bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of Risk Analysis for Water Security Assessment
Authors: Jabari Samah , Shahrour Isam , khatabi Jamal
Published: October 2019

This paper presents analysis of water security using risk analysis. It contributes to an enhanced understanding of the water security issue through creating indicators and their use in the determination of the water security level. The paper presents first the methodology followed in this research, which includes three steps: identification of water risk drivers, the determination of their severity and likelihood and finally the calculation of the water security score. The paper presents the first step of the application of this methodology to Palestinian territory through the identification of the drivers of the water risk and the levels of both the severity and likelihood to be used in future water security assessment.
Progress on the exploitation of urban underground space (UUS) in China
Authors: Liu Jie , Zeng Ling , Bian Hanbing
Published: October 2019

With the rapid urbanization in China, the disasters and the problems related with the urban underground space (UUS) exploitation increase. As an inevitable choice for sustainable urban development, how to increase the efficiency of the underground space use and augment the resilience of the UUS are the main challenges today in China. In this study, the strategic demands of the sustainable urban development on the underground space exploitation in Chinese cities have been analyzed and discussed. The associated problems and difficulties on the underground space exploitation were discussed. Moreover, the possible solutions were also proposed.
Disturbance effect analysis of pipe jacking construction based on failure approach index
Authors: Liu Geng , Yang Zhengchun , Yao Huayan , Zhang Zhenhua , Wang Jingfeng
Published: October 2019

In order to evaluate the influence of pipe jacking construction process on ground subsidence and surrounding buildings, the numerical simulation of the construction process was carried out by FLAC3D, and the failure approach index (FAI) of the rock and soil around the pipeline was calculated to describe quantitatively their risk and damage state. The numerical results show that the final settlements of the buildings around the pipeline are less than the buildings' safety control values. The rock or soil mass within 0.8 times of the pipe diameter are in the excavation damage zone and disturbance zone (0.8≤FAI≤1.3), while outside 0.8 times of the pipe diameter are basically undisturbed (FAI≤0.8).
Chromosomes synthétiques
Authors: Baby Vincent , Labroussaa Fabien , Lartigue Carole , Rodrigue Sébastien
Published: October 2019

Depuis les dix dernières années, les techniques de synthèse et d’assemblage d’ADN se sont grandement améliorées. La construction de molécules d’ADN synthétiques devient maintenant beaucoup plus simple et abordable de sorte qu’il est possible de reconstruire des chromosomes synthétiques complets. Nous assistons donc aux débuts de la génomique synthétique, qui vise la construction de génomes conçus sur mesure pour l’étude et l’utilisation de systèmes biologiques. De la synthèse des premiers génomes viraux jusqu’à la reconstruction des seize chromosomes de la levure, en passant par la première cellule bactérienne contrôlée par un génome entièrement synthétique, nous discutons des découvertes majeures, des aspects réglementaires et éthiques ainsi que du potentiel de cette nouvelle discipline pour le futur.
La transplantation de génomes
Authors: Labroussaa Fabien , Baby Vincent , Rodrigue Sébastien , Lartigue Carole
Published: October 2019

Le développement de la génomique synthétique (GS) a permis l’élaboration d’outils et de méthodes innovantes permettant la synthèse, l’assemblage et la modification génétique précise de chromosomes bactériens complets. La raison principale de ce succès, ayant abouti à la création de la première cellule synthétique quasi-minimale JCVI-syn3.0, est l’utilisation de la levure Saccharomyces cerevisiae comme hôte temporaire d’accueil et de modification de ces génomes. Cependant, une autre technique a joué un rôle considérable dans le succès retentissant de ces travaux : la transplantation de génomes bactériens (TG). Cette technique, encore mal comprise, permet d’installer des génomes complets naturels ou synthétiques dans un contexte cellulaire favorable à leur expression et donner la vie. Une meilleure compréhension du processus de TG permettrait d’élargir l’ensemble des techniques de GS, appliquées actuellement quasi exclusivement à l’étude des mycoplasmes, à de nombreuses autres bactéries d’intérêt, y compris des bactéries génétiquement non-modifiables à ce jour.
Les cellules souches pluripotentes dans le traitement de l’insuffisance cardiaque
Authors: Desgres Manon , Menasché Philippe
Published: October 2019

Bien que les premiers essais de thérapie cellulaire dans l’insuffisance cardiaque se soient soldés pour la plupart par une absence d’améliorations cliniquement pertinentes, des signaux encourageants ont commencé à émerger, signaux qui suggèrent que les cellules souches, ou leurs produits de sécrétion, pourraient finalement trouver leur place dans l’arsenal des traitements proposables aux patients atteints d’insuffisance cardiaque. Dans ce cadre, les cellules souches pluripotentes suscitent un intérêt particulier en raison de leur capacité unique à donner naissance à des cellules spécifiques d’un lignage donné et transplantables au stade de différenciation souhaité. Cette revue discute l’état actuel de la recherche dans ce domaine, les problèmes qui restent à résoudre et les approches susceptibles d’accélérer les applications cliniques de ce type cellulaire.
Auge, blick mal – Störungen der Augenmotorik
Authors: Lotter Karin
Published: October 2019

Bei Patienten mit neurologischen Krankheiten begegnen Physiotherapeuten häufig Störungen der Augenmotorik. Diese können jedoch auch zervikogene oder vestibuläre Ursachen haben. Das bekannteste Symptom ist der Nystagmus. Um ihn, das okulomotorische System und die Tests zur Augenmotorik zu verstehen, hilft es, Zusammenhänge zu erkennen. Der Artikel bietet einen Blick in das visuelle System.
Konzerte mit Nebenwirkung – Fallbeispiel: Sängerin mit Mundöffnungsstörung
Authors: Hoffmann Marisa , Vorwerk Anne
Published: October 2019

Charlotte Bauer ist Konzertsängerin und Gesangspädagogin und hat seit drei Jahren Blockaden im Kiefergelenk. In großer Sorge um ihre Existenz sucht sie Hilfe bei Physiotherapeutin und Kieferexpertin Marisa Hoffmann. Der wird schnell klar, dass hinter den Beschwerden mehr stecken muss.
Nachweis der Kastration weiblicher Katzen durch LH-Schnelltest
Authors: Betz Daniela Simon
Published: October 2019

Morrow LD, Gruffydd-Jones TJ, Skillings E et al. Field study assessing the performance of a patient-side blood test to determine neuter status in female cast based on detection of luteinizing hormone. J Fel Med Surg 2019; 21 (6): 553–558.

Der derzeitige Goldstandard zur Klärung eines unbekannten Kastrationsstatus weiblicher Katzen ist die explorative Laparotomie, ein invasives, kostenintensives und mit Morbidität für das Tier verbundenes Verfahren. Die Suche nach einer Operationsnarbe im Bereich des Nabels oder der Flanke birgt Unsicherheiten und das Risiko einer Fehlinterpretation. Daher besteht großes Interesse an der Entwicklung eines kostengünstigen Bluttests zur Kastrationsbestimmung. Bei unkastrierten Kätzinnen liegt außer zum Ovulationszeitpunkt eine niedrige LH-Konzentration im Serum vor, während kastrierte Katzen einen höheren Wert aufweisen. In dieser Studie wurde untersucht, inwiefern sich mit einem Schnelltest zur LH-Bestimmung im Serum der Kastrationsstatus von Kätzinnen akkurat ermitteln lässt.
Novel Missense ALDH3A2 Mutation in a Patient with Sjögren–Larsson Syndrome
Authors: Tagiyev Anar , Cavdarli Busranur , Konuskan Bahadir , Topaloglu Haluk
Published: October 2019

An 11-year-old boy presented with toe-walking, hyperkeratosis of the skin, dysarthric speech, and mild mental retardation. On neurological examination, mild fasciculation in the eyelids and bilateral end-point nystagmus were noted. Speech quality was dysarthric, muscle tone, strength, and deep tendon reflexes increased tone, reflexes, and mild weakness (4/5), and bilateral Babinski sign was noted in the lower extremities. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed a T2-signal increase in the right temporal lobe. Sjögren–Larsson syndrome based on clinical and neurological findings was confirmed with the identification of a homozygous c.983T˃C(p.Met328Thr) mutation in the ALDH3A2 gene; both parents were heterozygous for the same mutation.
Thoracic Endodermal Sinus Tumor with Root Compression Mimicking Guillain–Barre Syndrome in Clinical Presentation, CSF Studies, and EMG/NCV Findings
Authors: Barbut Gal , Brosgol Yuri , Celiker Mahmut , Stein Evan G. , McAbee Gary N.
Published: October 2019

A 2-year-old boy who presented with clinical, cerebrospinal fluid, and electrophysiological findings consistent with Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) was found to have a thoracic spinal cord mass due to a yolk sac tumor. On examination, he had an absent anal wink and flaccid anal ring which is atypical for GBS. This case demonstrates the need for a thorough physical examination on presentation of a child with a clinical and laboratory presentation of GBS and highlights the importance of prompt imaging studies when clinical suspicion arises because of atypical clinical signs, such as absent anal wink or low rectal tone.
Process Tracing the Policy Impact of ‘Indicators’
Authors: te Lintelo D. J. H. , Munslow T. , Pittore K. , Lakshman R.
Published: October 2019

In recent years, a range of new indices, benchmarking and scorecard tools—also known as ‘indicators’—have been developed to influence public policy and to promote accountability. While subjected to important technical and political critiques, the policy impact of ‘indicators’ is often assumed yet rarely demonstrated. Suitable evaluative methods are in their infancy. This article adopts an innovative process tracing analysis to assess the policy impact of the Hunger And Nutrition Commitment Index (HANCI) in Bangladesh, Malawi, Nepal, Zambia and globally. We present a rare and empirically rich application of this systematic qualitative evaluative method. We further contribute to the theorisation of ‘indicators’ by positing a central role for equitable producer–user relations in mediating policy impact, and demonstrate that such relations can overcome significant political critiques on ‘indicators’.
Gold plasmonic material for enhanced Hg1–xCdxTe infrared absorption
Authors: Das Naresh C. , Choi K. K.
Published: October 2019

There are potential applications for high operating temperature (HOT) Hg1-xCdxTe (MCT) infrared (IR) devices for both defense and commercial applications. MCT absorption can be raised either by increasing the absorber thickness or by lowering the operating temperature. However, if we can increase MCT absorption by using plasmonic materials, it will help in both HOT operation and increasing signal to noise ratio. We studied three Gold (Au) plasmonic structures for the absorption enhancement of MCT materials in the wavelength band of 3-7 μm. By using RF module in COMSOL multiphysics software, we found a large increase (1.85X) of MCT absorption when the optimized Au plasmonic structure is used. The increase in absorption at 4.5-6 μm is higher than that at 3-4 μm. The increased absorption due to plasmonic structure allows absorber thickness to decrease which leads to decrease in dark current and HOT devices. We report here record 90% increase in absorption of MCT material at room temperature at peak wavelength around 3.4 μm by using optimized plasmonic structure.
Novel concept for VCSEL enhanced silicon photonic coherent transceiver
Authors: Seiler Pascal M. , Ronniger Gregor , Troppenz Ute , Sigmund Ariane , Moehrle Martin , Peczek Anna , Zimmermann Lars
Published: October 2019

We present a novel concept for an integrated silicon photonic coherent transceiver using vertical-emitting laser sources at 1550 nm. In a state of the art external modulation configuration, we deploy a VCSEL on the transmit and a HCSEL on the receive side. We demonstrate the feasibility of this approach by externally modulating the VCSEL with QPSK at up to 28 Gbaud. We also perform experiments with the VCSEL-HCSEL configuration in a slave-master optical injection locking setup for future data center interconnects. The results show stable locking conditions and the VCSEL is detuned to perform predominant phase modulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time direct phase modulation of a VCSEL under optical injection locking was demonstrated using two vertically emitting laser sources as master - and slave laser.
Series arrays of planar long Josephson junctions for high dynamic range magnetic flux detection
Authors: LeFebvre Jay C. , Cho Ethan , Li Hao , Pratt Kevin , Cybart Shane A.
Published: October 2019

We investigated series arrays of closely spaced, planar long Josephson junctions for magnetic field transduction in Earth’s field, with a linear response and high dynamic range. The devices were fabricated from thin film high-temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−δ (YBCO) thin films, using focused helium ion beam irradiation to create the Josephson barriers. Four series arrays, each consisting of several hundreds of long junctions, were fabricated and electrically tested. From fits of the current-voltage characteristics, we estimate the standard deviation in critical current to be around 25%. Voltage-magnetic field measurements exhibit a transfer function of 42 mV/mT and a linear response over a range of 303 μT at 71 K, resulting in a dynamic range of 124 dB.
The value of camera traps in monitoring a feral-cat and fox reduction program
Authors: Thompson Graham G. , Thompson Scott A. , Bengsen Andrew
Published: October 2019

Abstract
ContextWe examined the effectiveness of camera traps to monitor the success of a feral-cat (Felis catus) and fox (Vulpes vulpes) reduction program near Ravensthorpe, Western Australia.
AimsTo determine whether camera traps are an effective tool to measure a reduction in the abundance of F. catus and V. vulpes at a local scale.
MethodsIn all, 201 Foxoff® baits (i.e. 1080) were laid along the edge of unsealed tracks for each of three periods (i.e. opened 13–15 May 2017, Period 1 closed 29–31 May 2017, Period 2 closed 12–13 June 2017, Period 3 closed 25–26 June 2017), and 98 bait sites were monitored by camera traps during each period. In addition, 150 baited cage traps were deployed to catch F. catus for the same three periods. Vulpes vulpes and F. catus were also shot in the adjacent paddocks before traps were opened and during the laying of traps and bait replacement. We used the first 13 days of camera-trapping data for each period to examine whether there was a significant reduction in V. vulpes and F. catus.
Key resultsCamera traps recorded a significant reduction in V. vulpes images, but knock-down with Foxoff® baits was not as effective as in other programs, and there was no change in the measured abundance of F. catus. Numerous baits were taken and not recorded by camera traps. Multiple V. vulpes moved past or investigated, but did not take baits and a V. vulpes was recorded regurgitating a bait.
ConclusionsCamera traps were not effective for recording bait-take events. Vulpes vulpes knock-down was low and slow compared with other studies, did not reflect the number of baits taken and Foxoff® baits appeared unpalatable or unattractive to many V. vulpes.
ImplicationsCamera traps did not record a high proportion of bait-take, appeared to be insensitive to small changes in fox and cat abundance and Foxoff® baits were less effective in reducing the abundance of V. vulpes than in other studies.
Asymmetric base-pair opening drives helicase unwinding dynamics
Authors: Colizzi Francesco , Perez-Gonzalez Cibran , Fritzen Remi , Levy Yaakov , White Malcolm F. , Penedo J. Carlos , Bussi Giovanni
Published: October 2019

The opening of a Watson–Crick double helix is required for crucial cellular processes, including replication, repair, and transcription. It has long been assumed that RNA or DNA base pairs are broken by the concerted symmetric movement of complementary nucleobases. By analyzing thousands of base-pair opening and closing events from molecular simulations, here, we uncover a systematic stepwise process driven by the asymmetric flipping-out probability of paired nucleobases. We demonstrate experimentally that such asymmetry strongly biases the unwinding efficiency of DNA helicases toward substrates that bear highly dynamic nucleobases, such as pyrimidines, on the displaced strand. Duplex substrates with identical thermodynamic stability are thus shown to be more easily unwound from one side than the other, in a quantifiable and predictable manner. Our results indicate a possible layer of gene regulation coded in the direction-dependent unwindability of the double helix.
The viral F-box protein P0 induces an ER-derived autophagy degradation pathway for the clearance of membrane-bound AGO1
Authors: Michaeli Simon , Clavel Marion , Lechner Esther , Viotti Corrado , Wu Jian , Dubois Marieke , Hacquard Thibaut , Derrien Benoît , Izquierdo Esther , Lecorbeiller Maxime , Bouteiller Nathalie , De Cilia Julia , Ziegler-Graff Véronique , Vaucheret Hervé , Galili Gad , Genschik Pascal
Published: October 2019

Significance

The viral suppressor of RNA silencing P0 is known to target plant antiviral ARGONAUTE (AGO) proteins for degradation via an autophagy-related process. Here we utilized P0 to gain insight into the cellular degradation dynamics of AGO1, the major plant effector of RNA silencing. We revealed that P0 targets endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated AGO1 by inducing the formation of ER-related bodies that are delivered to the vacuole with both P0 and AGO1 as cargos. This process involves ATG8-interacting proteins 1 and 2 (ATI1 and ATI2) that interact with AGO1 and negatively regulate its transgene-silencing activity. Together, our results reveal a layer of ER-bound AGO1 posttranslational regulation that is manipulated by P0 to subvert plant antiviral defense.
Socio-emotional development in high functioning children with Autism Spectrum Disorders using a humanoid robot
Authors: Soares Filomena O. , Costa Sandra C. , Santos Cristina P. , Pereira Ana Paula S. , Hiolle Antoine R. , Silva Vinícius
Published: October 2019

The use of robots had already been proven to encourage the promotion of social interaction and skills lacking in children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), who typically have difficulties in recognizing facial expressions and emotions. The main goal of this research is to study the influence of a humanoid robot to develop socio-emotional skills in children with ASD. The children’s performance in game scenarios aiming to develop facial expressions recognition skills is presented. Along the sessions, children who performed the game scenarios with the robot and the experimenter had a significantly better performance than the children who performed the game scenarios without the robot. The main conclusions of this research support that a humanoid robot is a useful tool to develop socio-emotional skills in the intervention of children with ASD, due to the engagement and positive learning outcome observed.
Copulation calls in wild Mueller’s gibbons (Hylobates muelleri)
Authors: Inoue Yoichi , Sinun Waidi , Okanoya Kazuo
Published: October 2019

Mating activity of a wild Mueller’s gibbon group (Hylobates muelleri) was observed in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia. The purpose of this study was to investigate the function of copulation calls in gibbons. The female emitted copulation calls at the time of intromission and pelvic thrusting. Copulation calls were composed of two notes and one of them was sung only while mating. Approximately half of copulation calls were sung near the range boundary. Mating with copulation calls sometimes occurred while singing. According to the model that female copulation calls have evolved under the selective pressures of risk of infanticide and sperm competition, copulation calls should be rare in species with little female promiscuity. As gibbons usually live in pair-living social organization and have a monogamous mating system, no vocal signals by female gibbons are considered to be needed. However, clear copulation calls were emitted by the female. It suggests that the relationship between paired gibbons is unstable. Copulation calls by the female Mueller’s gibbon may function to increase mate guarding and strengthen the pair bond.
Augmented reality coloring book: An interactive strategy for teaching children with autism to focus on specific nonverbal social cues to promote their social skills
Authors: Lee I-Jui
Published: October 2019

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) reduce one’s ability to act appropriately in social situations. Increasing
evidence indicates that children with ASD might ignore nonverbal social cues that usually aid social interaction because they do
not recognize or understand them. We asked children with ASD to color an augmented reality coloring book (ARCB) to teach them how
to recognize and understand some specific social signals and to ignore others. ARCB materials teach children to recognize and
understand social signals in various ways. They can, for example, view 3D animations of the ARCB materials on a tablet computer.
Thus, the ARCB can be used to help children with ASD focus their attention on the meaning and social value of nonverbal behaviors
in specific social situations. The ARCB has multiple functions: it extends the social features of the story, and it restricts
attention to the most important parts of the videos. Single-subject research with a multiple-baselines across-subject design was
used in this study. After five weeks of ARCB training intervention, all 3 participants’ scores rose significantly and dramatically
during the intervention phase (mean rate of correct answers improved from 14.24% to 47.33%), and remained significantly higher in
the maintenance phase than at baseline. We conclude that coloring pictures of social situations may help children with ASD
recognize and better understand these situations.
Creatine uptake regulates CD8 T cell antitumor immunity
Authors: Di Biase Stefano , Ma Xiaoya , Wang Xi , Yu Jiaji , Wang Yu-Chen , Smith Drake J. , Zhou Yang , Li Zhe , Kim Yu Jeong , Clarke Nicole , To Angela , Yang Lili
Published: October 2019

T cells demand massive energy to combat cancer; however, the metabolic regulators controlling antitumor T cell immunity have just begun to be unveiled. When studying nutrient usage of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in mice, we detected a sharp increase of the expression of a CrT (Slc6a8) gene, which encodes a surface transporter controlling the uptake of creatine into a cell. Using CrT knockout mice, we showed that creatine uptake deficiency severely impaired antitumor T cell immunity. Supplementing creatine to WT mice significantly suppressed tumor growth in multiple mouse tumor models, and the combination of creatine supplementation with a PD-1/PD-L1 blockade treatment showed synergistic tumor suppression efficacy. We further demonstrated that creatine acts as a “molecular battery” conserving bioenergy to power T cell activities. Therefore, our results have identified creatine as an important metabolic regulator controlling antitumor T cell immunity, underscoring the potential of creatine supplementation to improve T cell–based cancer immunotherapies.
Dispersive Solitary Wave Solutions of Strain Wave Dynamical Model and Its Stability
Authors: Arshad Muhammad , Seadawy Aly R. , Lu Dian-Chen , Ali Asghar
Published: October 2019

In the materials of micro-structured, the propagation of wave modeling should take into account the scale of various microstructures. The different kinds solitary wave solutions of strain wave dynamical model are derived via utilizing exp(−ϕ(ξ))-expansion and extended simple equation methods. This dynamical equation plays a key role in engineering and mathematical physics. Solutions obtained in this work include periodic solitary waves, Kink and anti-Kink solitary waves, bell-shaped solutions, solitons, and rational solutions. These exact solutions help researchers for knowing the physical phenomena of this wave equation. The stability of this dynamical model is examined via standard linear stability analysis, which authenticate that the model is stable and their solutions are exact. Graphs are depicted for knowing the movements of some solutions. The results show that the current methods, by the assist of symbolic calculation, give an effectual and direct mathematical tools for resolving the nonlinear problems in applied sciences.
Design of Tunable Devices at Terahertz Frequencies Based on Quasi-Photonic Crystals Incorporated with Graphene
Authors: Ghayoor Reza , Keshavarz Alireza
Published: October 2019

In this study, we present a new theoretical model including Thue-Morse and double-period sequences as quasi-photonic crystals are incorporation with graphene and investigate the transmission properties of the THz waves in both structures using a straightforward computational method. We also consider properties of nonlinear conductivity in addition to surface linear conductivity for graphene. We observe the sharp peaks and proper forbidden bands are created in the range of 0.3 THz to 30 THz. In addition, we find that by considering the nonlinear term of graphene and engineering the structural parameters such as the chemical potential of graphene, number of layers and the incidence wave angle, transmission levels of peaks enhance scientifically and quality factor improve considerably. These results show that it would be possible to design of high-Q tunable filters with multi-stop bands in the THz regime which can reduce the noise associated with THz frequency peaks and increase the number of sharp frequency peaks.
Modeling of Neurodegenerative Diseases Using Discrete Chaotic Systems
Authors: Sadeghi Shabestari Payam , Rostami Zahra , Pham Viet-Thanh , Alsaadi Fawaz E. , Hayat Tasawar
Published: October 2019

Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases are two of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. Tremor, muscle stiffness, and slowness of movement are symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The symptoms of Huntington’s disease are severe reduction in muscle control, emotional disturbance, and pathological disorders in brain cells. These diseases are caused by destruction of the cells that secrete a substance called dopamine. In this paper, a new discrete chaotic system is introduced, which can mimic the brain’s behavior for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson, Huntington, and Hypokinesia. This system is described based on the similarity between the brain’s behavior in normal and abnormal conditions and the chaotic systems. Bifurcation analysis is carried out with respect to different parameters, providing full spectrum of the behavior for different parameter values. Our results can be used to mathematically study the mechanisms behind these diseases.
Fast-response, agile and functional soft actuators based on highly-oriented carbon nanotube thin films
Authors: Li Qingwei , Liu Changhong
Published: October 2019

Highly-oriented carbon nanotube (CNT) film, which is made from super-aligned CNT array, is an even, tough and soft material. This CNT film has strong anisotropy in electrical and mechanical properties. The electrical conductivity and Young’s modulus of the CNT film (2.8 × 104 S m−1, 3000 MPa) along the CNT aligned direction are one magnitude larger than those (2.3 × 103 S m−1, 200 MPa) along the vertical direction. In virtue of easy preparation and good processability, it is competent as high-performance flexible electrodes for soft actuators, advanced film capacitors and batteries. Here, we use this highly-oriented CNT film as a heating electrode to make fast-response soft actuators. The actuator has a thin bilayer composite structure and is driven by current heating. It takes a typical miniaturized actuator only 0.9 s to perform fast and large-angle deformations (270° bending, curvature 4.8 cm−1), and its bending speed can reach 300° s−1 by low power driving (2.4 W). Based on this CNT film, graphical designs and fine processing were carried out to make patterned electrodes and functional actuators, such as cross-shaped and hand-shaped ones. Notably, a well-designed gripper-like actuator can even deftly grab and manipulate some tiny things, e.g. a grain of rice. Moreover, the anisotropic properties of the CNT film also effectively influence and regulate the deformation forms of the actuators. In virtue of good and unique performances in electrical, mechanical and thermal aspects, the high-oriented CNT film would have promising application prospects in various emerging soft devices.
Analytic view on coupled single-electron lines
Authors: Pomorski Krzysztof , Giounanlis Panagiotis , Blokhina Elena , Leipold Dirk , Staszewski R Bogdan
Published: October 2019

The fundamental properties of two electrostatically interacting single-electron lines (SEL) are determined from a minimalistic tight-binding model. The lines are represented by a chain of coupled quantum wells that can be implemented in a mainstream nanoscale CMOS process technology and tuned electrostatically by DC or AC voltage biases. The obtained results show an essential qualitative difference with two capacitively coupled classical electrical lines. The derived equations and their solutions prove that the two coupled SET lines can create an entanglement between electrons. The correlation function characterizing the correlation/anticorrelation in electron position is introduced both in quantum and classical descriptions of capacitively coupled SELs. The quantum measurement conducted on quantum and classical SELs is described. The difference in quantum and classical ground states can be used as the probe determining the ‘quantumness’ of the SEL system. The results indicate a possibility of constructing electrostatic (non-spin) coupled qubits that could be used as a building block in a CMOS quantum computer.
Magnetically induced anisotropy of flux penetration into strong-pinning superconductor/ferromagnet bilayers
Authors: Simmendinger J , Hänisch J , Bihler M , Ionescu A M , Weigand M , Sieger M , Hühne R , Rijckaert H , van Driessche I , Schütz G , Albrecht J
Published: October 2019

We studied the impact of soft ferromagnetic permalloy (Py) on the shielding currents in a strong-pinning superconductor—YBa2Cu3O7−δ
with Ba2Y(Nb/Ta)O6 nano-precipitates—by means of scanning transmission x-ray microscopy. Typically and in particular when in the thin film limit, superconductor/ferromagnet (SC/FM) bilayers exhibit isotropic properties of the flux line ensemble at all temperatures. However, in elements with small aspect ratio a significant anisotropy in flux penetration is observed. We explain this effect by local in-plane fields arising from anisotropic magnetic stray fields originated by the ferromagnet. This leads to direction-dependent motion of magnetic vortices inside the SC/FM bilayer. Our results demonstrate that small variations of the magnetic properties can have huge impact on the superconductor.
Universal phase transitions to synchronization in Kuramoto-like models with heterogeneous coupling
Authors: Xu Can , Boccaletti Stefano , Zheng Zhigang , Guan Shuguang
Published: October 2019

We reveal a class of universal phase transitions to synchronization in Kuramoto-like models with both in- and out-coupling heterogeneity. By analogy with metastable states, an oscillatory state occurs as a high-order coherent phase accompanying explosive synchronization in the system. The critical points of synchronization transition and the stationary solutions are obtained analytically, by the use of mean-field theory. In particular, the stable conditions for the emergence of phase-locked states are determined analytically, consistently with the analysis based on the Ott–Antonsen manifold. We demonstrate that the in- or out-coupling heterogeneity have influence on both the dynamical properties (eigen’spectrum) and the synchronizability of the system.
Cloud-Based Control Systems: Basics and Beyond
Authors: Mahmoud Magdi S.
Published: October 2019

Using advanced information technologies (IT) and Internet of things (IOT) methodologies, cloud-based control systems (CCS) emerge as natural paradigm of networked control systems (NCS) and it being under development by enforcing the concept of control as a service (CaaS). Day by day NCS methods strongly promoted for distributed closed-loop control and industrial automation systems and extremely developed to study the influence of bidirectional communication constraints. In this paper, we examine the basics of cloud-based control systems (CCS) where the controller methods and algorithms are remotely placed in cloud far from the physical system. This creates a two parts: cyber part and physical part. There are several issues arose including networking delays, data dropouts and vulnerability to attacks. Research activities into these and related directions are discussed.
On some comparison of the multistep hybrid methods and their application solving of the Volterra integro-differential equations
Authors: Mehdiyeva G , Ibrahimov V , Imanova M
Published: October 2019

As is known, there are some classes of numerical methods for solving of the initial-value problem for the Volterra integro-differential equations. Here, by comparison of the known methods have constructed the methods with the new properties which have applied to solve the initial-value problem for the ODE and for the Volterra integra-differential equations. By the construction of some relation between of these equations have established the direct connection among them which have called as the p-equivalents between the initial-value problem for ODE and for the Volterra integro-differential equations. Constructed here the stable methods with the high order of accuracy show some advantages of them. Some of them are applied to solving of the initial-value problem for the Volterra integro-differential equations. And also for the illustration of the received results here constructed have applied one of these methods to solve the model problem.
Asymptotical rotating consensus algorithm with processing delay
Authors: Nie Fen , Duan Xiaojun , Liu Yicheng
Published: October 2019

In this paper, we studied some consensus algorithms for the collective rotating motions of a team of agents, which has been widely studied in different disciplines ranging from physics, networks and engineering. Both discrete and continues consensus algorithm with processing delays are investigated. There are three motion patterns determined by the information exchange topology of systems and rotation angle of rotation matrices. The asymptotic consensus appears when 0 is an simple eigenvalue of Laplacian matrix and the rotation angle is less than the critical value, and the rotating consensus achieves when the rotation angle is equal to the critical value. At this point, all agents move on circular orbits and the relative radii of orbits are equal to the relative magnitudes of the components of a right eigenvector associated with 0 eigenvalue of the non-symmetric Laplacian matrix. Finally, all agents move along logarithmic spiral curves with a fixed center when the rotation angle is larger than the critical value.
Investigation of complex of lysine dendrimer of 2nd generation with molecules of therapeutic KED peptide by computer simulation
Authors: Neelov I.M. , Ilyash M.J. , Bezrodnyi V.V. , Fatullaev E.I. , Marchenko A.A. , Bychkova E.I. , Miktaniuk S.E.
Published: October 2019

Lysine dendrimers could be used in many biomedical applications. For example these dendrimers could be used for delivery of short regulatory peptides consisting of several aminoacid residues. We investigated earlier interactions between lysine dendrigraft of 2nd generation and molecules of KED peptide. In present paper we study interaction of lysine dendrimer and molecules of KED peptide. The system containing one dendrimer of 2nd generation and 8 molecules of KED in water with explicit account of counterions was studied by computer simulation. The method of molecular dynamics was used for this goal. We obtained that formation of complex consisting of the dendrimer and all peptide molecules occurs during initial time (t < 40 ns) of simulation. The size, anisotropy of shape and radial density profile of stable complex (after t > 40ns) were studied also. We have shown that formation of complex occurs due to electrostatic interaction between oppositely charged dendrimer. At the same time other interactions, for example hydrogen bonds, also give their contribution to this process. Stable dendrimer-peptide complex has size close to 1,5nm and small shape anisotropy. Density of dendrimer atoms is highest in the centre of complex while density of peptides atoms has maximum at radial distance r=1nm. It total we have shown that lysine dendrimers is suitable carrier for molecules of KED peptide.
Users’ QoS driven radio resources optimization based on radio environment map
Authors: Javornik T , Švigelj A , Hrovat A , Ozimek I
Published: October 2019

The over the top service optimization in wireless networks is a challenging task due to the diversity of wireless terminals, variety of required quality of service requirements and diversity of wireless service access networks. In this paper, we propose an approach to optimize the allocation of users to wireless networks or even particular cells based on the wireless network exposed radio environment status. The radio cells collect the radio environment status based on terminal measurements and pre-calculated interference maps. It exposes the required information to the over the top service provider. The users are allocated applying the network/cell priority list or using a genetic optimization algorithm. The simulation results reveal that the pico-to-macro cell priority list deterministic approach outperforms macro-to-pico priority list approach, while the genetic based optimization approach slightly outperforms both deterministic approaches.
Entrenched ties between outdoor recreation and conservation pose challenges for sustainable land management
Authors: Thomas Sarah L , Reed Sarah E
Published: October 2019

Public demand for outdoor recreation has proved a major impetus for land protection in the United States since the mid-twentieth century, particularly in the US West. Many federal, state, and municipal conservation tools—policies, management programs, and funding initiatives—aim to ensure recreation access to public lands in conjunction with natural resources protection. However, as recreation use increases, driven by amenity migration and economic development, land managers face a growing challenge in balancing the trade-offs between recreation access and other conservation objectives. Drawing on original archival research, we describe the strong policy ties between outdoor recreation and conservation that emerged in the post-World War II era in response to widespread urbanization. Through semi-structured interviews with land managers, we assess the implications of those policy decisions for today’s public land managers. Current management challenges include: poor visitor awareness of the cumulative impacts of recreation activity, resistance by local communities and user groups to restrictions on recreation access, insufficient scientific data to guide management decisions, and limited resources to manage recreationists and enforce regulations. We conclude by proposing strategies to promote sustainable management of multiple-use landscapes through targeted research, application of conservation planning principles, and enhanced cooperation among jurisdictions.
Consequences of agricultural total factor productivity growth for the sustainability of global farming: accounting for direct and indirect land use effects
Authors: Villoria Nelson
Published: October 2019

Most of the growth in agricultural output in the last thirty years comes from increases in the efficiency with which both land and non-land inputs are used. Recent work calls for a better understanding of whether this efficiency, known as total factor productivity (TFP), contributes to a more sustainable food system. Key to this understanding is the documented phenomenon that, instead of saving lands, the introduction of technologies that improve agricultural productivity encourage cropland expansion. We extend the results of a recently published econometric model of cross-country cropland change and TFP growth to explore the extent to which improvements in technology were associated with lower greenhouse emissions from land conversion to agriculture as well as with lower land conversion pressures in biodiversity-rich biomes. We focus on the decade of 2001–2010, a period in which our sample of 70 countries (≈75% of global croplands) experienced net land contraction. Except in sub-Saharan Africa and South and East Asia, regional TFP growth was associated with regional land expansion, thus confirming the existence of Jevons paradox in most regions of the world. However, such expansion was more than offset by indirect land use effects stemming from increases in productivity somewhere else. These indirect effects are far from trivial. In the absence of TFP growth, our estimates suggest that ≈125 Mha would have been needed to satisfy demand, half of which are in the four most biodiverse biomes of the world; estimated land use emissions from the ensuing changes in land use range from a lower bound of 17 Gt CO2eq to an upper bound of 84 Gt CO2eq, depending on whether the expansion would have occurred on pasturelands or forest, in contrast to the ≈1 to 15 Gt CO2eq imputed to observed cropland expansion. Our projections of the land needed to satisfy projected growth in TFP per capita during 2018–2023 indicate that current rates of TFP growth are insufficient to prevent further land expansion, reversing in most cases the in-sample trends in land contraction observed during 2001–2010.
Sexual goals and perceptions of goal congruence in individuals’ PrEP adoption decisions: A mixed-methods study of gay and bisexual men who are in primary relationships
Authors: Gamarel Kristi E , Golub Sarit A
Published: October 2019

Background

Although health goals are recognized as a central feature of health behavior theories, the relational context through which goals are conceptualized is often overlooked. Interdependence theory represents a valuable framework for understanding goals in the adoption of health behaviors, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), among gay and bisexual men in primary relationships.

Purpose

We examined the content and focus of men’s sexual health goals, as well as whether goal content, goal focus, or perceptions of goal congruence with a primary partner were related to PrEP adoption among gay and bisexual men in primary relationships.

Methods

Mixed-methods data were collected from a PrEP demonstration project from 145 HIV-negative gay and bisexual men in primary relationships. Participants reported their sexual health goals and completed measures of perceptions of goal congruence, relationship factors, and sociodemographic factors.

Results

Three main goal content categories were identified: prevention, satisfaction, and intimacy. In expressing these goals, participants framed them with either a self-focus or a relationship-focus. Men in serodiscordant relationships reported more intimacy goals and greater perceptions of goal congruence. There were no differences in goal content or focus by sexual agreement. In the multivariable logistic regression model, perceived goal congruence was associated with PrEP adoption, over and above covariates.

Conclusions

Intimate relationships play a significant role in the formation of health-related goals. Goal content, focus, and perceived congruence with partners may represent important targets for HIV prevention interventions for gay and bisexual men in primary relationships, especially in the context of PrEP.
The Role of Self-regulation Failures and Self-care in the Link Between Daily Sleep Quality and Blood Glucose Among Adults with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Tracy Eunjin Lee , Berg Cynthia A , Kent De Grey Robert G , Butner Jonathan , Litchman Michelle L , Allen Nancy A , Helgeson Vicki S
Published: October 2019

Background

Sleep, a process that restores the body’s ability to self-regulate, may be one important factor affecting self-care behaviors and blood glucose (BG) levels. The link between sleep quality, self-care behaviors, and BG levels may occur by sleep-altering daily self-regulatory failures.

Purpose

This study examined whether the relation between sleep quality and self-care behaviors occurred through self-regulation failures and whether the relation between sleep quality and BG levels occurred through self-regulation failures and self-care behaviors sequentially.

Methods

One hundred and ninety-nine adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D) completed an online questionnaire for 14 days in which they reported sleep quality, self-regulation failures, and self-care behaviors. BG levels were gathered from glucometers. Analyses involved multilevel mediation models and focused on daily within-person and between-person variability of sleep quality.

Results

Better daily sleep quality was associated with higher self-care behaviors at both within-person and between-person levels, and self-regulation failures mediated the association between daily sleep quality and daily self-care behaviors at both within-person and between-person levels. Better daily sleep quality was associated with better BG levels at the within-person level and self-regulation behaviors and self-care behaviors sequentially mediated the association between daily sleep quality and daily BG levels at the within-person level.

Conclusion

This study provides a process account of the importance of daily sleep quality of adults with T1D, as well as one potential mechanism—self-regulation—that may explain the effect of sleep quality on diabetes outcomes.
Mosaicism for KCNJ5 Causing Early-Onset Primary Aldosteronism due to Bilateral Adrenocortical Hyperplasia
Authors: Maria Andrea G , Suzuki Mari , Berthon Annabel , Kamilaris Crystal , Demidowich Andrew , Lack Justin , Zilbermint Mihail , Hannah-Shmouni Fady , Faucz Fabio R , Stratakis Constantine A
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

Somatic variants in KCNJ5 are the most common cause of primary aldosteronism (PA). There are few patients with PA in whom the disease is caused by germline variants in the KCNJ5 potassium channel gene (familial hyperaldosteronism type III—FH-III).

METHODS

A 5-year-old patient who developed hypertension due to bilateral adrenocortical hyperplasia (BAH) causing PA had negative peripheral DNA testing for any known genetic causes of PA. He was treated medically with adequate control of his PA but by the third decade of his life, due to worsening renal function, he underwent bilateral adrenalectomy.

RESULTS

Focused exome sequencing in multiple nodules of his BAH uncovered a “hot-spot” pathogenic KCNJ5 variant, while repeated Sanger sequencing showed no detectable DNA defects in peripheral blood and other tissues. However, whole exome, “deep” sequencing revealed that 0.23% of copies of germline DNA did in fact carry the same KCNJ5 variant that was present in the adrenocortical nodules, suggesting low level germline mosaicism for this PA-causing KCNJ5 defect.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, this patient represents a unique case of BAH due to a mosaic KCNJ5 defect. Undoubtedly, his milder PA compared with other known cases of FH-III, was due to his mosaicism. This case has a number of implications for the prognosis, treatment, and counseling of the many patients with PA due to BAH that are seen in hypertension clinics.