bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental observation of dust circulation in unmagnetized cogenerated dusty plasma
Authors: Mondal Malay , Sarkar Sanjib , Mukherjee S. , Bose M.
Published: December 2017

The vortex motion of a dust cloud was experimentally observed in unmagnetized cogenerated dusty plasma in different experimental parameters. Particle image velocimetry analysis demonstrated that several vortex zones exist in the dust cloud at relatively low pressures (0.06 mbar (or 6 Pa)–0.08 mbar (or 8 Pa)) and low discharge voltages (peak‐to‐peak voltage 540–560 V), whereas in relatively high pressure (0.4 mbar (or 40 Pa)–0.7 mbar (or 70 Pa)) and high discharge voltage (peak‐to‐peak voltage 690–740 V), dust vortices formed in dense dust cloud with background plasma fluctuation.
Low‐Temperature Pasteurization of Liquid Whole Egg using Intense Pulsed Electric Fields
Authors: BABA KAZUMA , KAJIWARA TAIGA , WATANABE SHOGO , KATSUKI SUNAO , SASAHARA RYO , INOUE KAZUYUKI
Published: December 2017

This paper describes the pasteurization of liquid whole egg (LWE) using intense pulsed electric fields (PEF) combined with mild heat. Four kinds of liquids as solvents including carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution, CMC solution with adding lipoproteins extracted from LWE (CMC+), LWE, and centrifuged LWE for reducing lipoproteins (LWE−) were compared for the effectiveness of the PEF pasteurization. The liquids including Enterobacter aerogenes (107 /mL) were subjected to a number of PEF with an amplitude of 30 kV/cm or 50 kV/cm. Pre‐ and post‐PEF thermal treatments with a temperature below 55 °C were used to enhance the killing effect. Our experiments show that the bacteria logarithmic reduction ratio of the pasteurization using 30 kV/cm PEF for CMC, CMC+, LWE, and LWE− were 6.6, 2.4, 1.4, and 1.6, respectively, whereas the reduction ratios were all more than 6 when the increased field of 50 kV/cm. Only bacteria in CMC solution were effectively killed compared to other liquids, which include lipoproteins, more or less. Numerical analysis of the electric field indicates the presence of lipoproteins in the vicinity of bacteria lessens the bacterial membrane potential, which results in weakening the killing effect.
Solid Supported Nano Structured Cu‐Catalyst for Solvent/Ligand Free C2 Amination of Azoles
Authors: Dutta Pratip Kumar , Sen Subhabrata , Saha Debasree , Dhar Basabbijayi
Published: December 2017

Ligand‐ and solvent‐free catalytic conditions that harness a nanostructured–CuI catalyst encapsulated in TiO2 has been reported for C2‐amination of azoles (benzothiazole, benzoxazole and thiazole). The reaction is highly regioselective. The catalyst is robust, inexpensive and can be recycled up to four times. This strategy was further used for the synthesis of a small molecule with anti‐HIV and anti‐tumor properties.
Direct Toner Printing: A Versatile Technology for Easy Fabrication of Flexible Miniaturized Electrodes
Authors: da Silva Everson T. S. G. , Alves Thais M. R. , Kubota Lauro T.
Published: December 2017

We reported here three simple, low cost and easy to accomplish strategies for the fabrication of microelectrodes and other conductive patterns using ordinary office laser‐printers. In this work, toner patterns were directly printed onto the flexible substrate, acting as a mask to create the intended conductive design. To highlight the versatility of such technology, toner‐printed patterns were employed in two diverse ways: one in which the patterned toner had the exact design of the electrode and other employing a reverse toner‐printed pattern. The first one was used for the adaptation of the well‐known printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication technique, but using direct toner printing (DTP) in an already conductive flexible substrate. The second was employed for the two remaining strategies: one based on the deposition of conductive film, followed by lift‐off process; and another based on drop‐casting of a conductive ink into the formed toner cavities, followed by thermal cure. As proof‐of‐concept, all three DTP strategies were used for the fabrication of miniaturized gold electrodes in polyimide substrate, and electrochemical performance of each obtained electrode was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. Insights about DTP technology, alignment issues, advantages, limitations and resolution of each presented approach were provided. Finally, direct toner printing showed to be a simple, affordable and quite promising technology for the fabrication of low cost point‐of‐care electrochemical devices using flexible platforms.
Formulation, sensory evaluation, proximate composition and storage stability of cassava strips produced from the composite flour of cassava and cowpea
Authors: Dada Toluwase A. , Barber Lucretia I. , Ngoma Lubanza , Mwanza Mulunda
Published: December 2017

The study developed an acceptable formula for the production of cassava strips (a deep fried product) using composite flour of cassava/cowpea at four different levels of cowpea substitutions (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30). Sensory properties, proximate composition, and shelf life at ambient temperature were determined. Proximate composition, shelf life, and microbial analysis were further done on the most preferred sample (80:20) and the control (100:0). Results showed a significant difference between the tested sample and the control, except in their moisture (4.1%–4.2%) and fiber (5.0%) contents which were similar. Protein content increased from 0.9% to 2.6%, fat 24.6% to 28.5%, carbohydrate 59.7% to 61.1%, and ash 1.8% to 2.5% in both control and most preferred sample. Results showed no changes in their peroxide value (2.4 mEq/kg), moisture content (4.1%), and bacterial count of 0 × 102 CFU/g at ambient storage temperature for 4 weeks. The addition of cowpea flour increased the nutritional quality of the cassava strips.
Estimating and testing direct genetic effects in directed acyclic graphs using estimating equations
Authors: Konigorski Stefan , Wang Yuan , Cigsar Candemir , Yilmaz Yildiz E.
Published: December 2017

In genetic association studies, it is important to distinguish direct and indirect genetic effects in order to build truly functional models. For this purpose, we consider a directed acyclic graph setting with genetic variants, primary and intermediate phenotypes, and confounding factors. In order to make valid statistical inference on direct genetic effects on the primary phenotype, it is necessary to consider all potential effects in the graph, and we propose to use the estimating equations method with robust Huber–White sandwich standard errors. We evaluate the proposed causal inference based on estimating equations (CIEE) method and compare it with traditional multiple regression methods, the structural equation modeling method, and sequential G‐estimation methods through a simulation study for the analysis of (completely observed) quantitative traits and time‐to‐event traits subject to censoring as primary phenotypes. The results show that CIEE provides valid estimators and inference by successfully removing the effect of intermediate phenotypes from the primary phenotype and is robust against measured and unmeasured confounding of the indirect effect through observed factors. All other methods except the sequential G‐estimation method for quantitative traits fail in some scenarios where their test statistics yield inflated type I errors. In the analysis of the Genetic Analysis Workshop 19 dataset, we estimate and test genetic effects on blood pressure accounting for intermediate gene expression phenotypes. The results show that CIEE can identify genetic variants that would be missed by traditional regression analyses. CIEE is computationally fast, widely applicable to different fields, and available as an R package.
Structural connectivity of the amygdala in young adults with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Gibbard Clare R. , Ren Juejing , Skuse David H. , Clayden Jonathan D. , Clark Chris A.
Published: December 2017

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social cognition, a function associated with the amygdala. Subdivisions of the amygdala have been identified which show specificity of structure, connectivity, and function. Little is known about amygdala connectivity in ASD. The aim of this study was to investigate the microstructural properties of amygdala—cortical connections and their association with ASD behaviours, and whether connectivity of specific amygdala subregions is associated with particular ASD traits. The brains of 51 high‐functioning young adults (25 with ASD; 26 controls) were scanned using MRI. Amygdala volume was measured, and amygdala—cortical connectivity estimated using probabilistic tractography. An iterative ‘winner takes all’ algorithm was used to parcellate the amygdala based on its primary cortical connections. Measures of amygdala connectivity were correlated with clinical scores. In comparison with controls, amygdala volume was greater in ASD (F(1,94) = 4.19; p = .04). In white matter (WM) tracts connecting the right amygdala to the right cortex, ASD subjects showed increased mean diffusivity (t = 2.35; p = .05), which correlated with the severity of emotion recognition deficits (rho = −0.53; p = .01). Following amygdala parcellation, in ASD subjects reduced fractional anisotropy in WM connecting the left amygdala to the temporal cortex was associated with with greater attention switching impairment (rho = −0.61; p = .02). This study demonstrates that both amygdala volume and the microstructure of connections between the amygdala and the cortex are altered in ASD. Findings indicate that the microstructure of right amygdala WM tracts are associated with overall ASD severity, but that investigation of amygdala subregions can identify more specific associations.
Effects of polylactic acid and rPET minor components on phase evolution, tensile and thermal properties of polyethylene‐based composite fibers
Authors: Sombatdee Suthisa , Amornsakchai Taweechai , Saikrasun Sunan
Published: December 2017

High mechanical performance and partially biodegradable PE‐composite fibers modified with polylactic acid (PLA) and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) minor components were prepared using melt extrusion and hot drawing process. Rheological properties, morphology, tensile, and thermal properties were investigated. All blends exhibited shear thinning behavior except for starting PLA and rPET. PLA and rPET dispersed phases appeared as droplets in as‐extruded strand, and PLA droplets were mostly larger than those of rPET. The fibrillation of both PLA and rPET domains was achieved after further hot drawing as the fiber. The morphology and tensile properties of the fibers mainly depended on the types and contents of dispersed phases including draw ratios. The ultimate strength of the polymer fibers at draw ratio of 20 was more than 600 times higher than that of the as‐spun sample of the same composition. Remarkable improvement in secant modulus and ultimate strength was found for PE‐30PLA, but the drawing process of this composition encountered some difficulties and rough surface of the fiber was observed. The stiffness and tensile stress for PE‐10PLA‐10rPET fiber were clearly improved when compared with PE and PE‐10PLA. A decrease in thermal stability of PE/PLA composites was observed with increasing PLA content whereas additional presence of rPET significantly increased the stability of the composites both in nitrogen and in air. PE/PLA/rPET fiber possessing high stiffness with good thermal stability prepared in this work has high potential for being utilized as structural parts for load‐bearing applications.
Design of electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofiber–coated nonwoven structure for sound absorption
Authors: Kucukali Ozturk Merve , Nergis Fatma Banu , Candan Cevza
Published: December 2017

Acoustic felts are commonly used in white goods. Bearing that into mind, this paper aims to enhance sound absorption behavior of such felts, in particular, within the low and medium frequency ranges. In doing so, wool and jute felt samples were coated with electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous membrane. These nanocoated felts were studied in terms of their sound absorption performance, air permeability, and surface morphology. The results indicated that the air permeability of the felts could be drastically decreased by coating with nanofibers, which was required for better acoustic performance of felt‐like structures. Moreover, the samples having higher amount polyacrylonitrile nanofibers tended to demonstrate better sound absorbency.
Experimental study of polyacrylamide gel in close‐in well operation
Authors: Hajipour Arvin , Baghban Salehi Mahsa , Vafaie Sefti Mohsen , Heidari Aghdas
Published: December 2017

An optimized polymer gel, known as temporary gel, based on polyacrylamide sulfonated copolymer, and a chromium acetate hydroxide were synthesized to close‐in the wells during applying well servicing work. Based on bottle tests, polymer gel with 28 000 ppm of polymer concentration, and 0.105 ratio of crosslinker to polymer, was selected. The pressure effect within the range of 1000 to 4000 psi indicated not impressive effect of pressure on the gel properties. As the results of creep test clarified, yield strength of the gel was measured at temperature of 90°C, and 2000 Pa. Moreover, the results of an experiment under simulated well condition showed a linear correlation between the height of polymer gel column, and the strength and persistence of gel against fluid pressure. At last, process of degelling with 40 g of optimum gel was performed using 14 g of 30 wt% solution of citric acid during 4 hours.
The identification of students with emotional disturbance: Moving the field toward responsible assessment practices
Authors: Hanchon Timothy A. , Allen Ryan A.
Published: December 2017

For over 40 years, the special education category Emotional Disturbance (ED) has elicited considerable confusion and controversy for educators. Perhaps most notably, the federal ED definition has been assailed for its inclusion of vague, construct‐laden terminology, coupled with a general lack of clarity or guidance. In this article, we review the salient issues that have surrounded ED since it was first recognized as a disability category under P.L. 94–142 (i.e., the Education for All Handicapped Children Act). Additionally, we offer guidance that is intended to promote responsible and defensible assessment practices, as well as assist school psychologists and other educational professionals to avoid potential clinical judgment errors that may otherwise cloud the eligibility determination process. To conclude, we advocate for comprehensive assessment practices that are conducted in accordance with ethical standards that govern the field of school psychology, and are underpinned by scientific principles with the intent of accurately identifying as well as optimally serving students who are considered for the ED category.
Antibody Profiling by Proteome Microarray with Multiplex Isotype Detection Reveals Overlap between Human and Aotus nancymaae Controlled Malaria Infections
Authors: Taghavian Omid , Jain Aarti , Joyner Chester J. , Ketchum Sunny , Nakajima Rie , Jasinskas Algis , Liang Li , Fong Rich , King Christopher , Greenhouse Bryan , Murphy Maxwell , Bailey Jason , Galinski Mary R. , Barnwell John W. , Plowe Christopher V. , Davies D. Huw , Felgner Philip L.
Published: December 2017

The development of vaccines against malaria and serodiagnostic tests for detecting recent exposure requires tools for antigen discovery and suitable animal models. The protein microarray is a high‐throughput, sample sparing technique, with applications in infectious disease research, clinical diagnostics, epidemiology, and vaccine development. We recently demonstrated Qdot‐based indirect immunofluorescence together with portable optical imager ArrayCAM using single isotype detection could replicate data using the conventional laser confocal scanner system. We developed a multiplexing protocol for simultaneous detection of IgG, IgA, and IgM and compared samples from a controlled human malaria infection model with those from controlled malaria infections of Aotus nancymaae, a widely used non‐human primate model of human malaria. IgG profiles showed the highest concordance in number of reactive antigens; thus, of the 139 antigens recognized by human IgG antibody, 111 were also recognized by Aotus monkeys. Interestingly, IgA profiles were largely non‐overlapping. Finally, on the path toward wider deployment of the portable platform, we show excellent correlations between array data obtained in five independent laboratories around the United States using the multiplexing protocol (R2: 0.60–0.92). This study supports the use of this platform for wider deployment, particularly in endemic areas where such a tool will have the greatest impact on global human health.
Defining lower airway bacterial infection in children with chronic endobronchial disorders
Authors: Hare Kim M. , Pizzutto Susan J. , Chang Anne B. , Smith‐Vaughan Heidi C. , McCallum Gabrielle B. , Beissbarth Jemima , Versteegh Lesley , Grimwood Keith
Published: December 2017

Background

Differentiating lower airway bacterial infection from possible upper airway contamination in children with endobronchial disorders undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is important for guiding management. A diagnostic bacterial load threshold based on inflammatory markers has been determined to differentiate infection from upper airway contamination in infants with cystic fibrosis, but not for children with protracted bacterial bronchitis (PBB), chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD), or bronchiectasis.

Methods

BAL samples from children undergoing bronchoscopy underwent quantitative bacterial culture, cytologic examination, and respiratory virus testing; a subset also had interleukin‐8 examined. Geometric means (GMs) of total cell counts (TCCs) and neutrophil counts were plotted by respiratory pathogen bacterial load. Logistic regression determined associations between age, sex, Indigenous status, antibiotic exposure, virus detection and bacterial load, and elevated TCCs (>400 × 103 cells/mL) and airway neutrophilia (neutrophils >15% BAL leukocytes).

Results

From 2007 to 2016, 655 children with PBB, CSLD, or bronchiectasis were enrolled. In univariate analyses, Indigenous status and bacterial load ≥105 colony‐forming units (CFU)/mL were positively associated with high TCCs. Viruses and bacterial load ≥104 CFU/mL were positively associated with neutrophilia; negative associations were seen for Indigenous status and macrolides. In children who had not received macrolide antibiotics, bacterial load was positively associated in multivariable analyses with high TCCs at ≥104 CFU/mL and with neutrophilia at ≥105 CFU/mL; GMs of TCCs and neutrophil counts were significantly elevated at 104 and 105 CFU/mL compared to negative cultures.

Conclusions

Our findings support a BAL threshold ≥104 CFU/mL to define lower airway infection in children with chronic endobronchial disorders.
Development and Validation of Mass Spectrometry‐Based Targeted Analysis for Amyloid Proteins
Authors: Park Jisook , Lee Ga Yeon , Choi Jin‐Oh , Jeon Eun‐Seok , Kim Kihyun , Kim Jung‐Sun , Lee Soo‐Youn
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Amyloidosis is caused by the extracellular deposition of insoluble fibrils and results in multiple organ dysfunctions. Accurate typing of amyloid is mandatory to decide the optimal treatment for amyloidosis.

Experimental design

A mass spectrometry‐based test combined with laser microdissection (LMD/MS) has been widely used even in the tricky cases that cannot be discriminated by immunohistochemical staining. However, shotgun proteomics analysis obligatorily requires not only expensive instruments but also highly‐experienced specialists to interpret the analysis. Thus, a method of LMD combined with multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry (MRM‐MS) that can detect three most common types of amyloidosis is developed.

Results

The diagnostic method is tested in 16 Congo red‐positive tissues and 10 Congo red‐negative control tissues. The results showed better performance in amyloidosis typing than other analytical techniques.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

This novel diagnostic approach can achieve successful amyloidosis typing with high specificity and sensitivity and be implemented more easily in general clinical laboratories.
Effect of heat treatment temperature on properties of electrosprayed paperboard
Authors: Vanit S. , Sane A. , Yoksan R. , Jinkarn T.
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of additional heat treatment on the properties of paperboard electrosprayed with poly(lactic acid) (PLA). For this study, paperboards electrosprayed with PLA at 1%, 2%, and 3% (w/v) were further heat‐treated at 170°C, 180°C, 190°C, and 200°C for 1 minute. Physical properties, such as basis weight, thickness, and colour of electrosprayed paperboards, were investigated. For mechanical properties, folding endurance and bursting strength of treated paperboard was tested. Water resistance property was observed through contact angle, and water absorption was monitored by Cobb test. In addition, water vapour transmission rate tests were also conducted. Surface characteristics were investigated using a scanning electron microscope and roughness tester. After heat treatment, PLA particles on the paperboard surface melted and formed a smoother continuous surface; this contributed to lower water contact angles and significantly lower water absorption. Furthermore, the higher the concentration of PLA, the better the water resistance. Moreover, heat treatment temperature between 180°C and 200°C could significantly improve the water vapour barrier and water resistance properties. Temperature and treatment time could not be further increased, as the electrosprayed paper substrate was damaged and became yellowish. In addition, for the mechanical properties, an increase in the heat treatment temperature improved the bursting strength; however, a reduction in folding endurance was observed, because the melted PLA particles were absorbed deeper into the paper structure and made the whole matrix more brittle.
Narrative Methods for Differential Diagnosis in a Case of Autism
Authors: Turowetz Jason , Maynard Douglas W.
Published: December 2017

Diagnosis is rarely a straightforward process. This is especially so in psychiatry, where diagnoses are not based on organic biomarkers (e.g., blood tests). Diagnosis can be particularly complicated for children, whose symptoms must be disentangled from typical developmental processes. In this paper, we examine how clinicians use narrative as a method for differentiating a child's autism from a possible co‐morbid seizure disorder. Our approach is conversation analysis, and we show that narrative is a pervasive and endogenous practice for producing warrantable diagnostic knowledge about patients and, as such, forms part of what we term “the practical epistemology of clinical work.”
Misconception of sound and conceptual change: A cross‐sectional study on students' materialistic thinking of sound
Authors: Eshach Haim , Lin Tzu‐Chiang , Tsai Chin‐Chung
Published: December 2017

There is a concern that materialistic thinking—meaning the tendency to attribute a set of matter‐like properties to nonmatter concepts—is one of the central barriers that students face in the journey toward understanding scientific concepts. The cross‐sectional study presented here used the Sound Concept Inventory Instrument (SCII) (Eshach, [], Physical Review Physics Education Research, 10, 010202) to examine how Taiwanese students (N = 717: Grade 7 to undergraduate level) associate the nonmaterial concept of sound with this set of (erroneous) materialistic properties and/or with the (correct) scientific view. Its results show that students in all academic level groups associated sound, at least to some extent, with all of the materialistic properties defined in the instrument. Grades 7–9 evidenced the greatest amount of materialistic thinking, followed by Grade 11, with the lowest levels of materialistic thinking being shown by Grades 10 and 12, as well as university students. We also found that the respondents' confidence in the materialistic view they expressed was high. The results suggest that the extent to which students associate sound with materialistic thinking is not ordered by academic level, but was rather influenced by the immediate relevance of each group's recent curriculum to the topic of sound. This article concludes by examining the results through the lens of several different theories of conceptual change, and by making suggestions, in light of these results, for how the teaching of sound concepts might be improved.
Reliability analysis of the sealed relay based on degradation data
Authors: Li Wenhua , Zhou Lulu , Lu Weide
Published: December 2017

The reliability analysis method for a sealed relay based on degradation data is presented. Based on the accelerated life storage test, the degradation data of the contact pressure drop parameter of 25 sealed relays at 125 °C temperature are selected as the sample. Considering the physical meaning of parameter degradation, the one‐dimensional parameters are fused into comprehensive, data‐integrated, multidimensional parameters by factor analysis and typical correlation analysis. The pseudo‐life of 25 relay samples is obtained when the failure threshold of the contact pressure drop is converted into the equivalent value through the coefficient weight of each sample. Reliability analysis of the contact is analyzed by verifying that the pseudo‐life matches with the normal distribution. Finally, the storage reliability of the product changes gently with time when the conditions of the accelerated test are certain. This method provides a good perspective for reliability analysis. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Critical radius phenomenon and mechanism for SF6 gaps under very fast transient and lightning impulse voltages
Authors: Zhang Lu , Wu Jingfeng , Wang Sen , Sun Lei , Zhang Qiaogen
Published: December 2017

Insulation‐related accidents of gas‐insulated switchgear, induced by very fast transient overvoltage, have become increasingly serious in high‐voltage power systems. A steep‐fronted impulse voltage test equipment is developed for studying the discharge characteristics and mechanisms in the SF6 gap. The influence of the electrode radius on the breakdown characteristic of a fixed‐distance SF6 gap is studied. It is found that discharge behaviors of the SF6 gap show the so‐called critical radius effect. With decreasing electrode radius r, the 50% breakdown voltage of the gap decreases till a critical radius Rcr is reached, and then remains practically constant for further reduction of r. Rcr increases with decreasing gas pressure and wave front time. Calculation results show that Rcr is physically close to the length of the filamentary streamer zone L for negative voltages, whereas for positive voltages, Rcr is close to the length of the homogeneous streamer zone l. The critical radius phenomenon is related to the streamer–precursor–leader discharge process in SF6 gas, which is discovered and explained for the first time in this paper by the proposed critical charge criterion of leader breakdown. © 2017 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of low‐dose melamine exposure during pregnancy on maternal and fetal kidneys in rats
Authors: Chu Ching Yan , Fung Kwok Pui , Wang Chi Chiu
Published: December 2017

Despite the previous reports on melamine contamination in high concentrations some years ago, there were not many studies on low‐level exposure in daily life, particularly in pregnancy. We investigated the effect of low‐dose melamine on the kidneys of the pregnant rats and their developing embryos/fetuses during various gestational stages namely implantation, gastrulation, organogenesis, maturation and whole pregnancy. Our results showed that the repeated low level of melamine (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg bw/d) during pregnancy did not cause obstruction of renal tubules although more precipitating crystals were found in the early gestational periods. Simple hyperplasia in the maternal tubules and pelvic epithelium were more prominent after exposed to melamine during the whole gestational period. Neonatal kidneys significantly suffered more from congestion in glomeruli and interstitium, dilated tubules and interstitial edema after melamine administration to the mother in the late and the whole gestational periods. A trend of advance of glomerular development in fetuses was also observed. We conclude that in utero exposure of low‐level melamine could post a risk on the kidneys of the pregnant mother as well as the developing fetuses, which may further increase the possibility of other health problems later in life.
Co‐processing bio‐oil in the refinery for drop‐in biofuels via fluid catalytic cracking
Authors: Stefanidis Stylianos D. , Kalogiannis Konstantinos G. , Lappas Angelos A.
Published: December 2017

Pyrolysis oil from lignocellulosic biomass (bio‐oil) is a promising renewable energy carrier that can be utilized for the production of second‐generation drop‐in biofuels. Co‐processing bio‐oil with petroleum feeds in existing refinery processes, such as fluid catalytic cracking (FCC), has been proposed as a cost‐effective way of transitioning to the production of such biofuels without the need for significant capital‐intensive investments. Several routes are available for the production of bio‐oil, such as fast pyrolysis of biomass (raw bio‐oil), catalytic fast pyrolysis of biomass (catalytic pyrolysis oil, CPO), and fast pyrolysis of biomass followed by hydrogenation of the produced bio‐oil (hydrodeoxygenated oil, HDO). Research has shown that co‐processing raw bio‐oil is challenging but it can be carried out after adoption of appropriate reactor modifications in the commercial scale. A significant body of work has also focused on the co‐processing of HDO and CPO, and has demonstrated that these types of bio‐oil can be co‐processed with less operational issues. Co‐processing bio‐oil results in a liquid hydrocarbon product that contains only a small amount of oxygenates from bio‐oil. A noticeable increase in coke formation is also observed when bio‐oil is introduced in the FCC feed. However, this increase is lower than what would be expected from the conversion of the pure bio‐oil fraction. This has been attributed to the presence of the petroleum feed, which has a beneficial synergistic effect on the cracking of bio‐oil due to hydrogen donation reactions that inhibit coke formation and promote the conversion of the oxygenates to liquid hydrocarbons.

This article is categorized under:

Energy and Climate > Climate and Environment

Bioenergy > Systems and Infrastructure

Bioenergy > Economics and Policy
Breast Cancer Genetics Knowledge and Testing Intentions among Nigerian Professional Women
Authors: Ngene Samuel O. , Adedokun Babatunde , Adejumo Prisca , Olopade Olufunmilayo
Published: December 2017

Genetic testing services for breast cancer are well established in developed countries compared to African populations that bear a disproportionate burden of breast cancer (BC). The objective of this study is to examine the knowledge of professional Nigerian women about BC genetics and their intentions to utilize genetic testing services when it is made available in Nigeria. In this study, 165 lecturers and 189 bankers were recruited and studied using a validated self‐administered questionnaire. The respondents’ mean age was 34.9 years (SD = 10.9), 6.5% had family history of BC, and 84.7% had limited knowledge of breast cancer genetics. The proportion of women with genetic testing intentions for breast cancer was 87.3%. Health care access (OR = 2.35, 95% CI, 1.07–5.13), religion (OR = 3.51, 95% CI, 1.03–11.92), and perceived personal risk if a close relative had breast cancer (OR = 2.31, 95% CI, 1.05–5.08) independently predicted testing intentions. The genetic testing intentions for BC were high despite limited knowledge about breast cancer genetics. Promotion of BC genetics education as well as efforts to make BC genetic testing services available in Nigeria at reduced cost remains essential.
Utility of routine surveillance imaging for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma post autologous transplant
Authors: Mohyuddin Ghulam Rehman , Clark Ashley Elizabeth , Roller John , Shune Leyla , Lin Tara , Dunavin Neil , Dias Ajoy , Ganguly Siddhartha , Abhyankar Sunil , McGuirk Joseph , Singh Anurag
Published: December 2017

Surveillance scans after autologous stem cell transplant (auto-HCT) for patients with relapsed/refractory (RR) diffuse large B Cell lymphoma (DLBCL) have no proven survival benefit. We studied survival differences among patients with RR DLBCL post auto-HCT whose recurrences were detected clinically versus with routine surveillance imaging. Among the 139 patients with RR DLBCL that underwent auto-HCT from 2000 to 2014 at our institution, 37 relapsed: 21 clinical and 16 radiological. The median time to progression was 167 days for the clinical cohort and 565 days for the radiological cohort (p = 0.03), and median overall survival (OS) was 587 days and not reached, respectively (p = 0.006). Most patients with relapsed DLBCL after auto-HCT were diagnosed clinically and were likely to be detected earlier and have a shorter OS. Relapse in patients with aggressive disease will likely be detected when clinically apparent, and the outcome of these patients is independent of the way the relapse is diagnosed. Thus, universal scanning after auto-HCT appears to have little benefit.
Development of smart machining system for optimizing feedrates to minimize machining time
Authors: Park Hong-seok , Qi Bowen , Dang Duck-Viet , Park Dae Yu
Published: December 2017

Feedrate optimization is an important aspect of getting shorter machining time and increase the potential of efficient machining. This paper presents an autonomous machining system and optimization strategies to predict and improve the performance of milling operations. The machining process was simulated and analyzed in virtual machining framework to extract cutter-workpiece engagement conditions. Cutting force along the cutting segmentation is evaluated based on the laws of mechanics of milling. In simulation, constraint-based optimization scheme was used to maximize the cutting force by calculating acceptable feedrate levels as the optimizing strategy. The intelligent algorithm was integrated into autonomous machining system to modify NC program to accommodate these new feedrates values. The experiment using optimized NC file which generates by our smart machining system were conducted. The result showed autonomous machining system, was effectively reduced 26%.

Highlights The smart machining system was implemented in the CNC machine. Optimal feed rates enhance machine tool efficiency. The smart machining system is reliable to reduce machine time.
Radiative decay of the nonlinear oscillations of an adiabatic spherical bubble at small Mach number
Authors: Smith Warren R. , Wang Qianxi
Published: December 2017

A theoretical study is carried out for bubble oscillation in a compressible liquid with significant acoustic radiation based on the Keller–Miksis equation using a multi-scaled perturbation method. The leading-order analytical solution of the bubble radius history is obtained to the Keller–Miksis equation in a closed form including both compressible and surface tension effects. Some important formulae are derived including: the average energy loss rate of the bubble system for each cycle of oscillation, an explicit formula for the dependence of the oscillation frequency on the energy, and an implicit formula for the amplitude envelope of the bubble radius as a function of the energy. Our theory shows that the frequency of oscillation does not change on the inertial time scale at leading order, the energy loss rate on the long compressible time scale being proportional to the Mach number. These asymptotic predictions have excellent agreement with experimental results and the numerical solutions of the Keller–Miksis equation over very long times. A parametric analysis is undertaken using the above formula for the energy of the bubble system, frequency of oscillation and minimum/maximum bubble radii in terms of the dimensionless initial pressure of the bubble gases (or, equivalently, the dimensionless equilibrium radius), Weber number and polytropic index of the bubble gas.
Gel-controlled droplet spreading
Authors: Jalaal M. , Seyfert C. , Stoeber B. , Balmforth N. J.
Published: December 2017

Spreading and stationary droplets of a thermally responsive fluid on a heated surface are studied. The fluid undergoes a reversible gel formation at elevated temperature. The spatio-temporal pattern of gel formation within the droplet is examined using an experimental method based on spectral domain optical coherence tomography and time varying speckle patterns. Two stages of gel formation can be distinguished: first, a thin crust appears starting at the contact line. Second, a gel layer appears above the heated plate and then expands upward. We attribute the first stage of gel formation to solvent evaporation and heating through the air and the second to thermal conduction through the fluid from the base. Gel formation at the contact line is likely responsible for the arrest of spreading droplets, but was not detectable with our experimental protocol at the time of contact line arrest, suggesting that this arose over a microscopic length scale. Overall, substrate heating provides an effective way to control the final shape of droplets of thermo-responsive fluids.
Editor's Closing Remarks: Tomorrow is here
Authors: Morgan Robert F.
Published: December 2017

In agreement with our publisher, this is our seventh and last year as the online Journal of Tropical Psychology.
A Census of Southern Pulsars at 185 MHz
Authors: Xue Mengyao , Bhat N. D. R. , Tremblay S. E. , Ord S. M. , Sobey C. , Swainston N. A. , Kaplan D. L. , Johnston Simon , Meyers B. W. , McSweeney S. J.
Published: December 2017

The Murchison Widefield Array, and its recently developed Voltage Capture System, facilitates extending the low-frequency range of pulsar observations at high-time and -frequency resolution in the Southern Hemisphere, providing further information about pulsars and the ISM. We present the results of an initial time-resolved census of known pulsars using the Murchison Widefield Array. To significantly reduce the processing load, we incoherently sum the detected powers from the 128 Murchison Widefield Array tiles, which yields ~10% of the attainable sensitivity of the coherent sum. This preserves the large field-of-view (~450 deg2 at 185 MHz), allowing multiple pulsars to be observed simultaneously. We developed a WIde-field Pulsar Pipeline that processes the data from each observation and automatically folds every known pulsar located within the beam. We have detected 50 pulsars to date, 6 of which are millisecond pulsars. This is consistent with our expectation, given the telescope sensitivity and the sky coverage of the processed data (~17 000 deg2). For 10 pulsars, we present the lowest frequency detections published. For a subset of the pulsars, we present multi-frequency pulse profiles by combining our data with published profiles from other telescopes. Since the Murchison Widefield Array is a low-frequency precursor to the Square Kilometre Array, we use our census results to forecast that a survey using the low-frequency component of the Square Kilometre Array Phase 1 can potentially detect around 9 400 pulsars.
Values and Political Predispositions in the Age of Polarization: Examining the Relationship between Partisanship and Ideology in the United States, 1988–2012
Authors: Lupton Robert N. , Smallpage Steven M. , Enders Adam M.
Published: December 2017

The correlation between ideology and partisanship in the mass public has increased in recent decades amid a climate of persistent and growing elite polarization. Given that core values shape subsequent political predispositions, as well as the demonstrated asymmetry of elite polarization, this article hypothesizes that egalitarianism and moral traditionalism moderate the relationship between ideology and partisanship in that the latter relationship will have increased over time only among individuals who maintain conservative value orientations. An analysis of pooled American National Election Studies surveys from 1988 to 2012 supports this hypothesis. The results enhance scholarly understanding of the role of core values in shaping mass belief systems and testify to the asymmetric nature and mass public reception of elite cues among liberals and conservatives.
Full-plate modelling in pre-Jurassic time
Authors: DOMEIER MATHEW , TORSVIK TROND H.
Published: December 2017

A half-century has passed since the dawning of the plate tectonic revolution, and yet, with rare exception, palaeogeographic models of pre-Jurassic time are still constructed in a way more akin to Wegener's paradigm of continental drift. Historically, this was due to a series of problems – the near-complete absence of in situ oceanic lithosphere older than 200 Ma, a fragmentary history of the latitudinal drift of continents, unconstrained longitudes, unsettled geodynamic concepts and a lack of efficient plate modelling tools – which together precluded the construction of plate tectonic models. But over the course of the last five decades strategies have been developed to overcome these problems, and the first plate model for pre-Jurassic time was presented in 2002. Following on that pioneering work, but with a number of significant improvements (most notably longitude control), we here provide a recipe for the construction of full-plate models (including oceanic lithosphere) for pre-Jurassic time. In brief, our workflow begins with the erection of a traditional (or ‘Wegenerian’) continental rotation model, but then employs basic plate tectonic principles and continental geology to enable reconstruction of former plate boundaries, and thus the resurrection of lost oceanic lithosphere. Full-plate models can yield a range of testable predictions that can be used to critically evaluate them, but also novel information regarding long-term processes that we have few (or no) alternative means of investigating, thus providing exceptionally fertile ground for new exploration and discovery.
Evaluating host–parasite co-adaptation relationships involving Angiostrongylus costaricensis
Authors: Garrido C.T. , Morassutti A.L. , Barradas J.R.S. , Graeff-Teixeira C.
Published: December 2017

Angiostrongylus costaricensis is a parasite that infects rodents, including the wild cotton rat Sigmodon hispidus and pygmy rice rats Oligoryzomys spp., among others. However, urban Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus have not been identified as important hosts of A. costaricensis. In this study, Swiss mice (SW), Wistar R. norvegicus (RN), wild Oligoryzomys nigripes (ON) and a local strain of M. musculus (RGS) were experimentally infected with A. costaricensis. Survival, elimination of L1 (total sum per group, A0), and the number of adult worms recovered divided by the dose of each L3 inoculum (yield ratio, YR) were examined for each group after a 40-day post-infection period. The survival rates, A0 and YR values were: 27%, 207,589 and 0.42 for the SW group; 81%, 8691 and 0.01 for the RN group; and 63.6%, 26,560 and 0.16 for the RGS group, respectively, in each case. The survival rate for the ON group was 100% and the A0 value was 847,050. A YR was not calculated for the ON group since the ON group was maintained up to 565 days post-infection (pi) to examine long-term mortality. At 500 days pi (16 months), 50% of the ON group had died, while one animal (10%) survived 595 days pi (20 months). Taken together, these data indicate that A. costaricensis has undergone a greater degree of adaptation to the wild rodent, O. nigripes, than to R. norvegicus or a local M. musculus strain. In addition, titre curve (A0) modelling of adaptation status proved to be useful in evaluating A. costaricensis–rodent interactions.
Love and the Pitfall of Moralism
Authors: Pacovská Kamila
Published: December 2017

In what sense does love presuppose appreciation of the other's character? First, I argue that loving appreciation is more often a source of truthful vision than of bias and idealisation. Second, using the example of Elizabeth Bennett, I show that the tendency to forfeit love for those who lose our good opinion can be an expression of undue moralism and pride. Nonjudgmental responses to the other's flaws show how virtuous love can combine both realistic vision of the other's flaws and appreciation of the other that does not stand on balancing flaws with qualities. Such love is in the end connected with a conception of goodness inspired by Kierkegaard and Weil.
Comparative efficacy and acceptability of pharmacological treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder in adults: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Cipriani Andrea , Williams Taryn , Nikolakopoulou Adriani , Salanti Georgia , Chaimani Anna , Ipser Jonathan , Cowen Phil J. , Geddes John R. , Stein Dan J.
Published: December 2017

Background

Guidelines about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) recommend broad categories of drugs, but uncertainty remains about what pharmacological treatment to select among all available compounds.

Methods

Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials register, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, National PTSD Center Pilots database, PubMed, trial registries, and databases of pharmaceutical companies were searched until February 2016 for double-blind randomised trials comparing any pharmacological intervention or placebo as oral therapy in adults with PTSD. Initially, we performed standard pairwise meta-analyses using a random effects model. We then carried out a network meta-analysis. The main outcome measures were mean change on a standardised scale and all-cause dropout rate. Acute treatment was defined as 8-week follow up.

Results

Desipramine, fluoxetine, paroxetine, phenelzine, risperidone, sertraline, and venlafaxine were more effective than placebo; phenelzine was better than many other active treatments and was the only drug, which was significantly better than placebo in terms of dropouts (odds ratio 7.50, 95% CI 1.72–32.80). Mirtazapine yielded a relatively high rank for efficacy, but the respective value for acceptability was not among the best treatments. Divalproex had overall the worst ranking.

Conclusions

The efficacy and acceptability hierarchies generated by our study were robust against many sources of bias. The differences between drugs and placebo were small, with the only exception of phenelzine. Considering the small amount of available data, these results are probably not robust enough to suggest phenelzine as a drug of choice. However, findings from this review reinforce the idea that phenelzine should be prioritised in future trials in PTSD.