bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Pan-STARRS1 Static Sky: A Classical Physics Goldmine for Cosmology, Astrophysics and Atomic Physics
Authors: Obande Ogaba Philip
Published: November 2017

Image of the entire sky, the “Static Sky” recently released to the public by scientists at the Pan-STARRS1 telescope in Hawaii is analyzed. It depicts, for the very first time, nature’s intrinsic wave-particle duality; the horizontal fine-grained darker envelope is nature’s waveform, i.e., the imponderable bosonic cosmic vacuum field, while the brighter coarser-grained vertical envelope belongs to aggregate radiation of visible and invisible particulate matter (fermionic) fields. Earlier investigations were cited to inform that: i) corresponding bosonic field envelope encloses every particulate matter exactly as shown in the Static Sky image; ii) reprocessing the image into a brighter shade reveals the vertical envelope to comprise three bands with diminishing brightness from the center attributed to three ref. frames or universes with common chemical periodicity in line with previous reports on the subject; iii) the visible universe is bifurcated, the effect gives rise to its proximate linear atomic mass growth rate as against logarithmic growth rates in the invisible universes; iv) the two main observational evidences supporting the Big Bang model are faulted on fundamental theoretical grounds which show that: a) cosmological redshift phenomena arise from axial not radial motion, the effect is created by the vacuum field parametric self-interaction Rhow/sigmaw = 8.5114 x 10-19 (m rad/s)-2 whose dimensional analysis yields the superluminal angular velocity vw = 4.709 x 108 m/s; b) the cosmic microwave background CMB radiation is classical zero-point radiation whose temperature easily evaluates from summation of bosonic transverse fields’ energies Ew/J = h w of the chemical elements, Tvac. = ∑_e^Am E_w /k = 3.675 x 10-23J/1.381 x 10-23 J/K = 1. 662 K; v) resolution of the vertical envelope into three bands of diminishing brightness indicates that material composition of the two invisible universes, i.e., “dark matter” is accessible with the techiques employed by the Pan-STARRS’ scientists.
Reviewer acknowledgements for International Journal of English Linguistics, Vol. 7, No. 6
Authors: Xu Diana
Published: November 2017

Reviewer acknowledgements for International Journal of English Linguistics, Vol. 7, No. 6, 2017.
An Application of the "Efficiency Gap" Measure to Redistricting in Oregon
Authors: Southwell Priscilla L.
Published: November 2017

This is a preliminary application of McGhee and Stephanopoulos’s efficiency gap measure to the state of Oregon for elections from 2012-2016. This is one of the measures currently being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Gill v. Whitford gerrymandering case. Our results suggest that the current configuration of U.S, House districts minimizes the impact of a sizeable statewide Republican vote (@41-42%) that results in only 20% of the seats being given to this party. This disparity is less apparent in state senate and house seats, although the Democratic Party was at a distinct disadvantage in 2016 state senate elections. We also note the growing number of uncontested elections since this redistricting plan was first adopted in 2012.
The Ratification and Status of the International Treaties in the Legal System of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Authors: Tabatabaei Seyed Ahmad , Karamzadeh Siamak
Published: November 2017

After the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979, fundamental changes occurred in Iran’s political and legal system. Pursuant the referendum on creating the Islamic Republic in March 1979, the new constitution came into force in the same year and many of the ordinary laws of the country were also reformed. The purpose of this study is to consider the method of ratification of international treaties and the status of these instruments in the legal system of Iran. Firstly, the stages of the ratification of treaties in Iran's legal system have been explained. Secondly, the position of treaties among the other laws is discussed. This study concludes that, the international treaties, like ordinary laws, primarily should be passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly; and after the approval of the Guardian Council, they should be signed by the President. Under the Constitution of Iran all international treaties should all be ratified by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (parliament) and the Guardian Council; however, based on the interpretations of the Guardian Council and the executive procedures, some treaties have been excluded from the ratification of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. International treaties may enjoy a higher position than that of the ordinary law through an objective interpretation, although they have been recognized as ordinary laws by the Article 9 of the Civil Code of Iran.
An Integrated Measurement Framework of City Resilience for Preparedness: A Case Study for Japan
Authors: Ebisudani Maiko , Kishimoto Sayaka , Yamaguchi Haruko , Nakakubo Toyohiko , Tokai Akihiro
Published: November 2017

In order to increase the resilience of cities, there has been substantial effort to improve preparedness for, and response to, unexpected disasters. However, there is no specific measurement framework to address the degree of preparedness of a city. This study proposes the development of such a framework, in three phases: (1) identify multiple risks to a city, using risk perception theory, (2) evaluate and categorize these risks, according to public risk perception, using principal components analysis (PCA), and, (3) following the selection of risks, evaluate the resilience policy structure by counting the number of existing policies and using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). This study was customized for eight representative cities in Japan. Twenty-eight risks were identified and categorized as “Risk anxiety level” and “Preventive controllability”, based on public risk perception. Following the selection of four risks – greenhouse gas generation, energy shortage, ecological destruction, and earthquake – the policy evaluation indicated that earthquakes have the strongest resilience policy structure in all eight cities. This was also reflected in the degree of city preparedness for resilience, which suggested that every city has relatively higher preparedness for earthquakes among the risks. These findings suggest that these cities’ policies are well engaged with public concern. The study provides information that can help policy makers to improve communication with the public to meet well-intentioned policy, to predict public response to potential risks, and to direct educational efforts. Such information can also be helpful in redefining policy approaches to strengthen cities’ and residents’ preparedness for external stresses.
Public Transport in the Gulf Region: Is the Development of a BRT System a Viable Option for Doha?
Authors: Azzali Simona
Published: November 2017

Motorisation is increasing globally, especially in major cities of Asia and the Gulf region. To illustrate, over the last decades, Doha, the capital city of Qatar, has experienced a fast urban growth along with a wide increase in the need for new transportation options. Recently, the Qatari Government has planned to improve Doha’s transport system, by developing projects that include a new metro and light rail scheme. On the other hand, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)’s track record provides a compelling case for more cities to consider it as a transit priority. Within this context, this article critically examines three relevant factors (implementation time, cost effectiveness, and performance) for the successful dissemination of BRTs in relation to the city of Doha. The article argues that the implementation of a BRT scheme is a beneficial and effective alternative to the metro scheme that is under construction in the city.
The Role of Leadership in Supporting the Competence and Achievements of Lecturers Kopertis Region Ix City of Makassar
Authors: Rusydi Muhammad
Published: November 2017

This study purpose to analyze the influence of leadership on the competence and performance of lecturers Kopertis Region IX Sulawesi. The population of this research is Lecturer of Civil Servant who has obtained certification at Private Higher Education in Makassar City with 200 lecturer samples chosen by multistage sampling through accident method by using Structural Equation Model (SEM) technique. The results showed that: (1) leadership had positive and significant influence on lecturer competence, (2) leadership had positive and significant impact of lecturer's performance, (3) capability has a positive and significant effect on the lecturer's performance, and (4 ) leadership had positive and significant impact on lecturer performance through capability .
Heuristic algorithms applied to the problems of servicing actors in supply chains
Authors: Izdebski Mariusz , Jacyna-Gołda Ilona , Markowska Katarzyna , Murawski Jakub
Published: November 2017

The paper discusses main decision problems analysed in the subject matter of servicing actors operating in the supply chains, i.e. the vehicle routing problem, vehicles-to-task assignment problem and the problem of entities’ localization in the supply chain. The input data used to describe supply chains is given as well as the basic constraints and the criterion functions used in the development of mathematical models describing the supply chains. Servicing actors in supply chains is the complex decision making problem. Operators in the supply chains are constrained by: production capacity of the suppliers, the demand of the customers in particular working days, storage capacities of warehouses, handling capacities of warehouses, suppliers’ and warehouses’ time windows and other. The efficiency of supply chain is described by cost of transport between operators, costs of passing cargoes through warehouses and delivery time to the recipient. The heuristic algorithms, like genetic and ant algorithms are detailed and used to identify issues related to the operation of actors operating in the supply chains are described. These algorithms are used for solving localization problems in supply chains, vehicle routing problems, and assignment problems. The complexity of presented issues (TSP is known as NP-hard problem) limits the use of precise algorithms and implies the need to use heuristic algorithms. It should be noted that solutions generated by these algorithms for complex decision instances are sub-optimal solutions, but nonetheless it is accepted from the practical point of view.
Multi-objective evolutionary method for cargo arrangement in a loading space
Authors: Taraska Michał , Iwańkowicz Remigiusz
Published: November 2017

The paper characterises a class of problems for packing boxes in the container. It presents the current state of knowledge in this area and distinguishes evolutionary algorithms, as the most promising in the search for quasi-optimal loading conditions. The method proposed in the paper focuses on certain criteria important from a practical point of view, which in a formalised manner have not been included so far in the solving-problems models. Apart from the traditional consideration of the problem of three-dimensional space loading maximisation, the proposed method considers the deviation of the loaded container weight centre from its symmetry planes and the availability of packages during unloading. New elements in the described method are: the applied criteria, penalty function, way of coding the container loading state in the evolutionary algorithm and fast crossover and mutations operators dedicated to the adopted coding. It was observed that the evolution in the developed algorithm occurs properly, that is seeking to minimise the criteria. The article also includes a calculation example showing the effect of the method with the discussion of the results indicating the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed solution. The performance of the algorithm has been considered in the context of time necessary to obtain the acceptable solution and quality of the obtained solution. It was found that the algorithm in its current form is a strong base for its further improvement.
Development of a statistically-based methodology for analyzing automatic safety treatments at isolated high-speed signalized intersections
Authors: Wojtal Remigiusz M. , Rilett Laurence R.
Published: November 2017

Crashes at isolated rural intersections, particularly those involving vehicles traveling perpendicularly to each other, are especially dangerous due to the high speeds involved. Consequently, transportation agencies are interested in reducing the occurrence of this crash type. Many engineering treatments exist to improve safety at isolated, high-speed, signalized intersections. Intuitively, it is critical to know which safety treatments are the most effective for a given set of selection criteria at a particular intersection. Without a well-defined decision making methodology, it is difficult to decide which safety countermeasure, or set of countermeasures, is the best option. Additionally, because of the large number of possible intersection configurations, traffic volumes, and vehicle types, it would be impossible to develop a set of guidelines that could be applied to all signalized intersections. Therefore, a methodology was developed in in this paper whereby common countermeasures could be modeled and analyzed prior to being implemented in the field. Due to the dynamic and stochastic nature of the problem, the choice was made to employ microsimulation tools, such as VISSIM, to analyze the studied countermeasures. A calibrated and validated microsimulation model of a signalized intersection was used to model two common safety countermeasures. The methodology was demonstrated on a test site located just outside of Lincoln, Nebraska. The model was calibrated to the distribution of observed speeds collected at the test site. It was concluded that the methodology could be used for the preliminary analysis of safety treatments based on select safety and operational measures of effectiveness.
SELECTED COMPONENTS OF SOCIAL CAPITAL IN RURAL AREAS
OF ZACHODNIOPOMORSKIE VOIVODSHIP
Authors: Będzik Beata
Published: November 2017

Given the diversity of development of modern societies, which can not be explained by differences
in access to three, until now key determinants of economic growth, more and more attention began to
devote so. soft factors, which have become determinants of the development potential of economies. Social
capital becomes the main subject of political and scientific discourse explanation generators socio-economic
development in recent years. Social capital remains poorly understood and requires analysis. Studies of social
capital should be done at the local level. This article attempts to present some components of social capital
in the zachodniopomorskie rural areas. Attempt to showed a relatively low level of selected components
of social capital in rural areas of zachodniopomorskie voivodship. This leads to the conclusion that social
capital should develop now in order to secure economic growth in the future. Social capital building should
be a priority now as a long term.
CHANGES IN THE POLISH AGRICULTURAL SOCIAL INSURANCE FUND
IN POST-ACCESSION PERIOD
Authors: Firlej Krzysztof , Kubala Sebastian
Published: November 2017

Article presents the analysis of changes of the Polish Agricultural Social Insurance Fund in post-accession period.
As a trend shows, during the after-accession period, the number of insurance people in the Agricultural Social Insurance
Fund fell down (about 10% from 2005 to 2015). There could be also noted a similar downward trend of relation between
the average monthly gross value of the pension from the agricultural social insurance fund and the average salary in the
national economy. Article includes also results of regression analysis between average expenditure per person in households
of pensioners and the average level of monthly retirement benefits.
ECONOMIC AND PRODUCTION EVALUATION OF TWO METHODS
OF PERMANENT GRASSLAND RENOVATION OF THE USE OF LEGUME-GRASS
MIXTURES IN THE CONDITION OF ORGANIC FARMING
Authors: Gaweł Eliza , Madej Andrzej , Grzelak Mieczysław
Published: November 2017

The aim of the research was compare in the condition of organic farming production and economical evaluation of two
methods of permanent grassland renovation (after ploughing and after surface top shaking of the topsoil to a depth of 5 cm
and statement which of the 3 legumes-grass mixtures would be most useful for restoration of permanent grassland under test
conditions. The studied factors investigated were: 2 ways of permanent grassland renovation use: A – after plowing + harvesting
of mixtures with seed drill, B – after compact harrow. The second factor was the 3 legumes-grass mixtures: Krasula + 3.5 kg/
ha white clover cv. Romena, Cent 4 and the author’s mixture. Renovation of permanent grassland using the simplified method
of the compact harrow (Object B) has produced more produtive and economical effects reasons than full-soil tillage (Object A).
Obtaining similar economic and production evaluation parameters for the comparable bean and grass mixtures indicates their
suitability for restoration of green use under the test conditions. Fertilizer and fuel costs accounted for a total of 84.1-86.9% of
direct costs for feed production.
THE OPINION OF INDIVIDUAL FARMERS ON THE REPLACEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL TAX WITH INCOME TAX FROM AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Authors: Pawlak Joanna , Paszko Dariusz , Wróblewska Wioletta
Published: November 2017

The paper presents the opinion of farmers on the possible changes in the agricultural tax system. Attention was drawn to the expected positive changes and farmers’ concerns following the introduction of income tax in agriculture. The research shows that almost 40% of respondents positively evaluated the above proposal, and about one-third of them claimed that the taxation of agricultural activities will be very unfavourable for farmers. Following the changes, farmers are concerned about complicated tax settlements, penalties for irregularities in settlements and frequent inspections from the tax authorities. Approximately 40% of the respondents felt that any changes will affect the increase of the current tax burden on farms in Poland. 45 and 30% of the respondents, however, predicted that the above change may contribute to an increase in investments and overall development of farms.
O social e o cultural na perspectiva histórico-cultural: tendências conceituais contemporâneas
Authors: Gomes Isadora Dias , Silva Lorena Brito da , Silva Alexsandra Maria Sousa , Pascual Jesus Garcia , Colaço Veriana de Fátima Rodrigues , Ximenes Verônica Morais
Published: November 2017

Este artigo problematiza o uso dos conceitos “social” e “cultural”, apensos à Psicologia, como categorias teóricas centrais para pensar implicações que decorrem dos diversos significados que eles podem assumir nas práticas psicológicas. Trazemos questões que versam sobre a relação desses conceitos na teoria histórico-cultural, já que concepções diferentes têm reverberado historicamente na tessitura da práxis psicológica. É um estudo bibliográfico no qual tratamos do significado que autores contemporâneos atribuem às categorias “social” e “cultural” e tecemos relações entre essas ideias e a construção teórico-metodológica proposta por Vygotsky. Observamos que a ligação entre tais categorias se faz principalmente pela compreensão da dimensão histórica, uma vez que é a história que faz surgir, no social, a construção da cultura. Este estudo se faz relevante por trazer elementos úteis para problematização e compreensão mais consistente dos termos “social” e “cultural” e das práxis a eles associadas.
Making Squares
Authors: Wells Pamela J.
Published: November 2017

Solutions to a previous Solve It problem are discussed, and the procedures used with problem solving are explored.
Making Sense of Cents
Authors: Brooks Lisa A.
Published: November 2017

These strategies and tools can help students make sense of the value of U.S. coins.
Fractions, Number Lines, & Third Graders
Authors: Cramer Kathleen , Ahrendt Sue , Monson Debra , Wyberg Terry , Colum Karen
Published: November 2017

Working with this challenging model helped students in urban classrooms in a large Midwestern city develop robust mathematical understandings.
Derivation and Error Analysis of the Earth Magnetic Anomaly Grid at 2 arc min Resolution Version 3 (EMAG2v3)
Authors: Meyer B. , Chulliat A. , Saltus R.
Published: November 2017

The Earth Magnetic Anomaly Grid at 2 arc min resolution version 3, EMAG2v3, combines marine and airborne trackline observations, satellite data, and magnetic observatory data to map the location, intensity, and extent of lithospheric magnetic anomalies. EMAG2v3 includes over 50 million new data points added to NCEI's Geophysical Database System (GEODAS) in recent years. The new grid relies only on observed data, and does not utilize a priori geologic structure or ocean‐age information. Comparing this grid to other global magnetic anomaly compilations (e.g., EMAG2 and WDMAM), we can see that the inclusion of a priori ocean‐age patterns forces an artificial linear pattern to the grid; the data‐only approach allows for greater complexity in representing the evolution along oceanic spreading ridges and continental margins. EMAG2v3 also makes use of the satellite‐derived lithospheric field model MF7 in order to accurately represent anomalies with wavelengths greater than 300 km and to create smooth grid merging boundaries. The heterogeneous distribution of errors in the observations used in compiling the EMAG2v3 was explored, and is reported in the final distributed grid. This grid is delivered at both 4 km continuous altitude above WGS84, as well as at sea level for all oceanic and coastal regions.
Chemical Mechanisms and Their Applications in the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) Earth System Model
Authors: Nielsen J. Eric , Pawson Steven , Molod Andrea , Auer Benjamin , da Silva Arlindo M. , Douglass Anne R. , Duncan Bryan , Liang Qing , Manyin Michael , Oman Luke D. , Putman William , Strahan Susan E. , Wargan Krzysztof
Published: November 2017

NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) Earth System Model (ESM) is a modular, general circulation model (GCM), and data assimilation system (DAS) that is used to simulate and study the coupled dynamics, physics, chemistry, and biology of our planet. GEOS is developed by the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. It generates near‐real‐time analyzed data products, reanalyses, and weather and seasonal forecasts to support research targeted to understanding interactions among Earth System processes. For chemistry, our efforts are focused on ozone and its influence on the state of the atmosphere and oceans, and on trace gas data assimilation and global forecasting at mesoscale discretization. Several chemistry and aerosol modules are coupled to the GCM, which enables GEOS to address topics pertinent to NASA's Earth Science Mission. This paper describes the atmospheric chemistry components of GEOS and provides an overview of its Earth System Modeling Framework (ESMF)‐based software infrastructure, which promotes a rich spectrum of feedbacks that influence circulation and climate, and impact human and ecosystem health. We detail how GEOS allows model users to select chemical mechanisms and emission scenarios at run time, establish the extent to which the aerosol and chemical components communicate, and decide whether either or both influence the radiative transfer calculations. A variety of resolutions facilitates research on spatial and temporal scales relevant to problems ranging from hourly changes in air quality to trace gas trends in a changing climate. Samples of recent GEOS chemistry applications are provided.
Development and psychometric evaluation of a rapid intimate partner violence perpetration screening tool
Authors: Crane Cory A. , Rice Samara L. , Schlauch Robert C.
Published: November 2017

Current methods of identifying intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration rely upon lengthy screening instruments, partner injury, and legal involvement. There exist no viable, brief screening tools to facilitate the rapid and early identification of IPV perpetration. The development of a brief IPV screening tool would reduce participant burden and compensation in research as well as aid in self‐identification and appropriate consultation for treatment. Three samples were recruited and administered an IPV assessment measure. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to determine a critical subset of items that could be rapidly administered and used to accurately detect physical IPV perpetrators. A set of four items emerged that were capable of differentiating between partner violent and nonviolent participants in Samples 1 (the Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) = .95, SE = .02), 2 (AUC = .98, SE =.01), and 3 (AUC = .94, SE = .04). Internal consistency of the screening items was acceptable across samples and the scores on the screening tool were significantly associated in the expected direction with all assessed risk factors for IPV. Initial evaluation of the rapid IPV perpetration screening tool suggests that it may help satisfy the growing need to quickly determine research eligibility and to help college students self‐identify risk, offering objective data upon which to base the decision for follow‐up consultation.
Social play among juvenile wild Japanese macaques (Macaca fuscata) strengthens their social bonds
Authors: Shimada Masaki , Sueur Cédric
Published: November 2017

Social play and grooming are typical affiliative interactions for many primate species, and are thought to have similar biological functions. However, grooming increases with age, whereas social play decreases. We proposed the hypothesis that both social grooming and social play in juveniles strengthen their social bonds in daily activities. We carried out field research on the social relationships among juvenile wild Japanese macaques in a troop in Kinkazan, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, from fall 2007 to spring 2008 to investigate this hypothesis. We evaluated three relationships among juveniles, play indices (PI), grooming indices (GI), and 3‐m‐proximity indices (3mI) of each dyad (i.e., interacting pair), and compared these social networks based on the matrices of the indices. The play and grooming networks were correlated with the association network throughout the two research periods. The multiple network level measurements of the play network, but not the grooming network, resembled those of the association network. Using a causal step approach, we showed that social play and grooming interactions in fall seem to predict associations in the following spring, controlling for thePIandGImatrix in spring, respectively. Social play and grooming for each juvenile were negatively correlated. The results partially support our predictions; therefore, the hypothesis that the biological function of social play among immature Japanese macaques is to strengthen their social bonds in the near future and develop their social life appears to be correct. For juvenile macaques, social play, rather than grooming, functions as an important social mechanism to strengthen affiliative relationships.
Aspen plus simulation to predict steady state performance of biomass‐CO2 gasification in a fluidized bed gasifier
Authors: Sadhwani Narendra , Adhikari Sushil , Eden Mario R. , Li Pengcheng
Published: November 2017

The use of carbon dioxide as an oxidizing medium for the gasification of biomass has been explored to a limited extent in the literature. In the current study, the output performance of a bench‐scale atmospheric fluidized bed gasifier for biomass‐CO2 gasification was simulated using the Aspen plus simulator. The results from experimental studies conducted to understand the chemistry and kinetics of the process were incorporated in the model using a dynamically linked FORTRAN subr­outine. Different steps of the CO2 gasification process were simulated using a combination of various reactor configurations. Experimental data obtained from varying operating parameters such as CO2/C ratio and temperature were compared with the results from sensitivity analysis performed on the model. To evaluate the validity of the model, parameters such as syngas composition, individual gas yields, and heating value were compared. The results were also compared with the results from a thermodynamic equilibrium model to adjudge the credibility of using a comprehensive CO2 gasification Aspen plus model with kinetics. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Suffering a Loss Is Good Fortune: Myth or Reality?
Authors: Zhao Cui‐Xia , Shen Si‐Chu , Rao Li‐Lin , Zheng Rui , Liu Huan , Li Shu
Published: November 2017

We sometimes decide to take an offered option that results in apparent loss (e.g., unpaid overtime). Mainstream decision theory does not predict or explain this as a choice we want to make, whereas such a choice has long been described and highly regarded by the traditional Chinese dogma “吃亏是福” (suffering a loss is good fortune). To explore what makes the dogma work, we developed a celebrity anecdote‐based scale to measure “Chikui” (suffering a loss) likelihood and found that:(i) people with higher scores on the Chikui Likelihood Scale (CLS) were more likely to report higher scores on subjective well‐being and the Socioeconomic Index for the present and (ii) the current Socioeconomic Index could be positively predicted not only by current CLS scores but also by retrospective CLS scores recalled for the past, and the predictive effect was enhanced with increasing time intervals. Our findings suggest that “suffering a loss is good fortune” is not a myth but a certain reality. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Behavioral Decision Making Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Extremely high‐frequency electromagnetic radiation enhances neutrophil response to particulate agonists
Authors: Vlasova Irina I. , Mikhalchik Elena V. , Gusev Alexandr A. , Balabushevich Nadezhda G. , Gusev Sergey A. , Kazarinov Konstantin D.
Published: November 2017

The growing use of extremely high‐frequency electromagnetic radiation (EHF EMR) in information and communication technology and in biomedical applications has raised concerns regarding the potential biological impact of millimeter waves (MMWs). Here, we elucidated the effects of MMW radiation on neutrophil activation induced by opsonized zymosan or E. coli in whole blood ex vivo. After agonist addition to blood, two samples were prepared. A control sample was incubated at ambient conditions without any treatment, and a test sample was exposed to EHF EMR (32.9–39.6 GHz, 100 W/m2). We used methods that allowed us to assess the functional status of neutrophils immediately after exposure: oxidant production levels were measured by luminol‐dependent chemiluminescence, and morphofunctional changes to neutrophils were observed in blood smears. Results revealed that the response of neutrophils to both agonists was intensified if blood was exposed to MMW radiation for 15 min. Neutrophils were intact in both the control and irradiated samples if no agonist was added to blood before incubation. Similarly, exposing suspensions of isolated neutrophils in plasma to MMW radiation enhanced cell response to both zymosan and E. coli. Heating blood samples was shown to be the primary mechanism underlying enhanced EHF EMR‐induced oxidant production by neutrophils in response to particulate agonists. Bioelectromagnetics. 39:144–155, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mathematical Modeling, Parametric Estimation, and Operational Control for Natural Gas Sweetening Processes
Authors: Selvan K. Karthigai , Panda Rames C.
Published: November 2017

As a result of the increased energy demand and the required environmental compliance, purification of natural gas (NG) need to be processed through more efficient technologies. Most the NG sources contain H2S and CO2 as acidic contaminants causing corrosion, reduction in the calorific value of the fuel, and toxicity. Removal of these gases (gas sweetening) is mostly performed in a reactive absorber followed by a stripper for solvents regeneration. Amine solvents are very suitable due to their natural affinity towards the acid gases. In the setting‐up of newer plants or retrofitting of old units in existing plants to improve the efficiency of the sweetening process, modeling, optimization, and safer operational control of the process have drawn the attention of many researchers. The development of better models must take into account the synthesis and implementation of proper control strategies. Rate‐based, equilibrium, and kinetic models supported by thermodynamic properties of the components have been discussed here and experiments carried out to identify new process models have also been presented.
Dioxin-like contaminants are no longer a risk to the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) in Lake Ontario
Authors: Hoobin Sharilyn J. , Byer Jonathan D. , Alaee Mehran , Brown R. Stephen , Hodson Peter V.
Published: November 2017

The embryotoxicity of extracts of American eels (Anguilla rostrata) was measured to determine whether maternally derived contaminants contribute to the declining recruitment of eels to Lake Ontario. Sexually maturing, large yellow and silver eels were sampled in 2007 and 2008 from 5 locations in eastern Canada, including Lake Ontario; positive controls included eels from the Hudson River, United States, and Canal Dessel-Schoten, Belgium (European eel, Anguilla anguilla). Japanese medaka eggs were injected immediately after fertilization with 1 or 10 nL of eel extract and, after 12 d, scored for signs of toxicity. Eel extracts did not cause dioxin-like embryotoxicity, reflecting the low concentrations of total dioxin equivalents measured chemically in these same extracts. Embryo mortality and reduced hatching success at high doses of eel extracts may reflect the bioaccumulation of legacy or emerging chemicals of concern. The results were consistent with long-term trends of declining concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in tissues of eels and other fish species from Lake Ontario, trends of declining embryotoxicity of eel tissue extracts, and recent increases of recruitment of juvenile eels to Lake Ontario. If dioxin-like compounds contributed in the past to the decline of recruitment and abundance of American eels in Lake Ontario, these data suggest that recruitment should recover, following the same trends as the recovery of lake trout reproduction in Lake Ontario. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1061–1070. © 2017 SETAC
Monitoring Score Change Patterns to Support TOEIC® Listening and Reading Test Quality
Authors: Wei Youhua , Low Albert
Published: November 2017

In most large‐scale programs of tests that aid in making high‐stakes decisions, such as the TOEIC® family of products and service, it is not unusual for a significant portion of test takers to retake the test at multiple times. The study reported here used multilevel growth modeling to explore the score change patterns of nearly 20,000 TOEIC Listening and Reading test takers who repeated the test six times during a 4‐year period. The study revealed that (a) on average, repeaters' scores increased with each subsequent testing; (b) repeaters' score increases were larger for initial retests than for later ones; (c) test takers' educational backgrounds were related to their initial scores but not to their score increases; and (d) test takers' gender was related both to initial scores and to score increases. The results suggest that multilevel growth modeling analysis has potential for evaluating and monitoring test performance across administrations by exploring repeaters' score change patterns over time. The study also provided empirical evidence for the reliability and validity of TOEIC scores.
Why large cells dominate estuarine phytoplankton
Authors: Cloern James E.
Published: November 2017

Surveys across the world oceans have shown that phytoplankton biomass and production are dominated by small cells (picoplankton) where nutrient concentrations are low, but large cells (microplankton) dominate when nutrient‐rich deep water is mixed to the surface. I analyzed phytoplankton size structure in samples collected over 25 yr in San Francisco Bay, a nutrient‐rich estuary. Biomass was dominated by large cells because their biomass selectively grew during blooms. Large‐cell dominance appears to be a characteristic of ecosystems at the land–sea interface, and these places may therefore function as analogs to oceanic upwelling systems. Simulations with a size‐structured NPZ model showed that runs of positive net growth rate persisted long enough for biomass of large, but not small, cells to accumulate. Model experiments showed that small cells would dominate in the absence of grazing, at lower nutrient concentrations, and at elevated (+5°C) temperatures. Underlying these results are two fundamental scaling laws: (1) large cells are grazed more slowly than small cells, and (2) grazing rate increases with temperature faster than growth rate. The model experiments suggest testable hypotheses about phytoplankton size structure at the land–sea interface: (1) anthropogenic nutrient enrichment increases cell size; (2) this response varies with temperature and only occurs at mid‐high latitudes; (3) large‐cell blooms can only develop when temperature is below a critical value, around 15°C; (4) cell size diminishes along temperature gradients from high to low latitudes; and (5) large‐cell blooms will diminish or disappear where planetary warming increases temperature beyond their critical threshold.
Regional patterns of physiological condition determine giant kelp net primary production dynamics
Authors: Bell Tom W. , Reed Daniel C. , Nelson Norman B. , Siegel David A.
Published: November 2017

Photoautotrophs vary the concentration of photosynthetic pigments in response to changing environmental conditions. In the ocean, the chlorophyll a to carbon ratio (Chl:C) has been used as a proxy for the physiological condition of phytoplankton, and there is laboratory evidence that the growth rate of juvenile giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), a coastal foundation species, is positively related to Chl:C under nutrient‐limited conditions. We examined the relative roles of nutrients and light in determining Chl:C dynamics and if fluctuations in Chl:C were related to changes in canopy biomass and net primary production (NPP) from sites spanning 750 km of the California coast. Seventy percent of the variability in canopy Chl:C was explained by a combination of photosynthetically active radiation and seawater nitrate concentration. In the periodically nutrient‐limited waters of the Southern California Bight, changes in Chl:C positively resembled changes in available nitrate, whereas Chl:C negatively tracked changes in light for the more nutrient‐replete central California coastline. Values of Chl:C were positively related to residuals from an autoregressive model of kelp biomass at the southern California sites indicating that Chl:C is a proxy for physiological state of the kelp canopy. NPP estimated through correlations with kelp biomass and lagged Chl:C compared well to established field‐based estimates. These results open the possibility of assessing giant kelp physiological condition from estimates of Chl:C modeled from sea surface irradiance and nitrate concentration, which in turn can be used to estimate giant kelp primary production over large spatial and temporal scales using future remote sensing technologies.
Relationship between the crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene glycol) and stereocomplex crystallization of poly(L‐lactic acid)/poly(D‐lactic acid)
Authors: Luo Chunyan , Yang Minrui , Xiao Wei , Yang Jingjing , Wang Yan , Chen Weixing , Han Xia
Published: November 2017

Poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) is a good biomedical polymer material with wide applications. The addition of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a plasticizer and the formation of stereocomplex crystals (SCs) have been proved to be effective methods for improving the crystallization of PLLA, which will promote its heat resistance. In this work, the crystallization behavior of PEG and PLLA/poly(d‐lactic acid) (PDLA) in PLLA/PDLA/PEG and PEG‐b‐PLLA/PEG‐b‐PDLA blends has been investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy and X‐ray diffraction. Both SCs and homocrystals (HCs) were observed in blends with asymmetric mass ratio of PLLA/PDLA, while exclusively SCs were observed in blends with approximately equal mass ratio of PLLA/PDLA. The crystallization of PEG was only observed for the symmetric blends of PLLA39k/PDLA35k/PEG2k, PLLA39k/PDLA35k/PEG5k, PLLA69k/PDLA96k/PEG5k and PEG‐b‐PLLA31k/PEG‐b‐PDLA27k, where the mass ratio of PLLA/PDLA was approximately 1/1. The results demonstrated that the formation of exclusively SCs would facilitate the crystallization of PEG, while the existence of both HCs and SCs could restrict the crystallization of PEG. The crystallization of PEG is related to the crystallinity of PLLA and PDLA, which will be promoted by the formation of SCs. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
On the validity of complete basis set extrapolation formula optimized for the equilibrium distance applied to the potential energy surface for the correlation energy of the helium dimer
Authors: Sheng Xiaowei , Xu Xian , Huang Shizhong
Published: November 2017

Full configuration interaction calculations are performed for He2 using various orbital basis sets of the aug‐cc‐pVXZ type, with the correlation energies being extrapolated to the complete basis set (CBS) limit. A two‐point CBS extrapolation formula has been utilized for such a purpose. It is shown that the extrapolation formula with the offset parameter k(R) optimized for the equilibrium distance is not uniformly applicable to HeHe distances in the very short region of the potential energy curve. The offset parameter k(R) in the repulsive region of the potential energy curve can be largely different with the one in the long‐range distances especially in the cases of basis‐sets with large cardinality number. It is also noticed that the accuracy of this extrapolation scheme may not be improved with the increasing of the cardinality number.
Warped AdS6 × S2 in Type IIB supergravity III. Global solutions with seven-branes
Authors: D’Hoker Eric , Gutperle Michael , Uhlemann Christoph F.
Published: November 2017

Abstract

We extend our previous construction of global solutions to Type IIB super-gravity that are invariant under the superalgebra F(4) and are realized on a spacetime of the form AdS
6 × S
2 warped over a Riemann surface Σ by allowing the supergravity fields to have non-trivial SL(2, ℝ) monodromy at isolated punctures on Σ. We obtain explicit solutions for the case where Σ is a disc, and the monodromy generators are parabolic elements of SL(2, ℝ) physically corresponding to the monodromy allowed in Type IIB string theory. On the boundary of Σ the solutions exhibit singularities at isolated points which correspond to semi-infinite five-branes, as is familiar from the global solutions without monodromy. In the interior of Σ, the solutions are everywhere regular, except at the punctures where SL(2, ℝ) monodromy resides and which physically correspond to the locations of [p, q] seven-branes. The solutions have a compelling physical interpretation corresponding to fully localized five-brane intersections with additional seven-branes, and provide candidate holographic duals to the five-dimensional superconformal field theories realized on such intersections.
Poisson-saddlepoint approximation for Gibbs point processes with infinite-order interaction: in memory of Peter Hall
Authors: Baddeley Adrian , Nair Gopalan
Published: November 2017

We develop a computational approximation to the intensity of a Gibbs spatial point process having interactions of any order. Limit theorems from stochastic geometry, and small-sample probabilities estimated once and for all by an extensive simulation study, are combined with scaling properties to form an approximation to the moment generating function of the sufficient statistic under a Poisson process. The approximate intensity is obtained as the solution of a self-consistency equation.
Dissociating Pathological Buying From Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms Using Delay Discounting
Authors: Nicolai Jennifer , Moshagen Morten
Published: November 2017

Abstract. Pathological buying (PB) has been associated with elevated impulsivity in personality inventories, yet limited research has considered components of behavioral impulsivity. This study examined the relationship between discounting of delayed rewards, symptoms of PB, comorbid disorders (including obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD), and trait impulsivity. One hundred three participants completed two delay discounting tasks (DDT). In addition to the traditional DDT, a loan variant assessing the preference to receive a certain amount of money immediately when a fixed amount has to be returned after a certain delay was included in this study. Regression analysis revealed that PB symptoms predicted steeper discounting functions in both variants of the DDT over and above the remaining symptom measures and trait impulsivity. In contrast, symptoms of OCD were associated with less delay discounting. With regard to delay discounting, PB seems to be more similar to behavioral addictions than to OCD.
Allosteric nanobodies uncover a role of hippocampal mGlu2 receptor homodimers in contextual fear consolidation
Authors: Scholler Pauline , Nevoltris Damien , de Bundel Dimitri , Bossi Simon , Moreno-Delgado David , Rovira Xavier , Møller Thor C. , El Moustaine Driss , Mathieu Michaël , Blanc Emilie , McLean Heather , Dupuis Elodie , Mathis Gérard , Trinquet Eric , Daniel Hervé , Valjent Emmanuel , Baty Daniel , Chames Patrick , Rondard Philippe , Pin Jean-Philippe
Published: November 2017

Antibodies have enormous therapeutic and biotechnology potential. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the main targets in drug development, are of major interest in antibody development programs. Metabotropic glutamate receptors are dimeric GPCRs that can control synaptic activity in a multitude of ways. Here we identify llama nanobodies that specifically recognize mGlu2 receptors, among the eight subtypes of mGluR subunits. Among these nanobodies, DN10 and 13 are positive allosteric modulators (PAM) on homodimeric mGlu2, while DN10 displays also a significant partial agonist activity. DN10 and DN13 have no effect on mGlu2-3 and mGlu2-4 heterodimers. These PAMs enhance the inhibitory action of the orthosteric mGlu2/mGlu3 agonist, DCG-IV, at mossy fiber terminals in the CA3 region of hippocampal slices. DN13 also impairs contextual fear memory when injected in the CA3 region of hippocampal region. These data highlight the potential of developing antibodies with allosteric actions on GPCRs to better define their roles in vivo.