bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Passive ultrasound aided acoustic resolution photoacoustic microscopy imaging for layered heterogeneous media
Authors: Jin Haoran , Zhang Ruochong , Liu Siyu , Zheng Yuanjin
Published: December 2018

Photoacoustic imaging reconstructions usually assume a known speed-of-sound (SOS) distribution; however, in most cases, the SOS distribution is not revealed and is difficult to estimate from photoacoustic signals. In this paper, we propose passive ultrasound aided acoustic resolution photoacoustic microscopy which simultaneously reconstructs SOS distributions and photoacoustic images for layered heterogeneous media. The passive ultrasound is a kind of laser-induced acoustic wave generated by a transducer absorbing the backscattered light. It can be used to measure the layer thicknesses due to its sensitivity to structural information and broad bandwidth and further determine the SOS distributions. After estimating the SOS distributions, a phase shift plus interpolation is employed to reconstruct the photoacoustic image for heterogeneous media. Without introducing additional hardware, this method can be conveniently incorporated into a conventional photoacoustic imaging system. A curved shell immersed in water is adopted as a layered heterogeneous phantom, and the proposed method reconstructs the targets (carbon rods) under this shell. Under the test of a 5 MHz focused transducer (NA 0.25), the maximum reconstruction deviation of 1.2 mm carbon rods is only 0.15 mm.
Concentric ripples of lubrication film in electrowetting
Authors: Li Zhongnan , Li Jiang , Chen Haosheng
Published: December 2018

When a water drop approaches a solid surface in an ambient oil environment, a thin oil film will be formed between the drop and the solid surface. The lubrication film presents more complex behaviors when the external electrical field varies discretely, and in this work, concentric ripples are found in the thin film under a series of voltage steps, which is obviously different from the film profile when the applied voltage is continuously increased. According to the time evolution of the thin film, each voltage step adds a new concentric ripple outside the existing lubrication film. The radial wavelength and the maximum height of each ripple are revealed to have a linear relationship with the amplitude of the corresponding voltage step. The ripples finally break into microscopic oil droplets, and the size and the number of the droplets can be predicted with the diameter and the radial wavelength of each ripple.
Are the benefits of new health services greater than their opportunity costs?
Authors: Edney Laura , Haji Ali Afzali Hossein , Karnon Jonathan
Published: December 2018

The Australian health system performs well compared with other developed countries, but there is potential for improved health outcomes through the consideration of the opportunity costs of funding new health services. The opportunity costs of funding a new health service are the benefits forgone from the activities that would be funded if the new health service was not funded. When the forgone activity cannot be observed directly, the expected opportunity costs have been estimated as the expected gain in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) associated with marginal increases in government expenditure on health. We have previously estimated that a gain of 1 QALY is expected for every additional A$28 033 of government expenditure on health. This paper discusses the relevance and proposed use of this estimate of opportunity costs to inform decisions around the public funding of new health services in Australia.
Inter-disciplinary, multi-scale science to support society to adapt under global change
Authors: McDonald Karlie S. , Hobday Alistair J. , Gaitán-Espitia Juan Diego
Published: December 2018

Factualised storytelling narratives may assist scientists to communicate inter-disciplinary, multi-scale climate change research with stakeholders and non-expert members of the community. Scientists are increasingly required to balance scientific rigour with storytelling narratives that can facilitate climate change mitigation and adaptation as new communication technologies evolve. In this editorial to the research front, ‘Climate impacts on marine system structure and function: molecules to ecosystems’, a review of climate change coverage in the media since 1980 showed that climate change science had a substantial voice globally and, in particular, in countries with carbon-dependent economies. However, the effective communication of multi-scale climate change research in the media can be complicated by the complex messages, the lack of training scientists receive in communication, and the traditionally distant relationship that the scientific community has with the media and, more so, with the broader community. Considerable scientific effort is being made to overcome these challenges as additional responsibility is placed on the scientific community to produce newsworthy scientific outputs. However, the integration of inter-disciplinary, multi-scale information, such as outlined in this research front, can result in more holistic climate change stories that scientists can effectively communicate with stakeholders and the broader community.
Language bias and proficiency effects on cross-language activation
Authors: Martínez García María Teresa
Published: December 2018

Recent research proposes that language bias and proficiency modulate cross-language activation in comprehension and production, but it is unclear how they operate and whether they interact. This study investigates whether stress differences between Spanish-English cognates (material, final-syllable stress in Spanish) affect how native-English second-language-Spanish bilinguals recognize Spanish words (materia “subject/matter,” second-syllable stress in Spanish). In a Spanish-English eye-tracking experiment (and parallel production task), participants heard/produced trisyllabic Spanish targets with second-syllable stress (materia) and saw four orthographic words, including the target and a Spanish-English cognate competitor. Cross-language activation was examined by manipulating the stress of the cognate in English. In comprehension, English cognates with the same stress as the Spanish target (materia vs material) were predicted to cause more cross-language interference than English cognates with a different stress (litera “bunk bed,” vs literal), but the reverse pattern was expected in production. Participants were assigned to a Spanish-bias condition (20% of English (filler) items), or an English-bias condition (65% of English (filler) items). Results indicate that English cognates with the same stress as the Spanish target interfered with the recognition of the Spanish target only in the English-bias condition (but facilitated its production), while increasing Spanish proficiency helped reduce this cross-linguistic interference.
Confusion, contradiction and exclusion: the promotion of British values in the teaching of history in schools
Authors: Mansfield Andrew
Published: December 2018

This article discusses the challenges faced teaching the promotion of ‘British values’, especially for trainee teachers. The advancement of these ‘British values’ as set out by the Department for Education is confusing, contradictory, and appear to exclude a sizeable minority of pupils of minority backgrounds from the current historical narrative of Britain as delineated by the National Curriculum (2013). Moreover, there is little advice for new teachers on what these ‘values’ really mean or how they should be taught within schools, despite forming part of the standards required to achieve QTS. The author not only examines this confusion but provides the perspective of a former academic who has moved into secondary teaching, and their reaction to the teaching of History in schools and concerns regarding the History Curriculum.
Final report on the force key comparison CCM.F-K3
Authors: Kumme Rolf , Averlant Philippe , Bartel Tom , Germak Alessandro , Knott Andy , Man John , Medina Nieves , Ostrivnoy Alexander , Park You-Kyu , Röske Dirk , Seifarth Rick L. , Wozniak Mikolaj , Ueda Kazunaga , Zhimin Zhang
Published: December 2018

In the Force Key Comparison CCM.F-K3 the measurand force was compared at the two force steps 500 kN and 1 MN. 12 laboratories participated in this comparison which was organised by PTB as the pilot laboratory in two laboratory groups (group A and B). In group A, the comparison was carried out with two 1 MN compression force transducers at the two force steps 500 kN and 1 MN (CCM.F-K3a) and with 6 participating laboratories. In group B, the comparison was carried out with two 500 kN compression force transducers at one force step of 500 kN (CCM.F-K3b) and with 9 participating laboratories. The key comparison reference values were determined as the weighted mean of all results for the two force steps and set to 500 kN and 1 MN, respectively, with the associated uncertainties. The degrees of equivalence were determined for all 12 laboratories for 500 kN compression force and for 6 laboratories for 1 MN compression force.

KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH

Force Key Comparison, high force, 500 kN, 1 MN

Main text

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

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Assay of potassium hydrogen phthalate (CCQM-K34.2016)
Authors: Liandi MA , Bing WU , Ortiz-Aparicio José Luis , Manzano Judith Velina Lara , Kozlowski Wladyslaw , Dumańska Joanna , Pawlina Monika , Pietrzak Anna , Forero s Mauricio Castillo , Quesada Henry Torres , Andrés España Sánchez Carlos , Amaya Ronald Cristancho , Bohórquez s Felipe Peralta , Sobral Sidney Pereira , Borges Paulo Paschoal , Hatamleh Nadia , Puelles Mabel , Iglesias Ana , Lozano n , Jo Kyungmin , Hwang Euijin , Waters Jason F , Asakai Toshiaki , Mariassy Michal , Shimolin Alexandr , Sobina Alena , Prokunin Sergey , Morozov Ivan V , Dobrovolskiy Vladimir I , Aprelev Alexey V
Published: December 2018

The CCQM-K34.2016 key comparison for determination of the purity of potassium hydrogen phthalate was organized jointly by the inorganic analysis and electrochemical analysis working groups of CCQM to repeat CCQM-K34 for supporting CMC claims of participating metrology institutes in assaying the amount content of monoprotic weak acid. National Institute of Metrology P.R.China (NIM) acted as the coordinating laboratory of this comparison. Twelve NMIs participated in this key comparison. With the exception of one laboratory that used NaOH-titration, all participants used coulometry. In general a good overlap of results was observed, the suitability of coulometry for assay of high purity materials was demonstrated again, and some possible technical problems were highlighted.

The comparison tested the capabilities and methods used for assay of high purity materials. Good result indicates good performance in assaying the purity (amount content) of solid weak acids.

KEY WORDS FOR SEARCH

CCQM-K34.2016; potassium hydrogen phthalate; coulometry

Main text

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

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCQM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
A robust and high-precision automatic reading algorithm of pointer meters based on machine vision
Authors: Ma Yifan , Jiang Qi
Published: December 2018

Automatic reading of pointer meters is of great significance to meter verification and industrial inspection robots. Many automatic reading algorithms of pointer meters based on machine vision have been proposed. However, the pointer shadow problem has not been effectively solved, which hinders the automatic reading of inspection robots in complex lighting environments. Also, pointer line recognition is easily influenced by the images around the pointer. With the aim of addressing these problems, this paper proposes a robust and high-precision pointer meter automatic reading algorithm. In meter center recognition using a round-degree method, this paper uses the eight chain code shape to represent the pixel image shape to prevent abnormal calculation of the round-degree. A novel binarization threshold determination method based on the symmetry degree is proposed to segment the pointer region, which effectively solves the pointer shadow problem. In addition, for pointer recognition, this paper proposes an improved random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm to overcome background image interference. The experimental results prove that the algorithm effectively removes pointer shadows and that the reading precision is high.
Corrigendum to “Notes on interpolation in the generalized Schur class. II. Nudel’man’s problem”
Authors: Alpay D. , Dijksma A. , Rovnyak J.
Published: December 2018

This note identifies errors in the joint paper [Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 355 (2003), 813–836] by the authors and T. Constantinescu. The Main Theorem requires a stronger hypothesis. The applications to interpolation problems are affected by this change; some survive, but others do not and are withdrawn.
Reflective blindness, depression and unpleasant experiences
Authors: Ventham Elizabeth
Published: December 2018

This paper defends a ‘Desire Account’ of unpleasant experiences. That is, it defends the claim that what makes an experience unpleasant is the subject non-derivatively desiring for that experience to stop. It defends the account by addressing one of its most prominent counterexamples: subjects who experience depression. A proper understanding of depression and its symptoms reveals two important mistakes that philosophers make about it. The first mistake is that depressed subjects need always have a low mood, the second is a conflation of two of depression’s most paradigmatic symptoms: depressed mood and anhedonia. This paper corrects these mistakes, and does so in a way that both demonstrates support for the Desire Account and teaches us lessons more generally about the way we treat the example of depression in meta-ethics.
The promise of collective impact partnerships
Authors: Mayan Maria , Pauchulo Ana Laura , Gillespie Dianne , Misita Dragana , Mejia Teresa
Published: December 2018

The research question guiding this inquiry was, ‘From the perspective of collective impact (CI) practitioners, what makes CI a promising approach to partnership work for systemic social change?’ The researchers sought to answer this question through interviews with participants involved in CI partnerships in North America, Europe and Australia. Content analysis of the interview transcripts revealed that CI is defined as a model, a framework or a tool for partnership work and that its promise, as well as challenges, lie in its inherent demand for relationships between ‘unlikely partners’, its call to establish equitable practices in relationship building and its goal to foster systemic change through collective responsibility. The researchers recommend that future research focus on determining whether this approach surpasses theoretical significance and is a successful approach to partnership work.
Birth Cohort Studies Assessing Norovirus Infection and Immunity in Young Children: A Review
Authors: Cannon Jennifer L , Lopman Benjamin A , Payne Daniel C , Vinjé Jan
Published: December 2018

Globally, noroviruses are among the foremost causes of acute diarrheal disease, yet there are many unanswered questions on norovirus immunity, particularly following natural infection in young children during the first 2 years of life when the disease burden is highest. We conducted a literature review on birth cohort studies assessing norovirus infections in children from birth to early childhood. Data on infection, immunity, and risk factors are summarized from 10 community-based birth cohort studies conducted in low- and middle-income countries. Up to 90% of children experienced atleast one norovirus infection and up to 70% experienced norovirus-associated diarrhea, most often affecting children 6 months of age and older. Data from these studies help to fill critical knowledge gaps for vaccine development, yet study design and methodological differences limit comparison between studies, particularly for immunity and risk factors for disease. Considerations for conducting future birth cohort studies on norovirus are discussed.
The financialisation–offshoring nexus and the capital accumulation of US non-financial firms
Authors: Auvray Tristan , Rabinovich Joel
Published: December 2018

The financialisation of non-financial corporations has drawn the attention of many scholars who have identified two main channels through which financialisation occurs: a higher proportion of financial assets compared to non-financial ones and a higher amount of resources diverted to financial markets. A consequence of this process is a decrease in investment. Parallel to financialisation, many non-financial corporations have also engaged in an internationalisation of their productive activities, organising them under global value chains. Though offshoring may also explain the decrease in the level of investment of non-financial firms, the intersections between the literature on financialisation and the literature on global value chain remain surprisingly underdeveloped. This paper contributes to fill this gap using panel regressions for US non-financial corporations between 1995 and 2011. We find evidence that both offshoring and financialisation are determinants to the decrease in investment and that financialisation occurs mainly among firms belonging to sectors prone to offshoring.
Accountability for Governance Choices in Artificial Intelligence: Afterword to Eyal Benvenisti’s Foreword
Authors: McGregor Lorna
Published: December 2018

A growing body of literature examines how to make the use of new and emerging technologies more transparent and explainable as a means to ensure accountability for harm to human rights. While a critical part of accountability, a predominant focus on the technology can result in the design and adaptation of accountability principles to ‘manage’ the technology instead of starting from an assessment of the governance choices actors make when integrating new and emerging technologies into their mandates. Recognition of the governance choices underpinning the introduction of new and emerging technologies is often overlooked in scholarship and practice. Yet, without explicit recognition of the role played by technology in governance, the disruptive effects of technology on (global) governance may be underplayed or even ignored. In this response, I argue that if the ‘culture of accountability’ is to adapt to the challenges posed by new and emerging technologies, the focus cannot only be technology-led. It must also be interrogative of the governance choices that are made within organizations, particularly those vested with public functions at the international and national level.
Cantor Julia sets with Hausdorff dimension two
Authors: Yang Fei
Published: December 2018

We prove the existence of Cantor Julia sets with Hausdorff dimension two. In particular, such examples can be found in cubic polynomials. The proof is based on the characterization of the parameter spaces and dynamical planes of cubic polynomials by Branner–Hubbard and the parabolic bifurcation theory developed by Shishikura in the 1990s.
The Calc-Alkaline Hidden Bay and Kagalaska Plutons and the Construction of the Central Aleutian Oceanic Arc Crust
Authors: Kay Suzanne Mahlburg , Jicha Brian R , Citron Gary L , Kay Robert W , Tibbetts Ashley K , Rivera Tiffany A
Published: December 2018

Calc-alkaline plutons are the major crustal building blocks of continental margins, but are rarely exposed in oceanic island arcs. Two of the best examples are the ∼10 km wide Hidden Bay and Kagalaska plutons that intrude Eocene mafic volcanic–sedimentary rocks on Adak and Kagalaska islands in the central Aleutian arc. Twenty new Ar/Ar and U/Pb ages, coupled with published ages, show that the Hidden Bay pluton was intruded in multiple stages from ∼34·6 to 30·9 Ma, whereas the Kagalaska pluton was intruded at ∼14 Ma. The plutons largely consist of medium- to high-K2O hornblende-bearing cumulate diorite (53–55 wt % SiO2) and hornblende–biotite granodiorite (57–64 wt %), with lesser amounts of gabbro (50–52 wt % SiO2), leucogranodiorite (67–69 wt % SiO2) and aplite (76–77 wt % SiO2) that can generally be linked to each other by crystal fractionation. The compositions of these plutons are generally similar to those of continental plutons, except for more oceanic-like large ion lithophile element and isotopic signatures (87Sr/86Sr = 0·703–0·7033; ɛNd = 9·4–7·7) that reflect oceanic- rather than continental-type crustal contaminants. Chemical similarities between the Hidden Bay homogeneous gabbros and high-Al basalts in Adak Pleistocene-Holocene volcanoes indicate little temporal evolution in the general character of the mantle-derived basalts. Rather than a unique arc setting and distinctive magmas, formation of the Aleutian calc-alkaline plutons seems to require a sufficient crustal thickness (∼37 km) and a high enough water content to stabilize pargasitic hornblende amphibole in a relatively closed magma system that favors increasing K, Ti and H2O at the end of a magmatic cycle. This termination of magmatism coincides with a northward migration of the magmatic front that is inferred to be associated with fore-arc subduction erosion. In accord with Adak region crustal architecture based on seismic data, crystallization models for the plutons suggest that mantle-generated hydrous arc basalts fractionated olivine and clinopyroxene in the lower crust to form high-Al basaltic composition magmas that rose into the mid-crust, where gabbro and diorite crystallized to form the magmas that buoyantly rose into the upper crust and crystallized to form the volumetrically dominant granodiorite (58–63 wt % SiO2). The most important temporal changes in chemistry can be explained by fore-arc crust incorporated into the mantle wedge by fore-arc subduction erosion creating ‘adakitic’ signatures at times of northward arc migration and a change to a more continental subducted sediment component at the time of Plio-Pleistocene glaciation.
Minors’ Contracts: A Major Problem with the Indian Contract Act, 1872
Authors: Swaminathan Shivprasad , Surana Ragini
Published: December 2018

Section 10 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 stipulates that all agreements made with the ‘free consent’ of parties who are ‘competent’ to contract are enforceable as contracts. Section 11 declares that minors are not competent to contract. While the Act goes on to specifically set out the consequences of vitiated ‘consent’ in sections 19, 19A, and 20, it omits spelling out the consequences of contracting with a minor. Nevertheless, a decision of the Privy Council, Mohori Bibee v. Dharmodas Ghose (1903) read the Act as having given a definitive answer to this question and took the view that minors’ contracts were void ab initio (not voidable or void) which meant that neither party could enforce it, nor could they seek to be restituted to their original positions under provisions stipulating restitution in the case of either voidable (section 64) or void (section 65) contracts. Indian courts have since invoked Mohori Bibee in bloodless abstraction, as if it were an unquestionable axiom of Indian contract law. This article argues that the Privy Council’s reading of the Act in Mohori Bibee is problematic, and its invention of the category of contracts void ab initio is unsupported by the Act.
Antibody–drug conjugates for ovarian cancer: current clinical development
Authors: Stewart Daphne , Cristea Mihaela
Published: December 2018

Purpose of review

Antibody drug conjugates (ADC) are a novel class of cancer therapeutics, delivering cytotoxic therapy directly to cancer cells, and show promise in the management of platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. Herein we summarize the ADC landscape currently in clinical study.

Recent findings

Mirvetuximab Soravtansine, IMGN853, is an ADC targeting the folate receptor alpha (FRα) and has demonstrated promising single agent activity and a favorable toxicity profile in FRα-positive, platinum-resistant, epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The antitumor effect is seen primarily in less heavily pretreated EOC patients with moderate-to-high FRα tumor expression. A phase III study, randomizing patients to either IMGN853 or the physician's choice of single-agent chemotherapy has completed accrual. Additional ADC are being evaluated in ovarian cancer including agents that target NaPiB2, Trop2, mesothelin, and MUC16 are in phase 1 clinical trials.

ADC bind antigens overexpressed on cancer cells and provide site-selective drug delivery, with the goal to increase therapeutic efficacy of cytotoxics while decreasing the off-target toxicity of the payloads. With appropriate antigen selection and adequate, measurable antigen threshold targets, these new agents may provide an improved strategy for overcoming resistance to standard chemotherapy in ovarian cancer.
Application of muon tomography to fuel cask monitoring
Authors: Poulson Dan , Bacon Jeff , Durham Matt , Guardincerri Elena , Morris C. L. , Trellue Holly R.
Published: December 2018

Long-term monitoring of spent fuel stored in dry cask storage is currently achieved through the use of seals and surveillance. Muon tomography can provide direct imaging that may be useful in cases where what is known as Continuity of Knowledge (CoK) has been lost using the former methods. Over the past several years, a team from Los Alamos National Laboratory has been studying the use of muon scattering and stopping to examine spent fuel in dry cask storage. Data taken on a partially loaded Westinghouse MC-10 fuel cask have demonstrated that muon scattering radiography can detect missing fuel assemblies. A model, validated by this data, shows that tomographic reconstructions of the fuel can be obtained in relatively short exposures. Model fitting algorithms have been developed for dealing with datasets with limited angular that appear to work well. Here we show that muon tomography can provide a fingerprint of a loaded fuel cask, because of its sensitivity to both the density and atomic charge of the spent fuel, and that it is sensitive to many diversion scenarios.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography’.
Borehole muography of subsurface reservoirs
Authors: Bonneville Alain , Kouzes Richard , Yamaoka Jared , Lintereur Azaree , Flygare Joshua , Varner Gary S. , Mostafanezhad Isar , Guardincerri Elena , Rowe Charlotte , Mellors Robert
Published: December 2018

Imaging subsurface rock formations or geological objects like oil and gas reservoirs, mineral deposits, cavities or even magmatic plumbing systems under active volcanoes has been for many years a major quest of geoscientists. Since these subsurface objects cannot be observed directly, different indirect methods have been developed. These methods are all based on variations of certain physical properties of the subsurface materials that can be detected from the ground surface or from boreholes. To determine the density distribution, a new imaging technique using cosmic-ray muon detectors deployed in a borehole has been developed and a first prototype of a borehole muon detector successfully tested. In addition to providing a static image of the subsurface density in three dimensions (or three-dimensional tomography), borehole muography can also inform on the variations of density with time, which recently became of major importance with the injection of large volumes of fluids, mainly water and CO
2
, in porous subsurface reservoirs (e.g. aquifer storage and recovery, wastewater disposal, enhanced oil recovery and carbon sequestration). This raises several concerns about the risk of leakage and the mechanical integrity of the reservoirs. Determining the field scale induced displacement of fluids by geophysical methods like muography is thus a priority.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography'.
Muon geotomography: selected case studies
Authors: Schouten Doug
Published: December 2018

Muon attenuation in matter can be used to infer the average material density along the path length of muons underground. By mapping the intensity of cosmic ray muons with an underground sensor, a radiographic image of the overburden above the sensor can be derived. Multiple such images can be combined to reconstruct a three-dimensional density model of the subsurface. This article summarizes selected case studies in applying muon tomography to mineral exploration, which we call muon geotomography.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography’.
Tests of a novel imaging algorithm to localize hidden objects or cavities with muon radiography
Authors: Bonechi L. , Baccani G. , Bongi M. , Brocchini D. , Casagli N. , Ciaranfi R. , Cimmino L. , Ciulli V. , D'Alessandro R. , Del Ventisette C. , Dini A. , Gigli G. , Gonzi S. , Guideri S. , Lombardi L. , Melon B. , Mori N. , Nocentini M. , Noli P. , Saracino G. , Viliani L.
Published: December 2018

A novel algorithm developed within muon radiography to localize objects or cavities hidden inside large material volumes was recently proposed by some of the authors (Bonechi
et al.
2015
J. Instrum.
10
, P02003 (
doi:10.1088/1748-0221/10/02/P02003
)). The algorithm, based on muon back projection, helps to estimate the three-dimensional position and the transverse extension of detected objects without the need for measurements from different points of view, which would be required to make a triangulation. This algorithm can now be tested owing to the availability of real data collected both in laboratory tests and from real-world measurements. The methodology and some test results are presented in this paper.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography’.
Investigation of the limits of high-definition muography for observation of Mt Sakurajima
Authors: Oláh László , Tanaka Hiroyuki K. M. , Hamar Gergő , Varga Dezső
Published: December 2018

A multi-wire proportional chamber-based muo- graphy observatory is under development for the monitoring of the internal structure of Mt Sakurajima in Kyushu, Japan. We investigated the limits of large-scale and high-definition muography. We adjusted the parameters of a modified Gaisser model and found that the spectral index of
γ
 =  − 2.64 and normalization factor of
C
 = 0.66 reproduce more accurately the measured fluxes than the original parameters at large thickness. A thickness and zenith angle-dependent correction is suggested to the measured muon flux due to the energy cut which is introduced to suppress the background particles. The multiple scattering of muons was simulated across the standard rock and sea-level atmosphere up to the distance of 5 km. We found that multiple scattering decreases from 10 mrad to 4 mrad across the rock due to the decrease in the steepness of muon spectra. The multiple scattering falls down to about 2 mrad after the object in the atmosphere due to the increase in observed arrival zenith angles. The 2 m
2
sized multi-wire proportional chamber-based Muographic Observation System (MMOS) was operating between February and June 2018. Three tracking systems operated reliably with tracking efficiencies of above 95%. The muon flux has been measured correctly down to 10
−3
 m
−2
 sr
−1
 s
−1
. The average density map of Mt Sakurajima has been measured with angular resolution of 12 mrad × 12 mrad (spatial resolution of 34 m × 34 m from the distance of 2.8 km). The average density values were found between 1.4 and 2 g cm
−3
, except at the crater regions where lower densities were observed.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography’.
Imaging the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore using cosmic rays
Authors: Guardincerri E. , Bacon J. D. , Barros N. , Blasi C. , Bonechi L. , Chen A. , D'Alessandro R. , Durham J. M. , Fine M. , Mauger C. , Mayers G. , Morris C. , Newcomer F. M. , Okasinski J. , Pizzico T. , Plaud-Ramos K. , Poulson D. C. , Reilly M. B. , Roberts A. , Saeid T. , Vaccaro V. , Van Berg R.
Published: December 2018

The dome of Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence Cathedral, was built between 1420 and 1436 by architect Filippo Brunelleschi and it is now cracking under its own weight. Engineering efforts are under way to model the dome's structure and reinforce it against further deterioration. According to some scholars, Brunelleschi might have built reinforcement structures into the dome itself; however, the only known reinforcement is a wood chain 7.75 m above the springing of the Cupola. Multiple scattering muon radiography is a non-destructive imaging method that can be used to image the interior of the dome's wall and therefore ascertain the layout and status of any iron substructure in it. A demonstration measurement was performed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory on a mock-up wall to show the feasibility of the work proposed, and a lightweight and modular imaging system is currently under construction. We will discuss here the results of the demonstration measurement and the potential of the proposed technique, describe the imaging system under construction and outline the plans for the measurement.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography’.
Muography applications developed by IFIN-HH
Authors: Mitrica Bogdan , Stanca Denis , Cautisanu Bogdan , Niculescu-Oglinzanu Mihai , Balaceanu Alexandru , Gherghel-Lascu Alexandru , Munteanu Andreea , Saftoiu Alexandra , Mosu Toma , Margineanu Romul , Alkotbe Bashar
Published: December 2018

Cosmic-ray muons have been studied at IFIN-HH for more than 20 years. Starting as fundamental physics research, the muon flux measurements bring new directions of study regarding muography. Two new directions have been recently developed: underground muon scanning of old mining sites in order to detect the possible presence of unknown cavities and underwater scanning of ships in commercial harbours in order to prevent the illegal traffic of radioactive materials. The main goal of the first direction of study is to improve the security of underground civilian and industrial infrastructures, by starting the development of a new, innovative detection system that can be used to identify potentially dangerous conditions using a non-invasive, totally safe method. The method proposed uses information provided by a device placed underground that measures directional cosmic muon flux and identifies anomalies produced by irregularities in the geological layers above. For the second direction of study, the method proposed is based on the detection and analysis of the cosmic muon flux. The high-density materials (uranium, lead—used for radiation shielding, etc.) cause a decrease in the directional muon flux. The detection system will be submerged underneath the ship that will be scanned, being able to locate illegal radioactive materials without exposing any personnel to radiation or contamination. Correlated with simulations based on the known configuration of the ship scanned, the data provided by the detection system will provide the location and dimensions of the undeclared material transported.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography’.
Overview of muographers
Authors: Tanaka Hiroyuki K. M. , Oláh László
Published: December 2018

By observing the growth of a research community, particularly the factors of size and strength of involvement, it is possible to evaluate the vitality of a new field. The emerging technology of muography, a new visualization technique to look through gigantic objects with an elementary particle called the muon, is the focus of this study. Recently, the initial applications of muography to the study of structures such as pyramids and volcanoes have been expanding to include more commercial interests such as inspecting social infrastructures and energy and mineral resources. Evolutions of the research networks of muography will be discussed with particular attention to the chronological and lateral structures that could be an indicator of the development of this new technology.

This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue ‘Cosmic-ray muography’.
A novelqacAallele results in an elevated chlorhexidine glu conate minimum inhibitory concentration in cutaneousStaphylococcus epidermidisisolates
Authors: Addetia Amin , Greninger Alexander L , Adler Amanda , Yuan Shuhua , Makhsous Negar , Qin Xuan , Zerr Danielle M
Published: December 2018

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is a topical antiseptic widely used in healthcare settings. InStaphylococcusspp., the pump QacA effluxes CHG, while the closely related QacB cannot due to a single amino acid substitution. We characterized 1,050 cutaneousStaphylococcusisolates obtained from 173 pediatric oncology patients enrolled in a multicenter CHG bathing trial. CHG susceptibility testing revealed 63 (6%) of these isolates had elevated CHG MICs (≥ 4 μg/mL). Screening of all 1,050 isolates forqacA/Bby restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) yielded 56 isolates with a novelqacA/BRFLP pattern,qacAB273. The CHG MIC was significantly higher forqacAB273-positive isolates (MIC50: 4 μg/mL, [range: 0.5 – 4 μg/mL]) compared to otherqacgroups:qacA-positive (n=559, 1 μg/mL, [0.5 – 4 μg/mL]),qacB-positive (n=17, 1 μg/mL, [0.25 – 2 μg/mL]), andqacA/B-negative (n=418, 1 μg/mL, [0.125 – 2 μg/mL], p=0.001). TheqacAB273-positive isolates also displayed a high proportion of methicillin resistance (96.4%) compared to otherqacgroups (24.9 – 61.7%, p=0.001). Whole genome sequencing revealed thatqacAB273-positive isolates encoded a variant of QacA with 2 amino acid substitutions. This new allele, namedqacA4, was carried on the novel plasmid pAQZ1. TheqacA4-carrying isolates belonged to the highly resistantS. epidermidisclone ST2 and were collected from multiple centers across the United States and Canada. Curing an isolate ofqacA4resulted in a four-fold decrease in the CHG MIC, confirming the role ofqacA4in the elevated CHG MIC. Our results highlight the importance of further studyingqacA4and its functional role in clinical staphylococci.

Importance

Staphylococcus epidermidisis an important cause of infections in patients with implanted devices. Bathing with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG), a topical antiseptic, has been shown to reduce rates of device-associated infections, especially those caused byS. epidermidis. InS. epidermidis, reduced susceptibility to CHG is associated with carriage of theqacAgene. As part of a multicenter CHG bathing trial, we obtained cutaneousStaphylococcusisolates from pediatric oncology patients across the United States and Canada. We identified a group of isolates capable of surviving in higher concentrations of CHG and determined a novel allele ofqacA, termedqacA4and carried on the novel plasmid pAQZ1, was responsible for the isolates’ survival in higher CHG concentrations. TheqacA4-carryingS. epidermidisisolates belonged to the highly resistant and virulent ST2 clonal type. Our results highlight the need to understand the global distribution of novelqacAalleles, includingqacA4, and their mechanistic effect on efflux.
Selectivity among anti-σ factors by Mycobacterium tuberculosis ClpX influences intracellular levels of Extracytoplasmic Function σ factors
Authors: Joshi Anuja C , Kaur Prabhjot , Nair Radhika , Lele Deepti , Nandicoori Vinay Kumar , Gopal Balasubramanian
Published: December 2018

Extracytoplasmic Function σ factors that are stress inducible are often sequestered in an inactive complex with a membrane-associated anti-σ factor. M. tuberculosis membrane-associated anti-σ factors have a small stable RNA gene A-like degron for targeted proteolysis. Interaction between the unfoldase, ClpX, and the substrate with an accessible degron initiates energy-dependent proteolysis. Four anti-σ factors with a mutation in the degron provided a set of natural substrates to evaluate the influence of the degron on degradation strength in ClpX-substrate processivity. We note that a point mutation in the degron (XXX-Ala-Ala) leads to an order of magnitude difference in the dwell time of the substrate on ClpX. Differences in ClpX/anti-σ; interactions were correlated with change in unfoldase activity. GFP chimeras or polypeptides of identical length with the anti-σ degron also demonstrate degron-dependent variation in ClpX activity. We show that degron-dependent ClpX activity leads to differences in anti-σ factor degradation thereby regulating the release of free σ from the σ/anti-σ complex. M. tuberculosis ClpX activity thus influences changes in gene expression by modulating the cellular abundance of ECF σ factors.
Cortical and thalamic connectivity of occipital visual cortical areas 17, 18, 19 and 21 of the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo).
Authors: Dell Leigh-Anne , Innocenti Giorgio M , Hilgetag Claus C , Manger Paul R
Published: December 2018

The present study describes the ipsilateral and contralateral cortico-cortical and cortico-thalamic connectivity of the occipital visual areas 17,18, 19 and 21 in the ferret using standard anatomical tract-tracing methods. In line with previous studies of mammalian visual cortex connectivity, substantially more anterograde and retrograde label was present in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the injection site compared to the contralateral hemisphere. Ipsilateral reciprocal connectivity was the strongest within the occipital visual areas, while weaker connectivity strength was observed in the temporal, suprasylvian and parietal visual areas. Callosal connectivity tended to be strongest in the homotopic cortical areas, and revealed a similar areal distribution to that observed in the ipsilateral hemisphere, although often less widespread across cortical areas. Ipsilateral reciprocal connectivity was observed throughout the visual nuclei of the dorsal thalamus, with no contralateral connections to the visual thalamus being observed. The current study, along with previous studies of connectivity in the cat, identified the posteromedial lateral suprasylvian visual area (PMLS) as a distinct network hub external to the occipital visual areas in carnivores, implicating PMLS as a potential gateway to the parietal cortex for dorsal stream processing. These data will also contribute to the Ferretome (www.ferretome.org), a macro connectome database of the ferret brain, providing essential data for connectomics analyses and cross-species analyses of connectomes and brain connectivity matrices, as well as providing data relevant to additional studies of cortical connectivity across mammals and the evolution of cortical connectivity variation.
Integrated analysis of sex-biased mRNA and miRNA expression profiles in the gonad of the discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus)
Authors: Fu yuanshuai , Xu Zhe , Chen Zaizhong , Wen Bin , Gao Jianzhong
Published: December 2018

The discus fish (Symphysodon aequifasciatus) is an ornamental fish that is well-known around the world. Phenotype investigation indicated that there are no significant differences in appearance between males and females of the discus fish. To better understand the sexual development mechanisms and obtain a high efficiency sex identification method in the artificial reproduction process of the discus fish, we constructed six cDNA libraries from three adult testes and three adult ovaries, and perform RNA-sequencing for identifying sex-biased candidate genes, microRNA (miRNA), and metabolic pathway using the Illumina Hiseq 4000. A total of 50,082 non-redundant genes (unigenes) were identified, of which 18,570 unigenes were significantly overexpressed in testes, and 11,182 unigenes were significantly overexpressed in ovaries, and 8 differentially expressed unigenes were validated by quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR). A total of 551 miRNAs were identified, of which 47 miRNAs were differentially expressed between testes and ovaries, and 7 differentially expressed miRNAs and one non-differential miRNA were validated by qPCR. Twenty-four of these differentially expressed miRNAs and their 15 predicted target genes constituted 41 important miRNA-mRNA interaction pairs, which may be important candidates for sex-related miRNAs and sex-related genes in the discus fish. Some of vital sex-related metabolic pathways were also identified that may play key roles in regulating gonad development of the discus fish. These results can provide important insights to better understand molecular mechanisms for sexual dimorphism in gonads development.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Is a Risk for Macrosomia: Case- Control Study in Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Wakwoya Elias Bekele , Amante Tariku Dingeta , Tesema Kassahun Fikadu
Published: December 2018

Background - Gestational diabetes mellitus is any degree of glucose intolerance at onset or first recognition during pregnancy. A pregnant woman with diabetes and her unborn child are at increased risk of pregnancy complications and adverse neonatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the association of gestational diabetes mellitus and adverse birth outcomes among women who gave birth in Eastern Ethiopia.
Method – Unmatched case control study design was conducted in Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital and Dilchora Hospital from December 2015 to April 2017. This study involved a total of 1,834 mothers and their babies. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect the socio-demographic data. Mothers who had risk factor for gestational diabetes were screened by oral glucose tolerance tests. Adverse birth outcomes were observed and registered after delivery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify predictors of adverse birth outcome. P value less than 0.05 was considered to decide statistical significance.
Results: From a total of 1,834 mothers 47 (2.6%) of them were found to have gestational diabetes. In binary logistic regression analysis macrosomia and still were found to have an association with gestational diabetes, COR=11[95% CI = 5.7-21.2] and COR= 2.9[95% CI = 1.02-8.5] respectively. Macrosomia was independently associated with GDM and babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes. Babies born from mothers with gestational diabetes were 8.5 times more likely to have macrosomia than babies born to non-diabetic mothers, AOR = 8.5 [95% CI = 5.7-21.4].
Conclusion: This study revealed that only macrosomia was strongly associated with gestational diabetes and this finding is coherent with studies done at different parts of the world. Early screening and treatment of mothers with GDM can minimize the adverse birth outcomes, therefore routine screening service for pregnant women who are at risk of developing gestational diabetes must exist at all health facilities in Ethiopia.