bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Silver nanoparticle-immobilized porous POM/PLLA nanofibrous membranes: efficient catalysts for reduction of 4-nitroaniline
Authors: Liang Yuanyuan , Lin Chuanxin , Guan Jipeng , Li Yongjin
Published: January 2017

Silver nanoparticle-immobilized porous POM/PLLA NFMs were successfully prepared and used as efficient catalysts for the reduction of 4-nitroaniline.
Targeting selenium nanoparticles combined with baicalin to treat HBV-infected liver cancer
Authors: Fang Xueyang , Wu Xianlin , Li Chang'e , Zhou Binwei , Chen Xiaoyin , Chen Tianfeng , Yang Fang
Published: January 2017

Herein, we demonstrate baicalin-loaded selenium nanoparticles with a liver-targeting folic acid moiety to treat HBV-infected liver cancer.
Optical thermometry based on thermal population of low-lying levels of Eu3+ in Ca2.94Eu0.04Sc2Si3O12
Authors: Zhao Lu , Cai Jiajia , Hu Fangfang , Li Xinyue , Cao Zhongmin , Wei Xiantao , Chen Yonghu , Yin Min , Duan Chang-Kui
Published: January 2017

Non-contact optical thermometry using rare-earth materials has attracted a lot of attention due to its realization of non-invasive and real-time temperature determination.
Pd–ZnO nanowire arrays as recyclable catalysts for 4-nitrophenol reduction and Suzuki coupling reactions
Authors: Hu Qiyan , Liu Xiaowang , Tang Lin , Min Dewen , Shi Tianchao , Zhang Wu
Published: January 2017

Hybrid Pd–ZnO nanowire arrays for catalysis: Pd–ZnO@Zn nanowire arrays have been found to be applicable as recyclable catalysts for 4-nitrophenol reduction and Suzuki coupling reactions.
Aegle marmelos in heterocyclization: greener, highly efficient, one-pot three-component protocol for the synthesis of highly functionalized 4H-benzochromenes and 4H-chromenes
Authors: Shinde Sachin , Damate Shashikant , Morbale Smita , Patil Megha , Patil Suresh S.
Published: January 2017

A facile, one-pot three-component protocol for the synthesis of 2-amino-4H-chromene derivatives has been demonstrated using Bael Fruit Extract (BFE) as a natural catalyst in a green reaction medium.
Vapor–solid synthesis of monolithic single-crystalline CoP nanowire electrodes for efficient and robust water electrolysis
Authors: Li Wei , Gao Xuefei , Xiong Dehua , Xia Fang , Liu Jian , Song Wei-Guo , Xu Junyuan , Thalluri Sitaramanjaneya Mouli , Cerqueira M. F. , Fu Xiuli , Liu Lifeng
Published: January 2017

Ultralong single-crystalline CoP nanowires were grown on porous Co foam via a vapor–solid reaction method and used for overall electrochemical water splitting in alkaline solution.
Facile ionothermal synthesis of mesoporous Fe–Nx–C composites as efficient catalysts for oxygen reduction in acid media
Authors: Tong Lei , Shao ZongGui , Qian YaSheng , Li WenMu
Published: January 2017

A facile ionothermal approach to synthesize highly active covalent triazine framework derived Fe–Nx–C catalysts without utilizing any hard template.
Self-sacrificed synthesis of carbon-coated SiOx nanowires for high capacity lithium ion battery anodes
Authors: Li Zhaohuai , He Qiu , He Liang , Hu Ping , Li Wei , Yan Haowu , Peng Xianzhou , Huang Congyun , Mai Liqiang
Published: January 2017

Carbon-coated SiOx nanowires are synthesized through a novel self-sacrificed method and applied for high-performance LIB anodes.
Chiral induced synthesis of helical polypyrrole (PPy) nano-structures: a lightweight and high-performance material against electromagnetic pollution
Authors: Xie Aming , Wu Fan , Jiang Wanchun , Zhang Kun , Sun Mengxiao , Wang Mingyang
Published: January 2017

First report on the excellent electromagnetic absorption and electromagnetic interference shielding performances of helical conducting polymer nano-structures.
A simple maskless process for the fabrication of vertically aligned high density hematite and graphene/magnetite nanowires
Authors: Shin Seungmin , Kim Sung-Wook , Jang Ji-Hyun , Kim Jin-Baek
Published: January 2017

The fabrication of vertically aligned iron oxide nanowire arrays using a simple maskless etching approach.
On the Mn promoted synthesis of higher alcohols over Cu derived ternary catalysts
Authors: Liakakou Eleni T. , Isaacs Mark A. , Wilson Karen , Lee Adam F. , Heracleous Eleni
Published: January 2017

This work provides insight into the promotional effect of Mn on the synthesis of higher alcohols over Cu-based ternary catalysts through XPS and in situ DRIFTS and powder XRD.
A Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Study on Cortical Hemodynamic Responses to Normal and Whispered Speech in 3- to 7-Year-Old Children
Authors: Remijn Gerard B. , Kikuchi Mitsuru , Yoshimura Yuko , Shitamichi Kiyomi , Ueno Sanae , Tsubokawa Tsunehisa , Kojima Haruyuki , Higashida Haruhiro , Minabe Yoshio
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess cortical hemodynamic response patterns in 3- to 7-year-old children listening to two speech modes: normally vocalized and whispered speech. Understanding whispered speech requires processing of the relatively weak, noisy signal, as well as the cognitive ability to understand the speaker's reason for whispering.

Method

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to assess changes in cortical oxygenated hemoglobin from 16 typically developing children.

Results

A profound difference in oxygenated hemoglobin levels between the speech modes was found over left ventral sensorimotor cortex. In particular, over areas that represent speech articulatory body parts and motion, such as the larynx, lips, and jaw, oxygenated hemoglobin was higher for whisper than for normal speech. The weaker stimulus, in terms of sound energy, thus induced the more profound hemodynamic response. This, moreover, occurred over areas involved in speech articulation, even though the children did not overtly articulate speech during measurements.

Conclusion

Because whisper is a special form of communication not often used in daily life, we suggest that the hemodynamic response difference over left ventral sensorimotor cortex resulted from inner (covert) practice or imagination of the different articulatory actions necessary to produce whisper as opposed to normal speech.
FD device‐to‐device communication for wireless video distribution
Authors: Naslcheraghi Mansour , Ghorashi Seyed Ali , Shikh‐Bahaei Mohammad
Published: January 2017

Spectrum scarcity and dramatically increasing demand for high data rate and high‐quality video live streaming are of future cellular network design challenges. As a solution to this problem, cache‐enabled cellular network architecture has been recently proposed. Device‐to‐device (D2D) communications can be exploited for distributed video content delivery, and devices can be used for caching of the video files. This can increase the capacity and reduce the end‐to‐end delay in cellular networks. In this study, the authors propose a new scheme for video distribution over cellular networks by exploiting full‐duplex (FD) radios for D2D devices in two scenarios: (i) two nodes exchange their desired video files simultaneously and (ii) each node can concurrently transmit to and receive from two different nodes. In the latter case, an intermediate transceiver can serve one or multiple users’ file request(s) whilst capturing its desired file from another device in the vicinity. Mathematical expressions along with extensive simulations are used to compare their proposed scheme with a half‐duplex scheme to show the achievable gains in terms of sum throughput, active links, and delay. They will also look into the energy cost for achieving the improvements provided by operation in FD mode.
Efficient method for discrimination between inrush current and internal faults in power transformers based on the non‐saturation zone
Authors: Sahebi Ali , Samet Haidar
Published: January 2017

There are many different techniques for discrimination between inrush current and internal faults. However, due to their inherent limitations, the methods have not reached a practical level yet, and the conventional methods are still widely employed in practice despite of their well‐known shortcomings. Current transformer saturation and large inrush currents are the most reported cause of the discrimination algorithms mal‐operation. This paper deals with an efficient approach to discriminate internal faults from switching conditions in the power transformers which can solve these problems. The proposed method is based on utilising the feature of the non‐saturation zone. The performance of the proposed method is tested using the simulations data besides to data collected from a prototype laboratory three‐phase power transformer. Also, the proposed method is evaluated and compared with some well‐known discrimination schemes including conventional and some new presented schemes by the same simulation and experimental data sets. The results validate the consistency and accuracy of the proposed method.
Voltage and frequency control during microgrid islanding in a multi‐area multi‐microgrid system
Authors: John Thomas , Ping Lam So
Published: January 2017

This study presents a control method to regulate load voltage and system frequency during microgrid islanding in a multi‐area multi‐microgrid (MMG) system. In the event of islanding of a microgrid from the distribution grid in the proposed MMG system, load voltage of the islanded microgrid and system frequency are affected. To overcome these problems, a control system for the MMG system is proposed. The proposed control system facilitates desired power exchange between grid‐connected and islanded microgrids, and achieves effective voltage and frequency regulation in the MMG system. The main significance of the proposed MMG system is that multiple microgrids in different locations can be interconnected to meet larger bulk power demands. This ensures improved reliability and security of power supply in the MMG system. An improved model predictive control (MPC) algorithm is used to regulate various parameters such as output voltage, frequency and power of the inverters in the MMG system. The proposed MMG system is tested during islanding and load shedding using simulation studies. The simulation studies show that the inverters can operate effectively using MPC to provide the desired voltage, frequency and power during islanding and load shedding.
Travelling‐wave modelling of the modulation dynamic performance of wavelength‐tunable laser diodes using the integrated VPI and PICS3D software
Authors: Duzgol Onur , Kyritsis Georgios , Zakhleniuk Nick
Published: January 2017

The modulation dynamic performance of a three‐section bulk InGaAsP/InP tunable laser diode (TLD) operating at 1550‐nm under direct intensity modulation during discontinuous tuning is investigated with the travelling‐wave approach, using commercial software tools VPI and PICS3D. The authors demonstrate a strong effect of the gain spectra shape on the modulation response of the TLDs. Two models have been developed for simulation of the modulation response which incorporate real gain spectra of TLDs obtained either from experiment or ab‐initio calculations: (i) the VPI + PICS3D integrated model, and (ii) the fitted parabolic shape gain model. The results obtained for both models are in good agreement. A significant ∼3 times increase of the relaxation oscillation frequency and the corresponding modulation bandwidth was observed under blue wavelength tuning of the TLD over a 21‐nm range from the initial 1550‐nm lasing wavelength. The authors show that the main physical reason for this increase is a dispersion of the differential gain which increases about 4 to 5 times when the lasing wavelength decreases over the above tuning range. The reported enhancement of the modulation response of TLDs is important for their practical applications.
Stability improvement of PV‐BESS diesel generator‐based microgrid with a new modified harmony search‐based hybrid firefly algorithm
Authors: Satapathy Prachitara , Dhar Snehamoy , Dash Pradipta Kishore
Published: January 2017

Using a new improved harmony search‐based hybrid firefly algorithm (IHBFA), a comprehensive controller gain parameter estimation of all distributed resources‐based microgrid is proposed. To ensure a fast convergence and to endeavour less randomisation to conventional firefly algorithm (FA), diversity of population is increased by an improved harmony search (HS) algorithm. To decrease local optima searching delay, a linear incremental pitch adjustment rate and exponential decaying bandwidth is considered for proposed HS‐based hybrid FA. Photovoltaic (PV), an auxiliary battery energy storage system (BESS) with the second‐order phase‐locked loop control, is considered as a primary DG (DG1) for the proposed microgrid. Padѐ approximation delay‐based governor control is used for the diesel generator unit, considered as a secondary DG (DG2). The overall gain optimisation improves the dynamic stability limits by minimising low‐frequency network behaviour. The effectiveness of proposed IHBFA in terms of power oscillation damping and improved stability limits is clearly demonstrated for microgrid applications.
Assessment of PD severity in gas‐insulated switchgear with an SSAE
Authors: Tang Ju , Jin Miao , Zeng Fuping , Zhang Xiaoxing , Huang Rui
Published: January 2017

Scientific partial discharge (PD) severity evaluation is highly important to the safe operation of gas‐insulated switchgear. However, describing PD severity with only a few statistical features such as discharge time and discharge amplitude is unreliable. Hence, a deep‐learning neural network model called stacked sparse auto‐encoder (SSAE) is proposed to realise feature extraction from the middle layer with a small number of nodes. The output feature that is almost similar to the input PD information is produced in the model. The features extracted from PD data are then fed into a soft‐max classifier to be classified into one of four defined PD severity states. In addition, unsupervised greedy layer‐wise pre‐training and supervised fine‐tuning are utilised to train the SSAE network during evaluation. Results of testing and simulation analysis show that the features extracted by the SSAE model effectively characterise PD severity. The performance of the SSAE model, which possesses an average assessment accuracy of up to 92.2%, is better than that of the support vector machine algorithm based on statistical features. According to the tested number of SSAE layers and features and the training sample size, the SSAE model possesses good expansibility and can be useful in practical applications.
Funktionelle Ergebnisse und Transplantatversagen nach Re-Keratoplastik
Authors: Blug S. , Seitz B. , Langenbucher A. , Szentmáry N.
Published: January 2017

Hintergrund und Ziel Die Keratoplastik ist die älteste und erfolgreichste Gewebetransplantation am Menschen. Trotz des immunologischen Privilegs der Hornhaut kann es in Abhängigkeit von der Grunderkrankung, der Qualität des Spendergewebes und der Compliance des Patienten in bis zu 10 % der Fälle zu einem Transplantatversagen kommen, das einer Re-Keratoplastik bedarf. Ziel dieser Studie war es, Einflussfaktoren auf das funktionelle Ergebnis und das Transplantatüberleben nach Re-Keratoplastik zu untersuchen.

Patienten und Methoden In dieser monozentrischen, retrospektiven Studie wurden alle Patienten eingeschlossen, die im Zeitraum 01. 01. 2001 bis 31. 12. 2010 in Homburg mit einer Re-Keratoplastik versorgt wurden. Die Daten wurden in einer Access-Datenbank aus den Patientenakten erfasst und mittels SPSS 19.0 statistisch ausgewertet. Es wurden hauptsächlich die OP-Berichte und die Ergebnisse der Nachuntersuchung mit dem Fokus auf Visus, Tensio, Endothelzelldichte, Hornhauttopografie und Hornhauttomografie sowie Transplantatreaktionen und Transplantatversagen ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Excimer-Laser-Trepanation der mechanischen Trepanation mit dem Motortrepan bez. des korrigierten Visus signifikant (p = 0,009) überlegen war. So war der korrigierte Visus nach 2 Jahren in der Gruppe der Lasertrepanierten im Mittel bei 0,39, in der Gruppe mit mechanischer Trepanation dagegen nur bei 0,16. Des Weiteren konnte nachgewiesen werden, dass ein Transplantatdurchmesser kleiner als 7,5 mm einen signifikant negativen Einfluss auf die Inzidenz eines postkeratoplastischen Astigmatismus hat (p = 0,004). Nach einem Beobachtungszeitraum von 120 Monaten war in der Gruppe der Transplantate mit einem Durchmesser ≤ 7,5 mm/> 7,5 mm die Rate der Abstoßungsreaktionen bei 20/60 % (p = 0,259).

Schlussfolgerung Die Daten der vorliegenden Studie zeigen, dass im Hinblick auf die funktionelle Rehabilitation ein Wiederholungstransplantat Excimer-Laser-chirurgisch gewonnen werden sollte, wenn dies morphologisch (z. B. Vaskularisation) möglich ist. Auf das Transplantatüberleben hat die OP-Technik allerdings keine signifikante Auswirkung. Auch bei der Re-Keratoplastik gilt der Grundsatz, den Durchmesser des Transplantats in Abhängigkeit von der Größe der Hornhaut so groß wie möglich, aber so klein wie nötig zu wählen.
Erfassung der Versorgungsqualität von Glaukompatienten im Großraum Hamburg
Authors: Waibel S. , Gesser C. , Klemm M.
Published: January 2017

Hintergrund Daten über die Qualität der Versorgung und die Lebensqualität von Glaukompatienten existieren bisher nicht in ausreichendem Maße. In der vorliegenden prospektiven Studie sollte erfasst werden, inwiefern eine den Leitlinien der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft (DOG) entsprechende, adäquate Versorgung von Glaukompatienten im Großraum Hamburg gegeben ist.

Patienten und Methoden Bei 196 Patienten wurde während der stationären Tensionsanalyse ein interviewergeführter Fragebogen ausgefüllt. Dieser sollte die Qualität der Versorgung untersuchen, indem er die in den Leitlinien der DOG empfohlenen Untersuchungen und deren Häufigkeit abfragte. Die entsprechenden Ergebnisse bei der Auswertung des Fragebogens wurden in Bezug gesetzt zur Schwere des Glaukoms sowie zur vorliegenden Glaukomform.

Ergebnisse Im Mittel suchten die Patienten ihren ambulanten Augenarzt 5,1-mal pro Jahr auf. Der Großteil der Patienten berichtete, dass sie quartalsmäßig ihren Augenarzt aufsuchten. Bei 92 % der Patienten wurde bei jedem ambulanten Arztbesuch eine Tensiomessung durchgeführt. Die Hälfte der Patienten gab an, dass der Augeninnendruck im ambulanten Bereich wiederholt zu verschiedenen Tageszeiten gemessen wurde. Durchschnittlich wurde 0,9-mal pro Jahr eine Perimetrie in der Augenklinik durchgeführt, dagegen 1,4-mal im ambulanten Bereich. Weitere Maßnahmen zur Glaukomdiagnostik wurden 0,8-mal pro Jahr in der Augenklinik bzw. 0,4-mal beim niedergelassenen Augenarzt durchgeführt. Für den Großteil der Patienten entstanden keine Kosten für die ambulante Glaukomdiagnostik. Nur bei 4 % der Patienten lagen diese jährlich über 100 €.

Schlussfolgerungen Für die Mehrheit der Glaukompatienten im Großraum Hamburg ist eine den Leitlinien der DOG entsprechende, adäquate Versorgung durch regelmäßige Verlaufskontrollen gegeben. Bei fast allen Patienten wurden die Tensiokontrollen und perimetrischen Untersuchungen wie empfohlen durchgeführt. Dagegen erfolgte bei einem Fünftel der Patienten keine regelmäßige apparative Beurteilung des Sehnervs und der Nervenfaserschicht. Den Termin für die nächste Kontrolle bekamen die Patienten zumeist gleich genannt. Damit war eine engmaschige Verlaufskontrolle gut realisierbar, welche für die Mehrzahl der Patienten mit keinen oder geringen privaten Zusatzzahlungen verbunden war.
Glücksspielverhalten der österreichischen Bevölkerung und ihre Akzeptanz von Spielerschutzmaßnahmen – Ergebnisse der Repräsentativbefragungen 2009 und 2015
Authors: Kalke Jens , Buth Sven , Thon Natasha , Wurst Frieder
Published: January 2017

Mit dem vorliegenden Beitrag werden erstmalig für Österreich repräsentative Trends zum Glücksspielverhalten der Bevölkerung (14–65 Jahre) veröffentlicht. Es wurden zu 2 Zeitpunkten die Glücksspielteilnahme und das Ausmaß glücksspielbedingter Probleme sowie die Akzeptanz von Maßnahmen des Spieler- und Jugendschutzes erhoben.

Die Datenerhebung erfolgte in Form von computergestützten telefonischen Interviews (CATI, Festnetz und mobil). Die Fallzahl beträgt für das Jahr 2009 6 300 und für das Jahr 2015 10 000 Personen. Die Basis für die Berechnung der Gewichtungsfaktoren bilden die Variablen Alter, Geschlecht und Schulbildung.

Es ergibt sich ein stabiler Anteil von Personen, die mindestens einmal im Jahr irgendein Glücksspiel um Geld spielen (2009: 42%, 2015: 41%). Bei der monatlichen Spielteilnahme hat eine signifikante Zunahme stattgefunden (von 23 auf 27%). Der Anteil derjenigen, die ein mindestens problematisches Spielverhalten aufweisen, ist mit 1,1% zwischen 2009 und 2015 gleich geblieben. Es zeigt sich in beiden Erhebungen eine hohe Zustimmung der Bevölkerung für einen weitreichenden Spieler- und Jugendschutz.

Die gleichbleibende Problemspielprävalenz mit 64 000 Betroffenen macht deutlich, dass weiter Handlungsbedarf in Bezug auf die Glücksspielsuchtprävention besteht. Dabei sollte die hohe Akzeptanz in der Bevölkerung für den Spieler- und Jugendschutz genutzt werden, um vor allem den Bereich der verhältnispräventiven Maßnahmen auszubauen.
Botulinumtoxintherapie – neue Entwicklungen in der Augenheilkunde
Authors: Wabbels B.
Published: January 2017

Botulinumtoxin ist seit Jahren der Goldstandard bei der Behandlung des essenziellen Blepharospasmus und des Hemispasmus facialis, ähnlich wirksam bei Synkinesien nach Fazialisparese. Falls für den individuellen Patienten erforderlich, können die Injektionsintervalle bei Lidkrämpfen auf bis zu 6 Wochen verkürzt werden. Neuere Indikationen in der Augenheilkunde umfassen die Lidretraktion bei endokriner Orbitopathie, die Induktion einer protektiven Ptosis und die Behandlung von Krokodilstränen. Zukünftig kommt Botulinumtoxin evtl. auch zur Behandlung von Depressionen (facial feedback), von Wunden im Gesichtsbereich und zum Schutz von Drüsen vor Bestrahlungsfolgen in Betracht.
Structure and computation of two-dimensional incompressible extended MHD
Authors: Grasso D. , Tassi E. , Abdelhamid H. M. , Morrison P. J.
Published: January 2017

A comprehensive study of the extended magnetohydrodynamic model obtained from the two-fluid theory for electrons and ions with the enforcement of quasineutrality is given. Starting from the Hamiltonian structure of the fully three-dimensional theory, a Hamiltonian two-dimensional incompressible four-field model is derived. In this way, the energy conservation along with four families of Casimir invariants is naturally obtained. The construction facilitates various limits leading to the Hamiltonian forms of Hall, inertial, and ideal MHD, with their conserved energies and Casimir invariants. Basic linear theory of the four-field model is treated, and the growth rate for collisionless reconnection is obtained. Results from nonlinear simulations of collisionless tearing are presented and interpreted using, in particular, normal fields, a product of the Hamiltonian theory that gives rise to simplified equations of motion.
Theoretical simulation of negative differential transconductance in lateral quantum well nMOS devices
Authors: Vyas P. B. , Naquin C. , Edwards H. , Lee M. , Vandenberghe W. G. , Fischetti M. V.
Published: January 2017

We present a theoretical study of the negative differential transconductance (NDT) recently observed in the lateral-quantum-well Si n-channel field-effect transistors [J. Appl. Phys. 118, 124505 (2015)]. In these devices, p+ doping extensions are introduced at the source-channel and drain-channel junctions, thus creating two potential barriers that define the quantum well across whose quasi-bound states resonant/sequential tunneling may occur. Our study, based on the quantum transmitting boundary method, predicts the presence of a sharp NDT in devices with a nominal gate length of 10-to-20 nm at low temperatures (∼10 K). At higher temperatures, the NDT weakens and disappears altogether as a result of increasing thermionic emission over the p+ potential barriers. In larger devices (with a gate length of 30 nm or longer), the NDT cannot be observed because of the low transmission probability and small energetic spacing (smaller than kBT) of the quasi-bound states in the quantum well. We speculate that the inability of the model to predict the NDT observed in 40 nm gate-length devices may be due to an insufficiently accurate knowledge of the actual doping profiles. On the other hand, our study shows that NDT suitable for novel logic applications may be obtained at room temperature in devices of the current or near-future generation (sub-10 nm node), provided an optimal design can be found that minimizes the thermionic emission (requiring high p+ potential-barriers) and punch-through (that meets the opposite requirement of potential-barriers low enough to favor the tunneling current).
Research on giant magnetostrictive actuator online nonlinear modeling based on data driven principle with grating sensing technique
Authors: Han Ping
Published: January 2017

A novel Giant Magnetostrictive Actuator (GMA) experimental system with Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensing technique and its modeling method based on data driven principle are proposed. The FBG sensors are adopted to gather the multi-physics fields' status data of GMA considering the strong nonlinearity of the Giant Magnetostrictive Material and GMA micro-actuated structure. The feedback features are obtained from the raw dynamic status data, which are preprocessed by data fill and abnormal value detection algorithms. Correspondingly the Least Squares Support Vector Machine method is utilized to realize GMA online nonlinear modeling with data driven principle. The model performance and its relative algorithms are experimentally evaluated. The model can regularly run in the frequency range from 10 to 1000 Hz and temperature range from 20 to 100 °C with the minimum prediction error stable in the range from −1.2% to 1.1%.
Analytical solution of the strain-controlled magnetic domain wall motion in bilayer piezoelectric/magnetostrictive nanostructures
Authors: Consolo Giancarlo , Valenti Giovanna
Published: January 2017

The one-dimensional propagation of magnetic domain walls in an isotropic, linearly elastic, magnetostrictive material is investigated in the framework of the extended Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation where the effects of a spin-polarized current and a rate-independent dry-friction dissipation are taken into account. In our analysis, it is assumed that the ferromagnet is subject to a spatially uniform biaxial in-plain stress generated by a piezoelectric substrate combined with the former in a multiferroic heterostructure. Moreover, a possible connection between the dry-friction mechanism and the piezo-induced strains is conjectured. By adopting the traveling waves ansatz, the effect of such a stress on the domain wall dynamics is explored in both steady and precessional regimes. In particular, it is proved that the magnetoelastic contribution, while it does not formally modify the classical solution, affects both the propagation threshold and the Walker Breakdown conditions involved in the steady regime, in agreement with recent experimental results. In the precessional regime, it is shown that the existence of a correlation between the piezo-induced strains and dry-friction leads to an upward shift of the domain wall velocity.
Upstream CSG: transitioning from project delivery to operational excellence for large-scale upstream assets
Authors: Maney Russ
Published: January 2017

Multiple providers have spent $75 billion building upstream CSG to LNG production facilities in Australia during the past decade. Heretofore, their focus has been on completing construction on budget and on time to first gas sailing in tankers.
Large project delivery-focused organisations were created at great cost. Meanwhile, during this construction period, oil prices (to which LNG prices are tied) have fallen by ~50%.
The challenge now for CSG to LNG providers is to transition from a one-time project delivery focus to an ongoing, efficient operation focus—at lower than expected costs.
This case study describes how one CSG to LNG provider is successfully transitioning from project delivery to operations excellence by:

Optimising gas flow from wells to ships—transitioning from a vertical focus on one-time construction of a chain of facilities (wells, compression, pipelines, liquefaction) to a horizontal focus on continuous operation of a production chain.
Maximising uptime and optimising performance— recognising that a significant percentage of thousands of wells/kilometres of pipelines, dozens of field compression stations, and numerous support (power and water treatment) facilities will have problems at any one time; operations and maintenance crews and equipment must be continuously targeted at highest priorities.
Maximising internal and contractor labour productivity—realising that the largest variable cost is operations and maintenance labour, LNG producers must drive productivity by systematically maximising tool time, as well as being continually focused on the right wells/facilities at the right times. Across such vast geographies, optimised planning and scheduling is essential.
Observations on the Lower Triassic petroleum prospectivity of the offshore Carnarvon and Roebuck basins
Authors: Molyneux Stephen , Goodall Jeff , McGee Roisin , Mills George , Hartung-Kagi Birgitta
Published: January 2017

Why are the only commercial hydrocarbon discoveries in Lower Triassic and Permian sediments of the western margin of Australia restricted to the Perth Basin and the Petrel Sub-basin?
Recent regional analysis by Carnarvon Petroleum has sought to address some key questions about the Lower Triassic Locker Shale and Upper Permian Chinty and Kennedy formations petroleum systems along the shallow water margin of the Carnarvon and offshore Canning (Roebuck/Bedout) basins. This paper aims to address the following questions:Source: Is there evidence in the wells drilled to date of a working petroleum system tied to the Locker Shale or other pre-Jurassic source rocks?
Reservoir: What is the palaeogeography and sedimentology of the stratigraphic units and what are the implications for the petroleum systems?The authors believed that a fresh look at the Lower Triassic to Upper Permian petroleum prospectivity of the North West Shelf would be beneficial, and key observations arising from the regional study undertaken are highlighted:Few wells along a 2,000 km area have drilled into Lower Triassic Locker Shale or older stratigraphy.
Several of these wells have been geochemically and isotopically typed to potentially non Jurassic source rocks.
The basal Triassic Hovea Member of the Kockatea Shale in the Perth Basin is a proven commercial oil source rock and a Hovea Member Equivalent has been identified through palynology and a distinctive sapropelic/algal kerogen facies in nearly 16 wells that penetrate the full Lower Triassic interval on the North West Shelf.
Samples from the Upper Permian, the Hovea Member Equivalent and the Locker Shale have been analysed isotopically indicating –28, –34 and –30 delta C13 averages, respectively.
Lower Triassic and Upper Permian reservoirs are often high net to gross sands with up to 1,000 mD permeability and around 20% porosity.
Depositional processes are varied, from Locker Shale submarine canyon systems to a mixed carbonate clastic marine coastline/shelf of the Upper Permian Chinty and Kennedy formations.
Differentiating the roles of shrimp and aquatic insects in leaf processing in a Neotropical stream
Authors: Andrade Claudia M. , Neres-Lima Vinicius , Moulton Timothy P.
Published: January 2017

There is interest in the relationships between macroconsumers (e.g. shrimp) and aquatic insects, as well as their role in ecological processes, including leaf breakdown, in tropical freshwater environments. Many studies have shown that shrimp have the capacity to reduce the abundance of aquatic insects (by predation and behavioural inhibition) and promote leaf breakdown as shredders. To discriminate between these effects, we used fresh leaves of Erythroxylum pulchrum and manipulated the presence of shrimp and insects by electric exclusion at high and low intensities of electric field. In the control treatment (no electric exclusion) shrimp (the brushing collector Potimirim brasiliana and the shredding omnivore Macrobrachium olfersii) and aquatic insects (including shredders) were present. The low-intensity electric field excluded only shrimp, whereas the high-intensity electric field excluded both shrimp and medium- and large-sized aquatic insects (>2mm). Leaf processing was approximately twice as fast in the absence of shrimp and in the presence of insects than when both or neither were present. This implied a trophic cascade of shrimp acting as potential predators of insect shredders, but not acting as shredders themselves. We postulate that increased leaf processing was caused by a behavioural response of the putative shredders to the absence of shrimp; abundant leptophlebiid ephemeropterans were the most likely shredders.
Early null and overt subjects in the Spanish of simultaneous English-Spanish bilinguals and Crosslinguistic Influence
Authors: Villa-García Julio , Suárez-Palma Imanol
Published: January 2017

This study assesses the scope of the Crosslinguistic Influence (CLI) hypothesis’ predictions with regard to early bilingual acquisition. To this end, we analyze longitudinal corpus data from four bilinguals attesting the acquisition of subjecthood (null versus overt; preverbal versus postverbal) and the pragmatic adequacy of early null and overt subjects in a null-subject language (i.e., Spanish) in combination with a language differing in its pro-drop parameter setting (i.e., English). Our results indicate that CLI barely affects the development of subjects in the null-subject language at the initial stages, namely at the outset of null and overt subjects, and in turn support the Separate Development Hypothesis. Our bilingual cohort patterns with their Spanish-acquiring monolingual peer in that both groups display comparable proportions of null subjects as well as acquisitional trajectories of null and overt subjects at the early stages of acquisition. Much like monolinguals, bilinguals begin to produce preverbal and postverbal subjects concurrently. The bilingual children and the monolingual child of this study actually produce extremely high rates of pragmatically appropriate covert and overt subjects, which are for the most part target-like from the start, thus pointing to the absence of CLI effects. In light of monolingual and bilingual data, the paper also revisits the hotly debated issue of the ‘no overt subject’ stage of Grinstead (1998,et seq.), its existence in child Spanish being questionable.
Examining L2 acquisition of the Spanish pluperfect subjunctive
Authors: Botero Diana P.
Published: January 2017

There is a strong line of research on mood selection of the Spanish subjunctive (e.g., relative, argument, and adverbial clauses), but little attention has been paid to the Spanish pluperfect subjunctive in second language (L2) acquisition. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the acquisition of the Spanish pluperfect subjunctive in conditional clauses. This study aims to demonstrate what is easier and what is more difficult to acquire, as well as what the results can tell us in terms of interfaces. Forty-five participants (n=24 adult Spanish learners andn=21 native speakers) completed a proficiency test and four linguistic tasks. The results show variation by native speakers in their use of the subjunctive, while Spanish learners had difficulty with the morphology, but not with the semantics or pragmatics. These results are consistent with hypotheses that recognize that difficulty stems from morphology. The findings also suggest that the use of the Spanish pluperfect subjunctive involves multiple interfaces that interact simultaneously at the moment of the morphological realization.
Object agreement marking and information structure along the Quechua-Spanish contact continuum
Authors: Mayer Elisabeth , Sánchez Liliana
Published: January 2017

Direct object clitics in Spanish are morphological markers at the interfaces of syntax, phonology, morphology, and information structure (Zwicky, 1985; Ordóñez & Repetti, 2006; Belloro, 2007; Spencer & Luís, 2012). They play an important part in argument morphology in Spanish and are subject to variability in bilingual acquisition (McCarthy, 2008). In this paper we explore the morphology-syntax-information structure mapping of direct object clitics in clitic structures in a range of speakers that includes Quechua-dominant bilinguals and Spanish monolingual individuals along a continuum of language contact situations. Our findings indicate clear dissociation between syntactic properties and marking of morphological features. They also indicate a progression from default gender marking in clitics to a scalar system of clitic forms based on animacy and informational value along the continuum of speakers. Finally, while clitics in liberal clitic doubling varieties receive a focus interpretation (Sánchez, 2010; Sánchez & Zdrojewski, 2013), our data indicate that in some Spanish contact varieties they denote the primary object and secondary topic (Sánchez, 2003; Dalrymple & Nikolaeva, 2011; Mayer, 2008, 2013, forthcoming). The findings of this exploratory study support the view that while clitics exhibit common syntactic properties across a continuum of speakers, they may vary in morphological marking and informational value.
Reading comprehension
Authors: Ferreira Aline , Gottardo Alexandra , Javier Christine , Schwieter John W. , Jia Fanli
Published: January 2017

The role of first language (L1) skills in second language (L2) achievement is often investigated to assist learners in acquiring their L2. There are several factors that may influence potential relations among Spanish and English measures (e.g., age of L2 acquisition, social status, among others). This study investigates relations among L1 and L2 variables for language learners. Specifically, it focuses on relations among oral language (vocabulary), reading (word reading and reading comprehension) variables and sociocultural variables (language dominance, acculturation, socio-economic status) in Spanish-English bilinguals, all of whom were attending school in a large metropolitan, English-speaking region in Canada. Results showed that in both English and Spanish, reading and oral language variables were related. Reading comprehension was related to word reading and vocabulary in the given language. Additionally, reading comprehension in Spanish was related to dominance in that language and to affiliation with the heritage culture.
Effect of Processing on Viscosity and Molecular Weight of (1,3)(1,4)‐β‐Glucan in Western Australian Oat Cultivars
Authors: Mitra Sabori , Lahnstein Jelle , James Anthony P. , Fenton Haelee K. , Burton Rachel A. , Cato Larisa , Solah Vicky A.
Published: January 2017

Six Australian milling oat cultivars grown over two growing seasons were characterized for differences in (1,3)(1,4)‐β‐glucan (β‐glucan) viscosity, solubility, molecular weight (Mw), and the effect of processing. Oat cultivars grown in 2012 had significantly higher extracted β‐glucan viscosity from oat flour than the same oat cultivar grown in 2011 (P < 0.05, mean 137 and 165 cP, respectively). Noodle β‐glucan mean viscosity for 2012 (147 cP) was significantly higher than for 2011 (128 cP). β‐Glucan from ‘Williams’ and ‘Mitika’ oats had the highest viscosity (P < 0.05) in flour (5.92 and 5.25%, respectively) and noodles (1.64 and 1.47%, respectively) for both years, compared with the other oat cultivars. β‐Glucan (Mw) of Williams for 2012 and ‘Kojonup’ for both years were the least affected by processing, with an average drop of 33% compared with a maximum of 63% for other cultivars. Therefore, Williams showed superior β‐glucan properties to other oat cultivars studied, and can potentially provide improved health benefits. High and low β‐glucan Mw populations were found in the same elution peak after processing. Oat cultivars chosen for processing should be those with β‐glucans that are more resistant to processing, and that maintain their physiochemical properties and, therefore, bioactivity.
Foliar Applications of Acibenzolar-S-Methyl Negatively Affect the Yield of Grafted Tomatoes in Fields Infested withRalstonia solanacearum
Authors: Kunwar Sanju , Paret Mathews L. , Freeman Joshua H. , Ritchie Laura , Olson Stephen M. , Colee James , Jones Jeffrey B.
Published: January 2017

Three field experiments were conducted in Florida from 2012-2014 to assess the impact of acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), a systemic acquired-resistance inducer, applied as foliar spray or through drip-irrigation lines, on bacterial wilt incidence and yield of grafted tomatoes. The experiments were conducted in a field with race 1, biovar 1 strain of Ralstonia solanacearum, causal agent of tomato bacterial wilt. In all three experiments, the susceptible tomato variety BHN 602, grafted onto a resistant rootstock BHN 998, was compared with nongrafted BHN 602, treated with or without foliar applications of ASM and with grafted plants treated with foliar applications of ASM. In two experiments, an additional treatment of drip applications of ASM on grafted and nongrafted plants was evaluated. Grafting alone or in combination with drip applications of ASM (178.6 μM) significantly reduced disease incidence and increased total marketable yield relative to nongrafted treatments. There were no significant differences between grafted plants with or without drip ASM applications in terms of bacterial wilt incidence or total marketable yield. However, we demonstrate for the first time that foliar ASM applications on grafted plants negatively affects the total marketable yield compared with drip ASM applications on grafted plants or nontreated grafted control.
Biological and Molecular Diversity ofCucumber green mottle mosaic virusin Spain
Authors: Crespo Oscar , Janssen Dirk , García Carmen , Ruiz Leticia
Published: January 2017

The complete RNA genome from Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) (Alm08), collected during 2009 in cucumber crops located in Spain, was found to be 6,422 nucleotides long. The nucleotide sequence shared the highest identity with isolates from Russia (GQ495274, GQ495275, FJ848666) as do nucleotide sequences of partial CP and MP genes described in Spain since 2005. All the partial genome sequences including RdRp, CP, and MP from 26 isolates collected from 2013 to 2015 in the southeast of Spain, and from seven isolates of other parts of the world, suggest that they grouped in two major clusters: one cluster (I) included 14 isolates collected between 2013 and 2014, and also reference isolates from France, the Netherlands, and Uzbekistan. A second cluster (II) grouped 12 isolates, which were mostly collected in 2015 together with those from Japan, South Korea, and Canada. For the first time, CGMMV isolates of different geographical origin were found coinfecting the same crop and territory. A host range study revealed that representative isolates of cluster II, but not from cluster I, produced local lesions in Chenopodium amaranticolor. RT-PCR using a common primer pair for CGMMV followed by restriction enzyme analysis with KpnI allowed distinguishing cluster I from II CGMMV isolates.
SynEM: Automated synapse detection for connectomics
Authors: Staffler Benedikt , Berning Manuel , Boergens Kevin M. , Gour Anjali , van der Smagt Patrick , Helmstaedter Moritz
Published: January 2017

Nerve tissue contains a high density of chemical synapses, about 1 per µm3 in the mammalian cerebral cortex. Thus, even for small blocks of nerve tissue, dense connectomic mapping requires the identification of millions to billions of synapses, of which about 80-90% are excitatory synapses. While the focus of connectomic data analysis has been on neurite reconstruction, synapse detection becomes limiting when datasets grow in size and dense mapping is required. Here, we report SynEM, a method for automated detection of excitatory synapses from conventionally en-bloc stained 3D electron microscopy image stacks. The approach is based on a segmentation of the image data and focuses on classifying borders between neuronal processes as synaptic or non-synaptic. SynEM yields 98% precision and recall in binary excitatory cortical connectomes with no user interaction. It scales to large volumes of cortical neuropil, plausibly even whole-brain datasets. SynEM removes the burden of manual synapse annotation for large densely mapped connectomes.
Multi-generational silencing dynamics control cell aging
Authors: Li Yang , Jin Meng , O’Laughlin Richard , Bittihn Philip , Tsimring Lev S. , Pillus Lorraine , Hasty Jeff , Hao Nan
Published: January 2017

Cellular aging plays an important role in many diseases, such as cancers, metabolic syndromes and neurodegenerative disorders. There has been steady progress in identifying aging-related factors such as reactive oxygen species and genomic instability, yet an emerging challenge is to reconcile the contributions of these factors with the fact that genetically identical cells can age at significantly different rates. Such complexity requires single-cell analyses designed to unravel the interplay of aging dynamics and cell-to-cell variability. Here we use novel microfluidic technologies to track the replicative aging of single yeast cells and reveal that the temporal patterns of heterochromatin silencing loss regulate cellular lifespan. We found that cells show sporadic waves of silencing loss in the heterochromatic ribosomal DNA (rDNA) during the early phases of aging, followed by sustained loss of silencing preceding cell death. Isogenic cells have different lengths of the early intermittent silencing phase that largely determine their final lifespans. Combining computational modeling and experimental approaches, we found that the intermittent silencing dynamics is important for longevity and is dependent on the conserved Sir2 deacetylase, whereas either sustained silencing or sustained loss of silencing shortens lifespan. These findings reveal, for the first time, that the temporal patterns of a key molecular process can directly influence cellular aging and thus could provide guidance for the design of temporally controlled strategies to extend lifespan.

Significance

Aging is an inevitable consequence of living, and with it comes increased morbidity and mortality. Novel approaches to mitigating age-related chronic diseases demand a better understanding of the biology of aging. Studies in model organisms have identified many conserved molecular factors that influence aging. The emerging challenge is to understand how these factors interact and change dynamically to drive aging. Using multidisciplinary technologies, we have revealed a sirtuin-dependent intermittent pattern of chromatin silencing during yeast aging that is crucial for longevity. Our findings highlight the important role of silencing dynamics in aging, which deserves careful consideration when designing schemes to delay or reverse aging by modulating sirtuins and silencing.