of 241 meV with high concentration of 2 × 1019 cm−3 and net acceptor concentration of 5 × 1018 cm−3 related to sulfur vacancies.
Optical diagnostics with radiation trapping effect in low density and low temperature helium plasma
Authors: Lee Wonwook , Park Kyungdeuk , Kwon Duck-Hee , Oh Cha-Hwan
Published: June 2016

Low density (ne < 1011 cm−3) and low temperature (Te < 10 eV) helium plasma was generated by hot filament discharge. Electron temperature and density of neutral helium plasma were measured by Langmuir probe and were determined by line intensity ratio method using optical emission spectroscopy with population modelings. Simple corona model and collisional-radiative (CR) model without consideration for radiation trapping effect are applied. In addition, CR model taking into account the radiation trapping effect (RTE) is adopted. The change of single line intensity ratio as a function of electron temperature and density were investigated when the RTE is included and excluded. The changes of multi line intensity ratios as a function of electron temperature were scanned for various radiative-excitation rate coefficients from the ground state and the helium gas pressures related with the RTE. Our CR modeling with RTE results in fairly better agreement of the spectroscopic diagnostics for the plasma temperature or density with the Langmuir probe measurements for various helium gas pressures than corona modeling and CR modeling without RTE.
Plasma anisotropy and the radial particle flux in a rippled tokamak
Authors: Hazeltine R. D.
Published: June 2016

We show that an often used relation between the radial particle flux and the divergence of the gyrotropic stress is an algebraic identity, unrelated to momentum conservation. Our calculation is completely general with regard to toroidal geometry and plasma collisionality. The result bears on the role of anisotropy in momentum relaxation and also clarifies certain methodological issues.
Pentanidium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Phase-Transfer Conjugate Addition: Prediction of Stereoselectivity via DFT Calculations and Docking Sampling of Transition States, and Origin of Stereoselectivity
Authors: Kee Choon Wee , Wong Ming Wah
Published: June 2016

Density functional theory (DFT) study, at the M06–2X/6–311+G(d,p)//M06–2X/6–31G(d,p) level, was carried out to examine the catalytic mechanism and origin of stereoselectivity of pentanidium-catalyzed asymmetric phase-transfer conjugate addition. We employed a hybrid approach by combining automated conformation generation through molecular docking followed by subsequent DFT calculation to locate various possible transition states for the enantioselective conjugate addition. The calculated enantioselectivity (enantiomeric excess), based on the key diastereomeric C–C bond-forming transition states, is in good accord with experimental result. Non-covalent interaction analysis of the key transition states reveals extensive non-covalent interactions, including aromatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and non-classical C–H⋯O interactions between the pentanidium catalyst and substrates. The origin of stereoselectivity was analysed using a strain-interaction model.
Down scaling to regional assessment of greenhouse gas emissions to enable consistency in accounting for emissions reduction projects and national inventory accounts for northern beef production in Australia
Authors: Eady Sandra J. , Havard Guillaume , Bray Steven G. , Holmes William , Navarro Javi
Published: June 2016

This paper explores the effect of using regional data for livestock attributes on estimation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the northern beef industry in Australia, compared with using state/territory-wide values, as currently used in Australia’s national GHG inventory report. Regional GHG emissions associated with beef production are reported for 21 defined agricultural statistical regions within state/territory jurisdictions. A management scenario for reduced emissions that could qualify as an Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) project was used to illustrate the effect of regional level model parameters on estimated abatement levels. Using regional parameters, instead of state level parameters, for liveweight (LW), LW gain and proportion of cows lactating and an expanded number of livestock classes, gives a 5.2% reduction in estimated emissions (range +12% to –34% across regions). Estimated GHG emissions intensity (emissions per kilogram of LW sold) varied across the regions by up to 2.5-fold, ranging from 10.5 kg CO2-e kg–1 LW sold for Darling Downs, Queensland, through to 25.8 kg CO2-e kg–1 LW sold for the Pindan and North Kimberley, Western Australia. This range was driven by differences in production efficiency, reproduction rate, growth rate and survival. This suggests that some regions in northern Australia are likely to have substantial opportunities for GHG abatement and higher livestock income. However, this must be coupled with the availability of management activities that can be implemented to improve production efficiency; wet season phosphorus (P) supplementation being one such practice. An ERF case study comparison showed that P supplementation of a typical-sized herd produced an estimated reduction of 622 t CO2-e year–1, or 7%, compared with a non-P supplemented herd. However, the different model parameters used by the National Inventory Report and ERF project means that there was an anomaly between the herd emissions for project cattle excised from the national accounts (13 479 t CO2-e year–1) and the baseline herd emissions estimated for the ERF project (8 896 t CO2-e year–1) before P supplementation was implemented. Regionalising livestock model parameters in both ERF projects and the national accounts offers the attraction of being able to more easily and accurately reflect emissions savings from this type of emissions reduction project in Australia’s national GHG accounts.
How the toughness in metallic glasses depends on topological and chemical heterogeneity
Authors: An Qi , Samwer Konrad , Demetriou Marios D. , Floyd Michael C. , Duggins Danielle O. , Johnson William L. , Goddard William A.
Published: June 2016

Significance

This article reports and explains how the cavitation in metallic glasses is controlled by topological structure as well as chemical heterogeneity. It is shown that in the tough metal–metalloid Pd-Si metallic glass, cavitation initiation is controlled by both chemical separation and particular types of low coordination number (LCN) Pd-centered polyhedra. In contrast, cavitation in the brittle metal-metal Cu-Zr metallic glass is only governed by topological factors. A high-energy barrier to form LCN polyhedra and the process of chemical separation during cavitation initiation are believed to contribute to a higher metallic glass toughness, thereby allowing a larger plastic strain to fracture.
Structure of human Niemann–Pick C1 protein
Authors: Li Xiaochun , Wang Jiawei , Coutavas Elias , Shi Hang , Hao Qi , Blobel Günter
Published: June 2016

Significance

Niemann–Pick C1 protein (NPC1) is a late-endosomal membrane protein required for transport of LDL-derived cholesterol into cells and Ebola virus entry; mutations cause Niemann–Pick type C disease. NPC1 contains a “sterol-sensing domain” (SSD) that also appears in several key regulatory proteins of cholesterol biosynthesis, uptake, and signaling. We present here the crystal structure of a large portion of human NPC1, which reveals the architecture of the SSD, including a cavity that is accessible both vertically to the endosome lumen and laterally to the “luminal” leaflet of the lipid bilayer. We propose that NPC1’s SSD functions in a pocket-relay system for cholesterol transport, the activity of which is regulated by the cholesterol concentration of the adjacent lipid bilayer.
From endurance to power athletes: The changing shape of successful male professional tennis players
Authors: Gale‐Watts Adam S. , Nevill Alan M.
Published: June 2016

The aim of the present study was to identify whether the relative shape and size characteristics of elite male tennis players have changed over time, and in addition whether any anthropometric parameters characterise the more successful players in Grand Slam tournaments. The height and body mass of the players qualifying for the first round in all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments during the period 1982–2011 was obtained, and successful players defined arbitrarily as those reaching round 3 or beyond. Body mass index (BMI) and the reciprocal ponderal index (RPI) were used as our measures of body shape. Multilevel modelling was used to explore the trend over time using non‐linear polynomials. The results suggest that the body shape of elite tennis players has changed over time, with a non‐linear (cubic polynomial regression model) increase in BMI and a similar non‐linear decline in the RPI. BMI, reflecting greater muscle mass rather than greater adiposity, has emerged as an important factor associated with success, identified by a significantly positive (steeper) “successful player”‐by‐“year” interaction term. The evidence that the RPI of elite tennis players has also decreased over time, together with a significantly negative “successful player”‐by‐“year” interaction term, suggests that a more linear (ectomorphic) body shape is a less important factor in terms of success. These results suggest that elite male tennis players are becoming more power trained athletes as opposed to endurance athletes, with greater muscle mass being an important factor associated with success in all Grand Slam tournaments.
Fitness and Individuality in Complex Life Cycles
Authors: Herron Matthew D.
Published: June 2016

Complex life cycles are common in the eukaryotic world, and they complicate the question of how to define individuality. Using a bottom-up, gene-centric approach, I consider the concept of fitness in the context of complex life cycles. I analyze the fitness effects of an allele (or a trait) on different biological units within a complex life history and how these effects drive evolutionary change within populations. Based on these effects, I attempt to construct a concept of fitness that accurately predicts evolutionary change in the context of complex life cycles.
Confronting Variation in the Social and Behavioral Sciences
Authors: Downes Stephen M.
Published: June 2016

I pose problems for the views that human nature should be the object of study in the social and behavioral sciences and that a concept of human nature is needed to guide research in these sciences. I proceed by outlining three research programs in the social sciences, each of which confronts aspects of human variation. Next, I present Elizabeth Cashdan and Grant Ramsey’s related characterizations of human nature. I go on to argue that the research methodologies they each draw on are more productive resources for social scientists than their competing characterizations of human nature.
On the Incompatibility of Dynamical Biological Mechanisms and Causal Graphs
Authors: Weber Marcel
Published: June 2016

I examine to what extent accounts of mechanisms based on formal interventionist theories of causality can adequately represent biological mechanisms with complex dynamics. Using a differential equation model for a circadian clock mechanism as an example, I first show that there exists an iterative solution that can be interpreted as a structural causal model. Thus, in principle, it is possible to integrate causal difference-making information with dynamical information. However, the differential equation model itself lacks the right modularity properties for a full integration. A formal mechanistic model will therefore have to leave out either noncausal or causal explanatory relations.
Measure Theoretic Analysis of Consistency of the Principal Principle
Authors: Rédei Miklós , Gyenis Zalán
Published: June 2016

Weak and strong consistency of the Abstract Principal Principle are defined in terms of classical probability measure spaces. It is proved that the Abstract Principal Principle is both weakly and strongly consistent. The Abstract Principal Principle is strengthened by adding a stability requirement to it. Weak and strong consistency of the resulting Stable Abstract Principal Principle are defined. It is shown that the Stable Abstract Principal Principle is weakly consistent. Strong consistency of the Stable Abstract Principal Principle remains an open question.
Foregrounding the Background
Authors: Longino Helen
Published: June 2016

Practice-centric and theory-centric approaches in philosophy of science are described and contrasted. The contrast is developed through an examination of their different treatments of the underdetermination problem. The practice-centric approach is illustrated by a summary of comparative research on approaches in the biology of behavior. The practice-centric approach is defended against charges that it encourages skepticism regarding the sciences.
Bilateral comparison of 1 V and 10 V standards between the DEFNAT (Tunisia) and the BIPM February to March 2016 (part of the ongoing BIPM key comparison BIPM.EM-K11.a and b)
Authors: Solve S , Chayramy R , Salah B Ben , Mallat A , Abene L , Stock M
Published: June 2016

As part of the ongoing BIPM key comparison BIPM.EM-K11.a and b, a comparison of the 1 V and 10 V voltage reference standards of the BIPM and the Laboratoire de Métrologie Electrique, DEFNAT (Tunisia), was carried out from February to March 2016. Two BIPM Zener diode-based travelling standards (Fluke 732B), BIPM_C (ZC) and BIPM_6 (Z6), were transported by freight to DEFNAT and back to BIPM. In order to keep the Zeners powered during their transportation phase, a BIPM in-house voltage stabiliser was connected in parallel to the internal battery. The voltage stabiliser consists of a set of two batteries, electrically protected from surcharge-discharge, easy to recharge and is designed to power two transfer standards for 10 consecutive days. At DEFNAT, the reference standard for DC voltage is a Josephson Voltage Standard. The output EMF (Electromotive Force) of each travelling standard was measured by direct comparison with the primary standard.

At the BIPM, the travelling standards were calibrated, before and after the measurements at DEFNAT, with the Josephson Voltage Standard. Results of all measurements were corrected for the dependence of the output voltages of the Zener standards on internal temperature and ambient atmospheric pressure.

The final result of the comparison is presented as the difference between the values assigned to DC voltage standards by DEFNAT, at the level of 1.018 V and 10 V, at DEFNAT, U
DEFNAT, and those assigned by the BIPM, at the BIPM, U
BIPM, at the reference date of the 26th of February 2016.

U
DEFNAT - U
BIPM = + 0.07 μV; u
c = 0.04 μV, at 1.018 V

U
DEFNAT - U
BIPM = + 0.38 μV; u
c = 0.10 μV, at 10 V

where u
c is the combined standard uncertainty associated with the measured difference, including the uncertainty of the representation of the volt at the BIPM and at NSAI-NML, based on KJ-90, and the uncertainty related to the comparison.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Bilateral comparison of 10 V standards between the NSAI - NML (Ireland) and the BIPM, February 2016 (part of the ongoing BIPM key comparison BIPM.EM-K11.b)
Authors: Solve S , Chayramy R , Power O , Stock M
Published: June 2016

As part of the ongoing BIPM key comparison BIPM.EM-K11.b, a comparison of the 10 V voltage reference standards of the BIPM and the National Standards Authority of Ireland - National Metrology Laboratory (NSAI - NML), Dublin, Ireland, was carried out in January and February 2016. Two BIPM Zener diode-based travelling standards (Fluke 732B), BIPM_7 (Z7) and BIPM_9 (Z9), were transported by freight to NSAI-NML. At NSAI-NML, the reference standard for DC voltage at the 10 V level consists of a group of characterized Zener diode-based electronic voltage standards. The output EMF (Electromotive Force) of each travelling standard was measured by direct comparison with the group standard.

At the BIPM the travelling standards were calibrated, before and after the measurements at NSAI-NML, with the Josephson Voltage Standard. Results of all measurements were corrected for the dependence of the output voltages of the Zener standards on internal temperature and ambient atmospheric pressure.

The final result of the comparison is presented as the difference between the values assigned to DC voltage standards by NSAI - NML, at the level of 10 V, at NSAI - NML, U
NML, and those assigned by the BIPM, at the BIPM, U
BIPM, at the reference date of the 31 of January 2016.

U
NML - U
BIPM = + 0.22 μV; u
c = 1.35 μV , at 10 V

where u
c is the combined standard uncertainty associated with the measured difference, including the uncertainty of the representation of the volt at the BIPM and at NSAI-NML, based on KJ-90, and the uncertainty related to the comparison.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCEM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Final report on the supplementary comparison, EURAMET.M.P-S7 (EURAMET project 1040) in the pressure range from 1·10−4 Pa to 0.9 Pa
Authors: Wüthrich C , Alisic S , Bergoglio M , Saxholm S , Lefkopoulos A , Pražák D , Setina J
Published: June 2016

Many laboratories within EURAMET started a calibration service in medium and high vacuum recently and did not have the opportunity to take part to a comparison before.

In order to assess the uncertainty budget and the quality of the measurement of these laboratories, an intercomparison, EURAMET 1040 registered as EURAMET.M.P-S7, from 0.1 mPa to 0.9 Pa has been organised. The participants are the CMI (Czech republic), EIM (Greece), IMT (Slovenia), INRIM (Italy), IMBIH (Bosnia Herzegovinia) and MIKES (Finland) while METAS (Switzerland) is pilot laboratory. Three laboratories (INRIM, CMI and METAS) involved in this work have a primary definition of the pressure.

Two spinning rotor gauges and a control electronic are used as transfer standard. The circulation of the transfer standard is organised as a succession of loops with a measurement by the pilot between each participant.

A reference value has been determined based on a weighted mean of the results of the primary laboratories. All the participants have demonstrated their equivalence in the definition of the pressure.

This comparison has been used as pilot comparison for the CCM.P-K14 project which covers the same scope with similar transfer standards.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Receptor tyrosine kinase Met promotes cell survival via kinase-independent maintenance of integrin α3β1
Authors: Tesfay Lia , Schulz Veronique V. , Frank Sander B. , Lamb Laura E. , Miranti Cindy K.
Published: June 2016

Matrix adhesion via integrins is required for cell survival. Adhesion of epithelial cells to laminin via integrin α3β1 was previously shown to activate at least two independent survival pathways. First, integrin α3β1 is required for autophagy-induced cell survival after growth factor deprivation. Second, integrin α3β1 independently activates two receptor tyrosine kinases, EGFR and Met, in the absence of ligands. EGFR signaling to Erk promotes survival independently of autophagy. To determine how Met promotes cell survival, we inhibited Met kinase activity or blocked its expression with RNA interference. Loss of Met expression, but not inhibition of Met kinase activity, induced apoptosis by reducing integrin α3β1 levels, activating anoikis, and blocking autophagy. Met was specifically required for the assembly of autophagosomes downstream of LC3II processing. Reexpression of wild-type Met, kinase-dead Met, or integrin α3 was sufficient to rescue death upon removal of endogenous Met. Integrin α3β1 coprecipitated and colocalized with Met in cells. The extracellular and transmembrane domain of Met was required to fully rescue cell death and restore integrin α3 expression. Thus Met promotes survival of laminin-adherent cells by maintaining integrin α3β1 via a kinase-independent mechanism.
Stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy–based relative localization analysis (STORM-RLA) for quantitative nanoscale assessment of spatial protein organization
Authors: Veeraraghavan Rengasayee , Gourdie Robert G.
Published: June 2016

The spatial association between proteins is crucial to understanding how they function in biological systems. Colocalization analysis of fluorescence microscopy images is widely used to assess this. However, colocalization analysis performed on two-dimensional images with diffraction-limited resolution merely indicates that the proteins are within 200–300 nm of each other in the xy-plane and within 500–700 nm of each other along the z-axis. Here we demonstrate a novel three-dimensional quantitative analysis applicable to single-molecule positional data: stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy–based relative localization analysis (STORM-RLA). This method offers significant advantages: 1) STORM imaging affords 20-nm resolution in the xy-plane and <50 nm along the z-axis; 2) STORM-RLA provides a quantitative assessment of the frequency and degree of overlap between clusters of colabeled proteins; and 3) STORM-RLA also calculates the precise distances between both overlapping and nonoverlapping clusters in three dimensions. Thus STORM-RLA represents a significant advance in the high-throughput quantitative assessment of the spatial organization of proteins.
Delayed Hypoxemia Following Traumatic Brain Injury Exacerbates White Matter Injury
Authors: Parikh Umang , Williams Melissa , Jacobs Addison , Pineda Jose A. , Brody David L. , Friess Stuart H.
Published: June 2016

Hypoxemia immediately following traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been observed to exacerbate injury. However, it remains unclear whether delayed hypoxemia beyond the immediate postinjury period influences white matter injury. In a retrospective clinical cohort of children aged 4–16 years admitted with severe TBI, 28/74 (35%) patients were found to experience delayed normocarbic hypoxemia within 7 days of admission. Based on these clinical findings, we developed a clinically relevant mouse model of TBI with delayed hypoxemia by exposing 5-week old (adolescent) mice to hypoxic conditions for 30 minutes starting 24 hours after moderate controlled cortical impact (CCI). Injured mice with hypoxemia had increased axonal injury using both β-amyloid precursor protein and NF200 immunostaining in peri-contusional white matter compared with CCI alone. Furthermore, we detected increased peri-contusional white matter tissue hypoxia with pimonidazole and augmented astrogliosis with anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein staining in CCI + delayed hypoxemia compared with CCI alone or sham surgery + delayed hypoxemia. Microglial activation as evidenced by Iba1 staining was not significantly altered by delayed hypoxemia. These clinical and experimental data indicate the prevention or amelioration of delayed hypoxemia effects following TBI may provide a unique opportunity for the development of therapeutic interventions to reduce axonal injury and improve clinical outcomes.
Risk Assessment of Drug–Drug Interactions of Calcineurin Inhibitors Affecting Sirolimus Pharmacokinetics in Renal Transplant Patients
Authors: Emoto Chie , Vinks Alexander A. , Fukuda Tsuyoshi
Published: June 2016

Background:

Sirolimus is a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor that is being used to prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant patients often in combination with calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs; cyclosporine and tacrolimus). All 3 drugs are metabolized primarily by CYP3As. Clinical drug–drug interaction (DDI) studies of cyclosporine on sirolimus pharmacokinetics have been reported; however, there are a few clinical DDI data related to tacrolimus.

Methods:

In vitro inhibition assay with sirolimus were conducted using recombinant CYP3As and human microsomes in the presence and absence of CNIs. Sirolimus concentrations were determined by validated high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS) assay. The DDI risk in terms of increase in sirolimus area under the curve (AUC) was evaluated by a mechanistic model using in vitro inhibition data and published pharmacokinetic parameters of CNIs.

Results:

Both CNIs showed similar inhibitory effects on sirolimus metabolism in human liver and intestinal microsomes. Cyclosporine predominantly inhibited CYP3A4 (half maximal inhibitory concentration = 0.71 µM) rather than CYP3A5 (>5 µM), whereas tacrolimus showed similar inhibition for CYP3A4 (0.29 µM) and CYP3A5 (0.41 µM). The predicted increase in AUC of sirolimus during the coadministration of cyclosporine was 3.9-fold, which was comparable to the observed clinical data (3.3-fold) in healthy volunteers. Sirolimus AUC was estimated to a 2.8- to 3.2-fold increase during the coadministration of tacrolimus, based on the reported C
max values and doses of tacrolimus in kidney transplant patients. In addition, exploratory sensitivity analysis indicated that the predicted increase in sirolimus AUC was sensitive to the free fraction of cyclosporine but not to the free fraction of tacrolimus.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that tacrolimus has a lower clinical DDI risk potential affecting sirolimus pharmacokinetics compared with cyclosporine in kidney transplant patients.
The Digital Divide and Patient Portals
Authors: Graetz Ilana , Gordon Nancy , Fung Vick , Hamity Courtnee , Reed Mary E.
Published: June 2016

Background:

Online access to health records and the ability to exchange secure messages with physicians can improve patient engagement and outcomes; however, the digital divide could limit access to web-based portals among disadvantaged groups.

Objectives:

To understand whether sociodemographic differences in patient portal use for secure messaging can be explained by differences in internet access and care preferences.

Research Design:

Cross-sectional survey to examine the association between patient sociodemographic characteristics and internet access and care preferences; then, the association between sociodemographic characteristics and secure message use with and without adjusting for internet access and care preference.

Subjects:

One thousand forty-one patients with chronic conditions in a large integrated health care delivery system (76% response rate).

Measures:

Internet access, portal use for secure messaging, preference for in-person or online care, and sociodemographic and health characteristics.

Results:

Internet access and preference mediated some of the differences in secure message use by age, race, and income. For example, using own computer to access the internet explained 52% of the association between race and secure message use and 60% of the association between income and use (Sobel-Goodman mediation test, P<0.001 for both). Education and sex-related differences in portal use remained statistically significant when controlling for internet access and preference.

Conclusions:

As the availability and use of patient portals increase, it is important to understand which patients have limited access and the barriers they may face. Improving internet access and making portals available across multiple platforms, including mobile, may reduce some disparities in secure message use.
Discrimination and Delayed Health Care Among Transgender Women and Men
Authors: Jaffee Kim D. , Shires Deirdre A. , Stroumsa Daphna
Published: June 2016

Background:

The transgender community experiences health care discrimination and approximately 1 in 4 transgender people were denied equal treatment in health care settings. Discrimination is one of the many factors significantly associated with health care utilization and delayed care.

Objectives:

We assessed factors associated with delayed medical care due to discrimination among transgender patients, and evaluated the relationship between perceived provider knowledge and delayed care using Anderson’s behavioral model of health services utilization.

Research Design:

Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to test whether predisposing, enabling, and health system factors were associated with delaying needed care for transgender women and transgender men.

Subjects:

A sample of 3486 transgender participants who took part in the National Transgender Discrimination Survey in 2008 and 2009.

Measures:

Predisposing, enabling, and health system environment factors, and delayed needed health care.

Results:

Overall, 30.8% of transgender participants delayed or did not seek needed health care due to discrimination. Respondents who had to teach health care providers about transgender people were 4 times more likely to delay needed health care due to discrimination.

Conclusions:

Transgender patients who need to teach their providers about transgender people are significantly more likely to postpone or not seek needed care. Systemic changes in provider education and training, along with health care system adaptations to ensure appropriate, safe, and respectful care, are necessary to close the knowledge and treatment gaps and prevent delayed care with its ensuing long-term health implications.
Engaging Nursing Staff in Research
Authors: Gettrust Lynn , Hagle Mary , Boaz Lesley , Bull Margaret
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

The purpose of this article is to describe the processes of exploring and implementing an academic-clinical study, engaging nursing staff in research, and maintaining their enthusiasm within the context of an academic-clinical research partnership.

Description:

The core competencies of the clinical nurse specialist (CNS) role address evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and research. Studies and exemplars of the CNS role in the literature illustrate expert practitioner and facilitator of evidence-based practice, but less attention is given to methods used by the CNS to engage staff in clinical research.

Outcome:

The CNS was successful in obtaining staff engagement in the research project from exploration through sustainment.

Conclusion:

Collaborative research between academic and clinical partners enhances the educational and professional environment for students and clinicians, promotes evidence-based practice, and from this project may promote Veteran and family-centered care. The CNS played a key role in engaging and sustaining staff commitment, which contributed to the success of this study.
Supporting and Empowering Nurses Undergoing Critical Care Certification
Authors: Beaudoin Geneviève , St-Louis Lyne , Alderson Marie
Published: June 2016

Purpose:

Nurses working in critical care settings face multiple sources of stress, such as complex clinical situations and the use of new advanced technologies, which can affect their psychological health. Literature suggests that the promotion of educational activities, such as a certification process within a specialty, can contribute to nurses’ empowerment, professional growth, and personal satisfaction. However, it is of utmost importance that the institutional organizations support nurses undergoing the certification process to optimize positive impacts of this educational activity on the nurses, on the patients, and within the institutions.

Description of the Project:

In the course of a graduate studies stage, an educational program aiming at supporting and creating an empowering environment for nurses undergoing a critical care certification process was developed and implemented, in a Canadian intensive care unit, over a 7-month period. The Humanist model was used as a theoretical framework and was complemented by the problem-based learning pedagogical approach.

Outcomes:

A postintervention qualitative questionnaire revealed that the program was tailored to nurses’ learning needs and that participants felt supported by their institution throughout the process.

Conclusion:

This program could help institutions support nurses in achieving higher professional and personal development levels through specialty certification.
Pattern of HER-2 Gene Amplification and Protein Expression in Benign, Borderline, and Malignant Ovarian Serous and Mucinous Neoplasms
Authors: Mohammed Rabab A.A. , Makboul Rania , Elsers Dalia A.H. , Elsaba Tarek M.A.M. , Thalab Abeer M.A.B. , Shaaban Omar M.
Published: June 2016

Amplification of HER-2 gene and overexpression of HER-2 receptor play a significant role in the progression of a number of malignancies such as breast cancer. Trastuzumab (anti-HER-2 therapeutic agent) has been used successfully in treatment of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of HER-2 gene amplification and of HER-2 receptor expression in a spectrum of serous and mucinous ovarian tumors to determine whether HER-2 is altered in these neoplasms similar to that occurring in breast cancer. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded microarray tissue sections from 212 specimens were stained with HER-2 antibody using immunohistochemistry and with anti-HER-2 DNA probe using chromogenic in situ hybridization. Specimens consisted of 65 benign tumors (50 serous and 15 mucinous), 26 borderline (13 serous and 13 mucinous), 73 malignant tumors (53 serous carcinoma and 20 mucinous carcinoma), 18 metastatic deposits (13 serous and 5 mucinous), in addition to 30 normal tissues (16 ovarian surface and 14 normal fallopian tube). HER-2 protein–positive expression was not detected in the normal or the benign tissues. Borderline neoplasms showed positive staining, but no overexpression. HER-2 overexpression was seen only in 4 carcinoma specimens: 1/53 (1.8%) primary serous carcinomas and 3/20 (15%) primary mucinous carcinomas. HER-2 gene amplification was seen in 4 specimens: 2 primary mucinous carcinomas and 2 malignant deposits of these 2 mucinous carcinomas. In conclusion, alteration of HER-2 was not detected in ovarian serous neoplasms; however, in mucinous carcinoma, HER-2 amplification and overexpression occur.