bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of chemical reaction mechanism and NOx formation pathways on an inter-turbine burner
Authors: Perpignan A. A. V. , Gangoli Rao A.
Published: April 2019

One of the main challenges of future aircraft engines is to achieve low pollutant emissions while maintaining high combustion efficiencies and operability. The Flameless Combustion (FC) regime is pointed as one of the promising solutions due to its well-distributed reaction zones that yield low NOx emissions and oscillations. A dual-combustor configuration potentially facilitates the attainment of FC in the Inter-Turbine Burner (ITB). The development of such burner is dependent on knowledge regarding NOx formation and the parameters affecting it. It is known from the literature that the NOx formation mechanisms are different in FC. Therefore, in an attempt to clarify some of the mechanisms involved in NOx formation at relevant conditions, a chemical reactor network model developed to represent the ITB is explored. The role of prompt NOx was previously shown to be dominant at relatively low inlet temperatures and atmospheric pressure. In order to check these findings, five chemical reaction mechanisms were employed. All of them overpredicted NOx emissions and the overprediction is likely to be caused by the prompt NOx subset implemented in these mechanisms. Higher reactants temperatures and operational pressures were also investigated. Overall NOx emissions increased with temperature and the NOx peak moved to lower equivalence ratios. Operational pressure changed the emissions trend with global equivalence ratio. Leaner conditions had behaviour similar to that of conventional combustors (increase in NOx), while NOx dropped with further increase in equivalence ratio due to suppression of the prompt NOx production, as well as an increase in NO reburning. These trends highlight the differences between the emission behaviour of the ITB with those of a conventional combustion system.
THE BECKER–COASE THEOREM RECONSIDERED
Authors: Chiappori Pierre-Andre , Iyigun Murat , Weiss Yoram
Published: April 2019

We reconsider the well-known Becker–Coase (BC) theorem according to which changes in divorce law should not affect divorce rates. We do that in a context of households that consume public goods in addition to private goods. For the Becker–Coase theorem to hold in this setting, utility must be transferable both within marriage and upon divorce, and the marginal rate of substitution between public and private consumption needs to be invariant in marital status. We show that if divorce alters the way some goods are consumed (either because some goods that are public in marriage become private in divorce or because divorce affects either the marginal rate of substitution between public and private goods or even the cardinalization of a spouse’s utility), then the Becker–Coase theorem holds only for very specific preferences. We conclude that, in general, divorce laws will influence the divorce rate, although the impact of a change in divorce laws can go in either direction.
Dip-coating with a particulate suspension
Authors: Palma Sergio , Lhuissier Henri
Published: April 2019

The coating of a plate withdrawn from a bath of a suspension of non-Brownian, monodisperse and neutrally buoyant spherical particles suspended in a Newtonian liquid has been studied. Using laser profilometry, particle tracking and local sample weighing we have quantified the thickness $h$ and the particle content of the film for various particle diameters $d$ and volume fractions ($0.10\leqslant \unicode[STIX]{x1D719}\leqslant 0.50$). Three coating regimes have been observed as the withdrawal velocity is increased: (i) no particle entrainment ($h\lesssim d$), (ii) a monolayer of particles ($h\sim d$), and (iii) a thick film ($h\gtrsim d$), where the suspension behaves as an effective viscous fluid following the Landau–Levich–Derjaguin law. We discuss the boundaries between these regimes, as well as the evolution of the liquid and solid content of the coating over the whole range of withdrawal capillary number and volume fractions.
Walking on thin ice: the perception of tortious liability rules and the effect on altruistic behaviour
Authors: Peyer Sebastian , Heywood Rob
Published: April 2019

Laypeople are often deterred from undertaking altruistic acts, assuming that they face a risk of negligence liability should they injure others while helping. We argue that the laypeople's interpretation of the law does not correspond with the courts’ interpretation of negligence liability. Reviewing the case law, we demonstrate that the courts treat such cases with leniency in the spirit of the Compensation Act 2006, s 1 and the Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Act (SARAH) 2015, s 2. Thus, the negligence liability rules do not offer a sufficient explanation for the widely-held opinion that acts of altruism may give rise to liability. We hypothesise that the public's perception of legal rules is determined by a number of well-known biases and is not founded in the law itself. In the light of those biases, we contend that the function of the Compensation Act 2006, s 1 and SARAH 2015 does not lie in the substance but in their value as potential signals to reassure laypeople.
Fullness of crossed products of factors by discrete groups
Authors: Marrakchi Amine
Published: April 2019

Let M be an arbitrary factor and $\sigma : \Gamma \curvearrowright M$ an action of a discrete group. In this paper, we study the fullness of the crossed product $M \rtimes _\sigma \Gamma $. When Γ is amenable, we obtain a complete characterization: the crossed product factor $M \rtimes _\sigma \Gamma $ is full if and only if M is full and the quotient map $\overline {\sigma } : \Gamma \rightarrow {\rm out}(M)$ has finite kernel and discrete image. This answers the question of Jones from [11]. When M is full and Γ is arbitrary, we give a sufficient condition for $M \rtimes _\sigma \Gamma $ to be full which generalizes both Jones' criterion and Choda's criterion. In particular, we show that if M is any full factor (possibly of type III) and Γ is a non-inner amenable group, then the crossed product $M \rtimes _\sigma \Gamma $ is full.
Les él i tes du haut Moyen Âge
Authors: Bougard François , Bührer-Thierry Geneviève , Jan Régine Le
Published: April 2019

Réfléchir aux statuts qui caractérisent les sociétés du haut Moyen Âge suppose de sortir d’une classification juridique et de recourir à des notions issues de la sociologie politique : ainsi le concept d’élites permet-il de prendre en considération tous ceux qui jouissent d’une position sociale élevée au sein de leur communauté, que ce soit par leur fortune, leur pouvoir ou leur culture. S’appuyant sur les sources textuelles et archéologiques, l’historien peut; tenter de repérer les processus de distinction et de reconnaissance sociale qui caractérisent les élites tout au long du haut Moyen Âge (VIe-XIesiècle). L’époque carolingienne montre des signes de hiérarchisation croissante, engendrant des stratégies mises au point tant par les individus que par les groupes, afin de conforter leurs positions et d’empêcher un éventuel déclassement. Les processus de mobilité sociale permettent aussi de proposer une mise en perspective chronologique et régionale, en variant les échelles au sein desélites, tout en se gardant d’une analyse trop structurelle.
Development of a cancer pain self-management resource to address patient, provider, and health system barriers to care
Authors: Luckett Tim , Davidson Patricia M. , Green Anna , Marie Natalie , Birch Mary-Rose , Stubbs John , Phillips Jane , Agar Meera , Boyle Frances , Lovell Melanie
Published: April 2019

Objective

The majority of self-management interventions are designed with a narrow focus on patient skills and fail to consider their potential as “catalysts” for improving care delivery. A project was undertaken to develop a patient self-management resource to support evidence-based, person-centered care for cancer pain and overcome barriers at the levels of the patient, provider, and health system.

Method

The project used a mixed-method design with concurrent triangulation, including the following: a national online survey of current practice; two systematic reviews of cancer pain needs and education; a desktop review of online patient pain diaries and other related resources; consultation with stakeholders; and interviews with patients regarding acceptability and usefulness of a draft resource.

Result

Findings suggested that an optimal self-management resource should encourage pain reporting, build patients’ sense of control, and support communication with providers and coordination between services. Each of these characteristics was identified as important in overcoming established barriers to cancer pain care. A pain self-management resource was developed to include: (1) a template for setting specific, measureable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goals of care, as well as identifying potential obstacles and ways to overcome these; and (2) a pain management plan detailing exacerbating and alleviating factors, current strategies for management, and contacts for support.

Significance of results

Self-management resources have the potential for addressing barriers not only at the patient level, but also at provider and health system levels. A cluster randomized controlled trial is under way to test effectiveness of the resource designed in this project in combination with pain screening, audit and feedback, and provider education. More research of this kind is needed to understand how interventions at different levels can be optimally combined to overcome barriers and improve care.
Identifying Fe I Levels from Stellar Spectra
Authors: Peterson Ruth C.
Published: April 2019

The spectrum of the Fe I atom is critical to many areas of astrophysics and beyond. Measurements of the energies of its high-lying levels remain seriously incomplete. Here we update the work by Peterson & Kurucz (2015) to identify such levels using new and archival high-resolution absorption-line UV and optical spectra of stars whose warm temperatures favor Fe I lines. Our GO-14161 Hubble program will obtain UV spectra for four metal-poor turnoff stars, archive them at ASTRAL, and draw from them the new identifications of 250 – 500 Fe I levels.
Atomic Oscillator Strengths for Atmospheric Models
Authors: Pickering Juliet C. , Ruffoni Matthew
Published: April 2019

We report new laboratory measurements of atomic oscillator strengths (log gfs) for stellar atmosphere models.
Improved and Expanded Near-IR Oscillator Strengths for Fe-group Elements
Authors: Wood Michael P. , Nave Gillian , Sneden Chris
Published: April 2019

Modern experimental techniques, including LIF lifetime and FTS branching fraction measurements, have increased the reliability of atomic transition probabilities in the UV and visible. However, this combination is problematic in the increasingly important IR region, resulting in a significant gap between the capabilities to record new astronomical spectra and the data needed to sufficiently analyze them. To aid in closing this gap, we are incorporating alternative techniques to measure sets of Fe-group oscillator strengths in the near-IR.
New laboratory atomic data for neutral, singly, and doubly ionised iron group elements for astrophysics applications
Authors: Pickering Juliet C. , Nave Gillian , Liggins Florence , Clear Christian , Ruffoni Matthew , Sansonetti Craig
Published: April 2019

We report new measurements of atomic data for the neutral, singly and doubly ionised iron group element spectra for modern astrophysics applications.
A systematic and detailed investigation of radiative rates for forbidden transitions of astrophysical interest in doubly ionized iron peak elements
Authors: Quinet Pascal , Fivet Vanessa , Bautista Manuel
Published: April 2019

We carried out a systematic study of the electronic structure of doubly-ionized Fe-peak species, from Sc III to Ni III. The magnetic dipole (M1) and electric quadrupole (E2) transition probabilities were computed using the pseudo-relativistic Hartree-Fock (HFR) method and the central Thomas-Fermi-Dirac-Amaldi potential approximation implemented in the AUTOSTRUCTURE code. This multi-platform approach allowed for consistency checks and intercomparison and has proven very useful in many previous works for estimating the uncertainties affecting the radiative data.
SO2 and CO2 IR line lists for atmospheric modeling on Venus and Exoplanets
Authors: Huang Xinchuan , Schwenke David W. , Lee Timothy J.
Published: April 2019

Highly accurate IR line lists are ready for 13 CO2 isotopologues and 7 SO2 isotopologues. Ames-296K IR lists carry 0.01 - 0.03 cm−1 accuracy up to 13,000 cm−1 for CO2 and 5500 cm−1 for SO2, and 90–95% intensity agreement for most observable bands. Good for atmospheric modeling on Venus and Exoplanets.
Absorption and Laser Induced Fluorescence Spectroscopy of Neutral Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Argon matrices
Authors: Bejaoui Salma , Salama Farid , Sciamma-O'Brien Ella
Published: April 2019

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered as plausible carriers for the extended red emission (ERE), a photoluminescent process associated with a wide variety of interstellar environments, as well as for broad emission band features seen in cometary spectra. We report the absorption spectra of phenanthrene, anthracene, fluoranthene, pentacene, pyrene, chrysene and triphenylene isolated at 10 K in solid argon matrices together with laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra at 355 nm of matrix-isolated anthracene and fluoranthene. LIF spectra are compared with the UV/blue fluorescence spectra of the Red Rectangle Nebula (RR). The LIF spectra measured in solid Ar matrices have been shifted to the predicted position of the PAH band emission in the gas phase for comparison with the astronomical observations (Fig. 1).
Line surveys of irradiated protostars: Photo-destruction and evaporation
Authors: Lindberg Johan E. , Charnley Steven B. , Jørgensen Jes K. , Watanabe Yoshimasa , Bisschop Suzanne E. , Sakai Nami , Yamamoto Satoshi
Published: April 2019

Submillimetre observations of the externally irradiated protostar R CrA IRS7B show that this source has dramatically different chemical abundances in comparison with otherwise similar embedded protostars not subject to external irradiation.
Infrared spectroscopy in the C–H stretching region towards embedded high-mass young stellar objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Authors: Shimonishi Takashi , Dartois Emmanuel , Onaka Takashi , Boulanger François
Published: April 2019

We report the results of infrared spectroscopic observations of embedded high-mass young stellar objects in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The CH3OH ice absorption band as well as the 3.47 μm absorption band are detected toward the embedded sources in the LMC. The properties of these spectral bands in the low metallicity environment are investigated based on comparisons with Galactic embedded sources.
Entoto Twining Telescopes: first facilities in East Africa for astronomy research
Authors: Tessema Solomon Belay , Berdnikov Leonid
Published: April 2019

Recently Entoto observatory and research Center launched two 1-m twining telescopes, located on the Entoto mountain in the suburb of Addis Ababa. These telescopes, equipped with four CCDs and echelle spectrograph, will be used for observations of the different types of variable stars, X-ray binaries, double stars, star clusters, exo-planets etc.
Veränderungen in den Skalen Bindung und Steuerung der Achse Struktur der Operationalisierten Psychodynamischen Diagnostik im Kindes- und Jugendalter (OPD-KJ) bei stationären Patienten einer Klinik für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie
Authors: Escher Fabian , Inge Seiffge-Krenke , Christodoulakis Ioannis , Ulrich Müller-Knapp
Published: April 2019

Zusammenfassung. Trotz der hohen Bedeutung, die strukturelle Störungen bei kinder- und jugendpsychiatrischen Patienten haben, fehlen Studien zu deren Veränderung im Verlauf stationärer psychiatrischer Behandlung. Im Rahmen einer Studie zur Wirksamkeit stationärer psychodynamischer Psychotherapie wurden die Dimensionen Steuerung und Bindung der Achse Struktur der Operationalisierten Psychodynamischen Diagnostik im Kindes- und Jugendalter (OPD-KJ) durch das fallführende Tandem (Psychotherapeut und Pädagoge/Pfleger) an 75 Patienten (12–18 Jahre) zu Therapiebeginn und -ende einer 8-wöchigen Behandlung erhoben. Die Zusammenhänge zwischen den Subdimensionen wurden anhand von Interkorrelationen untersucht. Anschließend wurden für die jeweils vier Subdimensionen von Bindung und Steuerung Varianzanalysen mit Messwiederholung (RM-ANOVAs) berechnet, um zu prüfen, ob sich die unterschiedlichen Subdimensionen der Steuerung und Bindung veränderten und wenn ja in welchem Ausmaß. Abschließend wurden Varianzanalysen mit Messwiederholung mit den Zwischensubjektfaktoren Alter, Geschlecht und Diagnose berechnet, um zu prüfen, inwiefern diese Faktoren einen Einfluss auf den Verlauf der beiden Strukturdimensionen hatten. Es zeigte sich, dass sich sowohl die Bindung als auch die Steuerung der Jugendlichen im Laufe der Behandlung verbesserte. Diagnosespezifisch zeigte sich lediglich eine Verbesserung für Jugendliche mit affektiven Störungen und Phobien, nicht jedoch für Jugendliche mit emotionalen und Verhaltensstörungen mit Beginn in der Kindheit und Jugend. Implikationen für Forschung und klinische Praxis werden diskutiert.
Antarctica’s Seasonal Streams Contribute Iron to the Ross Sea
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: April 2019

Analysis of nutrient concentrations in four streams that discharge to the Southern Ocean indicates they are important sources of iron and phosphorous for coastal phytoplankton communities.
Podcast: Celebrate Earth Day with Stories from AGU
Authors: Speiser Joshua
Published: April 2019

Enjoy the wonders of our world with special episodes of AGU’s Third Pod from the Sun.
Migrating Bedforms Generated by Solitary Waves
Authors: La Forgia Giovanni , Adduce Claudia , Falcini Federico , Paola Chris
Published: April 2019

We present experimental results on the formation of streamwise asymmetric, migrating bedforms resulting from the transition of successive surface solitary waves (SSW) interacting with an initially flat sandy bottom. We analyze seven cases, with differing ratios between SSW height and water depth. For each experiment, we generated 400 SSWs having the same features, investigating their effects on the bed, in terms of near‐bed velocity and erosional patterns. Our work proves that SSWs can generate asymmetric bedforms, similar in shape to dunes. The triggering process occurs in the region where the reverse flow induced by bottom boundary layer separation produces local erosion. The action of successive SSWs over the newly formed discontinuities gives rise to bedforms. Differently from steady flows, dune load decreases for larger wave‐induced bottom shear stress.
Magneto-transport in inverted HgTe quantum wells
Authors: Yahniuk Ivan , Krishtopenko Sergey S. , Grabecki Grzegorz , Jouault Benoit , Consejo Christophe , Desrat Wilfried , Majewicz Magdalena , Kadykov Alexander M. , Spirin Kirill E. , Gavrilenko Vladimir I. , Mikhailov Nikolay N. , Dvoretsky Sergey A. , But Dmytro B. , Teppe Frederic , Wróbel Jerzy , Cywiński Grzegorz , Kret Sławomir , Dietl Tomasz , Knap Wojciech
Published: April 2019

HgTe quantum wells (QWs) are two-dimensional semiconductor systems that change their properties at the critical thickness dc, corresponding to the band inversion and topological phase transition. The motivation of this work was to study magnetotransport properties of HgTe QWs with thickness approaching dc, and examine them as potential candidates for quantum Hall effect (QHE) resistance standards. We show that in the case of d > dc (inverted QWs), the quantization is influenced by coexistence of topological helical edge states and QHE chiral states. However, at d ≈ dc, where QW states exhibit a graphene-like band structure, an accurate Hall resistance quantization in low magnetic fields (B ≤ 1.4 T) and at relatively high temperatures (T ≥ 1.3 K) may be achieved. We observe wider and more robust quantized QHE plateaus for holes, which suggests—in accordance with the “charge reservoir” model—a pinning of the Fermi level in the valence band region. Our analysis exhibits advantages and drawbacks of HgTe QWs for quantum metrology applications, as compared to graphene and GaAs counterparts.
Remote imaging of single cell 3D morphology with ultrafast coherent phonons and their resonance harmonics
Authors: Liu Liwang , Viel Alexis , Le Saux Guillaume , Plawinski Laurent , Muggiolu Giovanna , Barberet Philippe , Pereira Marco , Ayela Cédric , Seznec Hervé , Durrieu Marie-Christine , Olive Jean-Marc , Audoin Bertrand
Published: April 2019

Cell morphological analysis has long been used in cell biology and physiology for abnormality identification, early cancer detection, and dynamic change analysis under specific environmental stresses. This work reports on the remote mapping of cell 3D morphology with an in-plane resolution limited by optics and an out-of-plane accuracy down to a tenth of the optical wavelength. For this, GHz coherent acoustic phonons and their resonance harmonics were tracked by means of an ultrafast opto-acoustic technique. After illustrating the measurement accuracy with cell-mimetic polymer films we map the 3D morphology of an entire osteosarcoma cell. The resulting image complies with the image obtained by standard atomic force microscopy, and both reveal very close roughness mean values. In addition, while scanning macrophages and monocytes, we demonstrate an enhanced contrast of thickness mapping by taking advantage of the detection of high-frequency resonance harmonics. Illustrations are given with the remote quantitative imaging of the nucleus thickness gradient of migrating monocyte cells.
Complex effects of atmospheric parameters on acute cardiovascular diseases and major cardiovascular risk factors: data from the CardiometeorologySM study
Authors: Boussoussou Nora , Boussoussou Melinda , Merész Gergő , Rakovics Márton , Entz László , Nemes Attila
Published: April 2019

Several studies have examined the cardiovascular effects of atmospheric parameters as separate factors; however, few have investigated atmospheric parameters’ joint effects. We aim to explore the joint effects of atmospheric parameters on acute cardiovascular diseases (ACVDs) and on major cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs). We correlated all ACVD admissions with major CRFs and local atmospheric conditions during a 5-year study period. A seasonal variation was detected in a higher incidence rate during cold atmospheric conditions. There were significant incidence relative ratios, including: 1.140 (95% CI [1.020, 1.283]) for daily temperature change (≥5 °C); 0.991 (95% CI [0.988, 0.994]) for average daily temperature; and 1.290 (95% CI [1.090, 1.599]) for the interaction of daily temperature change (≥5 °C) with humidity change (≥40%). We observed a significant association between the atmospheric parameters’ joint effects and hyperlipidaemia, diabetes, and previous ACVDs. Patients with diabetes had the highest significant incidence relative ratio at 2.429 (95% CI [1.088, 5.424]) for humidity-temperature interactions. Thus, the atmospheric parameters’ joint effects play an important role as minor CRFs. These unfavourable atmospheric situations are predicted to increase the number of ACVDs mainly. Our study may help to organize prevention strategies more effectively and to reduce cardiovascular risks.
Genome-wide DNA methylation analysis in obese women predicts an epigenetic signature for future endometrial cancer
Authors: Nagashima Masaru , Miwa Naofumi , Hirasawa Hajime , Katagiri Yukiko , Takamatsu Ken , Morita Mineto
Published: April 2019

Aberrant DNA methylation is associated with the oncogenesis of a variety of human cancers, including endometrial cancer (EC), the seventh most common cancer among women. Obesity is known to be a high-risk factor for EC; however, whether obesity influences DNA methylation in the presymptomatic uterus and if this influences EC development remain unclear. Here, we performed genome-wide DNA methylation analysis of isolated endometrial epithelial cells obtained from obese presymptomatic participants. Using the Illumina MethylationEPIC array (850 K), we identified 592 differentially methylated regions (DMRs), most of which undergo hypomethylated changes. These DMRs were enriched for pyrimidine metabolism, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and B cell signaling pathways, indicating obesity-related dysregulation of certain metabolic processes in the presymptomatic uterus. Comparison of the DMRs with those in stage I EC revealed that 54 DMRs overlapped; additionally, B cell signaling and Epstein-Barr virus infection pathways were shared between the presymptomatic uterus of obese women and stage I EC with greater hypomethylation in women with EC than in presymptomatic obese women. These findings indicated that obesity influences DNA methylation in presymptomatic endometrial epithelial cells, and persistent dysregulation of DNA methylation in obese women may result in EC development.
The relationship between thyroid dysfunction and nephrotic syndrome: a clinicopathological study
Authors: Li Ling-Zhi , Hu Yao , Ai Shuang-Lan , Cheng Lu , Liu Jing , Morris Emily , Li Yi , Gou Shen-Ju , Fu Ping
Published: April 2019

Abnormalities of thyroid function are common in patients with nephrotic syndrome (NS). However, a limited number of studies have reported on the association between clinicopathologic features and thyroid dysfunction in patients with NS. We retrospectively studied 317 patients who had been definitively diagnosed with NS. The NS patients with thyroid dysfunction showed higher urine protein, creatinine and lipid levels and lower albumin and hemoglobin than those with normal thyroid function, with no significant differences of pathological types. After dividing thyroid dysfunction groups into five subgroups, interestingly, membranous nephropathy was the most common pathologic type, both in normal thyroid group and in subclinical hypothyroidism group (40.4% and 46.7%, respectively), followed by minimal change disease (28.1% and 21.7%, respectively); while in the hypothyroid, low T3, and low T3T4 groups minimal change disease is now the leading type (48.8%, 33.3% and 38.6%, respectively). High levels of urinary protein, creatinine, cholesterol, and platelets were independent risk factors predicting thyroid dysfunction, while higher albumin and hemoglobin were protective factors. We demonstrated that the type of renal pathology was different among NS patients in different thyroid dysfunction subgroups. Interpretation of the interactions between thyroid and renal function is a challenge for clinicians involved in the treatment of patients with NS.
Iroquois transcription factor irx2a is required for multiciliated and transporter cell fate decisions during zebrafish pronephros development
Authors: Marra Amanda N. , Cheng Christina N. , Adeeb Basma , Addiego Amanda , Wesselman Hannah M. , Chambers Brooke E. , Chambers Joseph M. , Wingert Rebecca A.
Published: April 2019

The genetic regulation of nephron patterning during kidney organogenesis remains poorly understood. Nephron tubules in zebrafish are composed of segment populations that have unique absorptive and secretory roles, as well as multiciliated cells (MCCs) that govern fluid flow. Here, we report that the transcription factor iroquois 2a (irx2a) is requisite for zebrafish nephrogenesis. irx2a transcripts localized to the developing pronephros and maturing MCCs, and loss of function altered formation of two segment populations and reduced MCC number. Interestingly, irx2a deficient embryos had reduced expression of an essential MCC gene ets variant 5a (etv5a), and were rescued by etv5a overexpression, supporting the conclusion that etv5a acts downstream of irx2a to control MCC ontogeny. Finally, we found that retinoic acid (RA) signaling affects the irx2a expression domain in renal progenitors, positioning irx2a downstream of RA. In sum, this work reveals new roles for irx2a during nephrogenesis, identifying irx2a as a crucial connection between RA signaling, segmentation, and the control of etv5a mediated MCC formation. Further investigation of the genetic players involved in these events will enhance our understanding of the molecular pathways that govern renal development, which can be used help create therapeutics to treat congenital and acquired kidney diseases.
Li-Ion solvation in propylene carbonate electrolytes determined by molecular rotational measurements
Authors: Jiang Haotian , Zhang Qi , Zhang Yutong , Sui Laizhi , Wu Guorong , Yuan Kaijun , Yang Xueming
Published: April 2019

We report the solvation structure of Li+ in LiPF6–PC solutions using ultrafast vibrational spectroscopy. The results illustrate the salt concentration-dependent solvation structures, in accordance with the variation of ion conductivity.
Tuning of the surface plasmon resonance of aluminum nanoshell near-infrared regimes
Authors: Pathak Nilesh Kumar , Parthasarathi Parthasarathi , Kumar P. Senthil , Sharma R. P.
Published: April 2019

The analysis of optical properties of aluminium metal nanoshell using semi-analytical and numerical approach.
Signal improvement using circular polarization for focused femtosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Qiuyun , Chen Anmin , Xu Wanpeng , Li Suyu , Jiang Yuanfei , Jin Mingxing
Published: April 2019

The spectral intensity of plasma produced by focused femtosecond laser with circular polarization is higher than that with linear polarization.
Monitoring the morphological evolution in mixed-dimensional lead bromide perovskite films with lamellar-stacked perovskite nanoplatelets
Authors: Wang Rui , Tong Yu , Wang Kun , Xia Senlin , Kentzinger Emmanuel , Soltwedel Olaf , Müller-Buschbaum Peter , Frielinghaus Henrich
Published: April 2019

The formation of 3D lead bromide perovskite crystals and the self-assembly of lamellar-stacked 2D perovskite nanoplatelets are comprehensively studied.
Fabrication of glucose-responsive and biodegradable copolymer membrane for controlled release of insulin at physiological pH
Authors: Shen Yi , Xu Zhangting , Li Lulin , Yuan Weizhong , Luo Ming , Xie Xiaoyun
Published: April 2019

A PCL-b-PPBDEMA copolymer membrane can be used as an intelligent carrier to achieve the controlled release of insulin by adjusting the glucose concentration.
Synthesis of cyclic gem-dinitro compounds via radical nitration of 1,6-diynes with Fe(NO3)3·9H2O
Authors: Yi Xiaofei , Chen Kai , Chen Wei , Chen Wanzhi , Liu Miaochang , Wu Huayue
Published: April 2019

Cyclic gem-dinitro compounds were obtained via nitration of 1,6-diynes using Fe(NO3)3·9H2O as the nitrating agent.
Diversity of mechanisms in Ras–GAP catalysis of guanosine triphosphate hydrolysis revealed by molecular modeling
Authors: Grigorenko Bella L. , Kots Ekaterina D. , Nemukhin Alexander V.
Published: April 2019

Different mechanisms of GTP hydrolysis by Ras–GAP are revealed in QM/MM simulations depending on molecular groups at position 61 in Ras.
Pristimerin inhibits glioma progression by targeting AGO2 and PTPN1 expression via miR-542-5p
Authors: Li Zaiyu , Hu Cong , Zhen Yu , Pang Bo , Yi Huanfa , Chen Xianglin
Published: April 2019

Glioblastoma multiform is the most common and malignant primary tumor of the central nervous system in adults, the high recurrence rate and poor prognosis are critical priorities. Pristimerin is a naturally occurring quinone methide triterpenoid isolated from the Celastraceae and Hippocrateaceae families. Its anticancer effects have garnered considerable attention; nonetheless, the mechanisms of action remain unknown. To predict the hub genes of pristimerin, PharmMapper and the Coremine database were used to identify 13 potential protein targets; protein–protein interaction, for which functional enrichment analyses were performed. Compound-target, target-pathway, and compound-target-pathway networks were constructed using Cytoscape. Biological process analysis first revealed that enrichment of these target genes correlated with negative regulation of symbiont growth in the host, and regulation of chronic inflammatory response to antigenic stimulus. Survival analysis in cBioPortal showed that protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 1 (PTPN1) and Argonaute 2 (AGO2) might be involved in the carcinogenesis, invasion, or recurrence of diffuse glioma. In addition, we observed that low-dose pristimerin inhibited the viability of glioma cells, while miR-542-5p in vitro; and reduced PTPN1 expression. Notably, high-dose pristimerin induced apoptosis. Furthermore, miR-542-5p silence with siRNA in glioma cells lead to the elevation in AGO2, and decreased PTPN1 level. The effect was obviously post pristimerin treatment and miR-542-5p suppression. In conclusion, pristimerin inhibited glioma progression through AGO2 and PTPN1 expression via a canonical miRNA-mediated mechanism.
LncRNA CASC2 is up-regulated in osteoarthritis and participates in the regulation of IL-17 expression and chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis
Authors: Huang Tao , Wang Jian , Zhou Yuan , Zhao Yi , Hang Donghua , Cao Yun
Published: April 2019

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) CASC2 is a key player in cancer biology. Our new findings showed that both lncRNA CASC2 and IL-17 were up-regulated in plasma of osteoarthritis patients. Plasma levels of lncRNA CASC2 and IL-17 were significantly and positive correlated only in osteoarthritis patients. Overexpression of lncRNA CASC2 led to up-regulated expression of IL-17 in cells of human chondrocyte cell line CHON-001 (ATCC® CRL-2846™). In addition, overexpression of lncRNA CASC2 inhibited the proliferation, and promoted the apoptosis of chondrocyte. Therefore, lncRNA CASC2 is up-regulated in osteoarthritis and participates in the regulation of IL-17 expression and chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis.
TGF-β prevents the denervation-induced reduction of bone formation and promotes the bone regeneration through inhibiting ubiquitin-proteasome pathway
Authors: Yu Zhen , Li Ye , Wang Yining , Chen Yuting , Wu Mengfan , Wang Zijue , Song Minkai , Lu Feng , Lu Xiaohe , Dong Ziqing
Published: April 2019

Background: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) can stimulate osteogenesis as a multifunctional protein. The present study was to explore if TGF-β can prevent denervation-induced reduction of bone formation.

Materials & methods: The 6-week-old male mice were treated with recombinant human TGF-β1 (rhTGF-β1). Bone formation, endochondral bone growth rates, and gene expression of osteoblast markers were measured in the skeletal tissue by real-time PCR.

Results: RhTGF-β1 treatment prevented the denervation-induced decrease in bone formation rates, endochondral growth, and expression of Cbfa1/Runx2 (runt-related transcription factor 2), Ostecalcin (OC), and ColIA1. TGF-β1 partially inhibited the denervation-induced ubiquitination of Cbfa1/Runx2 in mouse cancellous bones via ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

Conclusion: TGF-β prevents denervation-induced reduction of bone formation and promotes the bone regeneration through inhibiting ubiquitin-proteasome pathway at least partially.
LncRNA TP73-AS1 down-regulates miR-139-3p to promote retinoblastoma cell proliferation
Authors: Xia Zhaoxia , Yang Xiaoxi , Wu Shuduan , Feng Zhizhen , Qu Lei , Chen Xianghua , Liu Linyu , Ma Yanling
Published: April 2019

Our study aimed to investigate the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA) TP73-AS1 in retinoblastoma (Rb). In the present study, we found that TP73-AS1 was up-regulated, while miR-139–3p was down-regulated in Rb. TP73-AS1 and miR-139-3p were inversely correlated in Rb tissues. In cells of Rb cell lines, overexpression of miR-139-3p failed to affect TP73-AS1, while TP73-AS1 overexpression caused the down-regulated miR-139-3p. TP73-AS1 overexpression caused promoted proliferation of Rb cells but showed no significant effects on cell migration and invasion. miR-139-3p overexpression played an opposite role and attenuated the effects of TP73-AS1 overexpression. Therefore, lncRNA TP73-AS1 may down-regulate miR-139-3p to promote Rb cell proliferation.
Relationship between neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio and short-term prognosis in the chronic obstructive pulmonary patients with acute exacerbation
Authors: Liu Jia , Liu Jie , Zou Yong
Published: April 2019

We retrospectively collected data from a large sample size of population and explore the relationship between neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and adverse outcomes, and assessed the clinical prognostic utility of NLR in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary patients with acute exacerbation (AECOPD). We reviewed 3 years medical case records, 622 patients were identified including 48 died and 574 alive. Compared with alive group, the died group had significantly elevated neutrophils, lymphocyte, and NLR level (P<0.001). The high-sensitive C-protein level of died group was also higher compared with alive group (7.48 ± 4.2 vs 1.26 ± 0.56, vs P<0.001). The univariate logistic regression indicated that elevated NLR level was associated with the increased of adverse outcome (odds ratio [OR] = 4.59, 95% CI: 2.27–8.94, P<0.001). After adjusted potential confounding factors, the elevated NLR level was still associated with adverse outcomes in the chronic obstructive pulmonary patients with acute exacerbation (OR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.21–3.48, P=0.008). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for death at 90 days was 0.742 (95% CI: 0.554–0.881). NLR cutoff of >4.19 had a sensitivity of 71.4% and specificity of 74.2%. Our results suggested that NLR, as a rapid, inexpensive and easily obtained blood routine index was associated with short-term adverse outcomes in patients with AECOPD. The elevated NLR predicted the increased the risk of 90-day mortality in patients with AECOPD.
Prenatal cold exposure causes hypertension in offspring by hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system
Authors: Chen Ken , Sun Dongdong , Qu Shuang , Chen Yue , Wang Jialiang , Zhou Lin , Jose Pedro A. , Yang Yongjian , Zeng Chunyu
Published: April 2019

Environmental temperature plays a role in the variation of blood pressure. Maternal cold stress could affect the physiological phenotype of the offspring, including blood pressure elevation. In the present study, we found that adult offspring of dams exposed to cold have increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and decreased urine volume and sodium excretion, accompanied by increased heart rate and heart rate variability, secondary to increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Renal denervation or adrenergic receptor blockade decreased blood pressure and increased sodium excretion. The increase in peripheral sympathetic nerve activity can be ascribed to the central nervous system because administration of clonidine, a centrally acting α2 adrenergic receptor agonist, lowered blood pressure to a greater degree in the prenatal cold-exposed than control offspring. Moreover, these prenatal cold-exposed offspring had hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) disorder because magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed decreased N-acetylaspartate and increased choline and creatine ratios in the PVN. Additional studies found that prenatal cold exposure impaired the balance between inhibitory and excitatory neurons. This led to PVN overactivation that was related to enhanced PVN-angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor expression and function. Microinjection of the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan in the PVN lowered blood pressure to a greater extent in prenatal cold-exposed that control offspring. The present study provides evidence for overactive peripheral and central sympathetic nervous systems in the pathogenesis of prenatal cold-induced hypertension. Central AT1 receptor blockade in the PVN may be a key step for treatment of this type hypertension.
Design of adaptive threshold control algorithm based on real‐time CPU operation patterns for mobile devices
Authors: Cho H.H. , Eun C.M. , Jeong O.H.
Published: April 2019

Thermal problems in conventional mobile devices are primarily managed by using software‐based techniques due to compact sizes and limited power budgets. Since these software‐based techniques incur inevitable performance degradation to reduce temperature, efficient thermal management techniques are essential for modern mobile devices. In this letter, the authors propose a novel control algorithm, which adaptively controls the threshold based on the power efficiency of mobile CPUs in real‐time. The authors validate the thermal mitigation capability and system performance of their proposed scheme using a commercial smartphone. The evaluation results indicate that the proposed scheme reduces the CPU and PCB temperature by 1.20 and 1.38%, respectively, and simultaneously improves overall system performance by 5.44%.
Maximum likelihood gradient‐based iterative estimation for multivariable systems
Authors: Xia Huafeng , Yang Yongqing , Ding Feng , Xu Ling , Hayat Tasawar
Published: April 2019

This study concerns the parameter identification issues for a class of multivariable systems with moving average noise. The main contributions are to transform a multivariable system into several subsystems for reducing the computational complexity by means of the decomposition technique and to deal with the coloured noise for improving the estimation accuracy by using the maximum likelihood principle and the iterative estimation theory. As the maximum likelihood gradient‐based iterative algorithm makes sufficient use of all the observed data at each iteration, the parameter estimation accuracy can be enhanced. The numerical simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm has faster convergence rates and better tracking performance than the compared multivariable extended stochastic gradient algorithm.
Multi‐cue combination network for action‐based video classification
Authors: Tian Yan , Cao Yifan , Wu Jiachen , Hu Wei , Song Chao , Yang Tao
Published: April 2019

Action‐based video classification (or video‐based action recognition) is an active research area in computer vision. However, all currently utilised action‐based video classification approaches take spatial and temporal components into consideration while acoustic features (e.g. sound and speech) are neglected. In this study, the authors propose a novel approach to combine multiple cues (i.e. both visual and acoustic information) for action‐based video classification. Additionally, they introduce dense connections into their three‐stream network to address the gradient vanishing problem. Experimental results in the Kinetics Human Action Video data set and the Kinetics‐Sounds data set shows that their approach can effectively improve the accuracy in action‐based video classification.
GenCo's mid‐term optimal operation analysis: interaction of wind farm, gas turbine, and energy storage systems in electricity and natural gas markets
Authors: Ansari Mostafa , Latify Mohammad Amin , Reza Yousefi Gholam
Published: April 2019

In this study, optimised and coordinated operation planning of a generation company's (GenCo's) generation portfolio consisting of a wind farm, a gas turbine, and energy storage systems [battery and natural gas (NG) energy storage systems] is modelled. In this model, all the electrical energy (EE) and NG trades are performed through long‐term contracts and spot markets in a deregulated environment. It is assumed that EE is traded through day‐ahead market and bilateral contracts while NG is traded via a daily spot market in conjunction with baseline and intra‐day mid‐term contracts. The proposed framework enables the GenCo to maximise its profit in operation planning horizon by coordinating different types of contracts and energy arbitrage. The operation planning model is presented as a mixed‐integer linear programming problem. Five case studies are implemented in GAMS software to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed model and analyse different factors affecting benefits of the GenCo.
SR‐based chance‐constrained economic dispatch for power systems with wind power
Authors: Qin Chao , Zeng Yuan
Published: April 2019

In this study, the authors present a chance‐constrained economic dispatch model for power systems with the integration of wind power. In the proposed model, the automatic generation control (AGC) regulation is adopted to compensate for the power variations caused by the forecast errors of wind power and load. Moreover, the power flow limits and the transient stability constraints under contingencies are formulated as chance constraints through the security region (SR) approach. On the basis of the hyper‐plane characteristics of the boundaries of SR, the chance constraints of power flow limits and transient stability limits are converted to equivalent deterministic linear inequalities. The proposed method can assure that there is enough reserve capacity in the dispatch solution to accommodate the power variations caused by wind power and load, and the branch power flow limits and the transient stability constraints under uncertain power injections and contingencies are satisfied with a high probability. Numerical tests show that the proposed method has well‐convergence property and computational efficiency and it serves as a useful tool for power dispatchers to identify a balance between economics and robustness of power system operation.
Video retargeting based on SH equalisation and seam carving
Authors: Hsin Hsi‐Chin
Published: April 2019

This study presents an efficient algorithm for video retargeting in the saliency histogram (SH) domain. It divides video frames into mesh quads based on the SH and reforms mesh grids at a quad level to fit the dimensions of a screen. Specifically, the first frame of a scene is retargeted by using the SH equalisation‐seam carving (SHE‐SC) algorithm, and the rest of the frames are classified into two types based on the content difference between consecutive frames, and then retargeted using different schemes. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is preferable to other existing algorithms.
Band selection of hyperspectral image by sparse manifold clustering
Authors: Das Samiran , Bhattacharya Shubhobrata , Routray Aurobinda , Kani Deb Alok
Published: April 2019

Band selection of hyperspectral images is an optimal feature selection method, which aims at reducing the computational burden associated with processing the whole data. The significant and informative bands identified by the band selection process lead to efficient, compact representation of the image data and produce a satisfactory performance in the succeeding applications viz. classification, unmixing, target detection and so on. In this study, the authors present an unsupervised manifold clustering approach for band selection, which accounts for different types of scenarios. Unlike other band selection approaches, the authors’ proposed manifold clustering framework identifies the informative bands by utilising the interrelation between the bands and accounts for the multi‐manifold structure prevalent in some real images. The proposed band selection framework identifies the optimal number of clusters by cluster validity index, clusters the bands by manifold clustering and select representative bands from each cluster according to graph weight. Their proposed manifold clustering approach is a generic clustering approach, which produces a satisfactory result even when the data contains non‐linearity. The information theoretic performance measures, classification and unmixing performance on real image experiments demonstrate the proficiency of their proposed band selection algorithm.