bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Examining the Evolution of the Field of Public Administration through a Bibliometric Analysis of Public Administration Review
Authors: Ni Chaoqun , Sugimoto Cassidy R. , Robbin Alice
Published: March 2017

In 2015, Public Administration Review celebrated its 75th year of publication. For this milestone, the PAR Editorial Board selected the 75 most influential articles in the history of the journal and invited scholars to “revisit a selection of these articles” in order “to take stock of what these articles meant for the field.” Bibliometrics offers a complementary view of the history of a discipline and the evolution of its research and practice agendas through an analysis of its published literature. This article examines the changes over time in PAR from 1940 through 2013 in authorship: contributions, impact, gender composition, institutional and national affiliation, profession as scholar or practitioner, collaboration networks, and the status of the 75 influential articles. Through an extensive quantitative analysis of scholarly production, this article demonstrates PAR’s centrality to the discipline of public administration and its bridging role between public administration and political science.
Self‐Organisation in Oosterwold, Almere: Challenges with Public Goods and Externalities
Authors: Van Straalen Fennie M. , Witte Patrick , Buitelaar Edwin
Published: March 2017

Attention to self‐organisation and spontaneous order in urban development is growing both in academia and in planning practice. One of the current academic discussions centres around the desirability of self‐organisation. This paper evaluates the case of self‐organisation in Oosterwold Almere in the Netherlands — an atypical case as it is a large‐scale experimental project of organic urban development. We analysed how this case deals with traditional welfare‐economic justifications for urban planning by the government. Several challenges of self‐governing communities in dealing with public goods and negative externalities are identified. The case of Oosterwold highlights the continued importance of collective action, both in the provision and management of public goods and services, and in the prevention of free‐rider behaviour and inefficient use of space. In Oosterwold, collective solutions are being established to deal with challenges concerning institutions, common costs, and the liability of replacing the urban planning by the government.
Structural basis of the day-night transition in a bacterial circadian clock
Authors: Tseng Roger , Goularte Nicolette F. , Chavan Archana , Luu Jansen , Cohen Susan E. , Chang Yong-Gang , Heisler Joel , Li Sheng , Michael Alicia K. , Tripathi Sarvind , Golden Susan S. , LiWang Andy , Partch Carrie L.
Published: March 2017

Molecular clockwork from cyanobacteria

The cyanobacterial circadian clock oscillator can be reconstituted in a test tube from just three proteins—KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC—and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Tseng
et al.
studied crystal and nuclear magnetic resonance structures of complexes of the oscillator proteins and their signaling output proteins and tested the in vivo effects of structure-based mutants. Large conformational changes in KaiB and ATP hydrolysis by KaiC are coordinated with binding to output protein, which couples signaling and the day-night transitions of the clock. Snijder
et al.
provide complementary analysis of the oscillator proteins by mass spectrometry and cryo–electron microscopy. Their results help to explain the structural basis for the dynamic assembly of the oscillator complexes.

Science
, this issue p.
1174
, p.
1181
Mobile MUTE specifies subsidiary cells to build physiologically improved grass stomata
Authors: Raissig Michael T. , Matos Juliana L. , Anleu Gil M. Ximena , Kornfeld Ari , Bettadapur Akhila , Abrash Emily , Allison Hannah R. , Badgley Grayson , Vogel John P. , Berry Joseph A. , Bergmann Dominique C.
Published: March 2017

Making more of your stomata

Stomata on grasses are made up of two guard cells and two subsidiary cells, and they perform better than stomata on broad-leaved plants, which are made up only of two guard cells. Raissig
et al.
found that the MUTE transcription factor in the wheat-like grass
Brachypodium
is a little bigger than the equivalent protein in the model broad-leaved plant
Arabidopsis
. The extension in the grass protein promotes its movement into adjacent cells, prompting them to become subsidiary cells. Mutant
Brachypodium
whose MUTE protein could not move between cells lacked stomatal subsidiary cells and grew poorly.

Science
, this issue p.
1215
Epitaxial lift-off of electrodeposited single-crystal gold foils for flexible electronics
Authors: Mahenderkar Naveen K. , Chen Qingzhi , Liu Ying-Chau , Duchild Alexander R. , Hofheins Seth , Chason Eric , Switzer Jay A.
Published: March 2017

Lifting off gold films

A method for growing and removing single-crystal gold films can be used to create a flexible and transparent substrate for devices. Mahenderkar
et al.
grew gold films on the face of a silicon wafer and then used photoelectrochemistry to undergrow a sacrificial silicon dioxide layer. This layer allowed the gold film to be peeled off with adhesive tape. A 28-nm-thick gold foil showed a minimal increase in sheet electrical resistance after 4000 bending cycles. Flexible films of single-crystal cuprous oxide and of zinc oxide nanowires were then grown on the gold foils.

Science
, this issue p.
1203
Waste disposal—An attractive strategy for cancer therapy
Authors: Salami Jemilat , Crews Craig M.
Published: March 2017

Targeted therapies for cancer are typically small molecules or monoclonal antibodies that act by inhibiting the activity of specific proteins that drive tumor growth. Although many of these drugs are effective in cancer patients, the response is often not durable because tumor cells develop resistance to the drugs. Another limitation of this strategy is that not all oncogenic driver proteins are “druggable” enzymes or receptors with activities that can be inhibited. Here we describe an alternative approach to targeted therapy that is based on co-opting the cellular quality-control machinery—the ubiquitin-proteasome system—to remove specific cancer-causing proteins from the cell. We first discuss examples of existing cancer drugs that work by degrading specific proteins and then review recent progress in the rational design and preclinical testing of small molecules that induce selective degradation of specific target proteins.
Clinical Manifestations, Treatment, and Diagnosis of Tropheryma whipplei Infections
Authors: Dolmans Ruben A. V. , Boel C. H. Edwin , Lacle Miangela M. , Kusters Johannes G.
Published: March 2017

Whipple's disease is a rare infectious disease that can be fatal if left untreated. The disease is caused by infection with
Tropheryma whipplei
, a bacterium that may be more common than was initially assumed. Most patients present with nonspecific symptoms, and as routine cultivation of the bacterium is not feasible, it is difficult to diagnose this infection. On the other hand, due to the generic symptoms, infection with this bacterium is actually quite often in the differential diagnosis. The gold standard for diagnosis used to be periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining of duodenal biopsy specimens, but PAS staining has a poor specificity and sensitivity. The development of molecular techniques has resulted in more convenient methods for detecting
T. whipplei
infections, and this has greatly improved the diagnosis of this often missed infection. In addition, the molecular detection of
T. whipplei
has resulted in an increase in knowledge about its pathogenicity, and this review gives an overview of the new insights in epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of
Tropheryma whipplei
infections.
A Prime/Boost PfCS14KM/MVA-sPfCSMVaccination Protocol Generates Robust CD8+T Cell and Antibody Responses to Plasmodium falciparum Circumsporozoite Protein and Protects Mice against Malaria
Authors: Vijayan Aneesh , Mejías-Pérez Ernesto , Espinosa Diego A. , Raman Suresh C. , Sorzano Carlos Oscar S. , Zavala Fidel , Esteban Mariano
Published: March 2017

Vaccines against the preerythrocytic stages of malaria are appealing because the parasite can be eliminated before disease onset and because they offer the unique possibility of targeting the parasite with both antibodies and T cells. Although the role of CD8+T cells in preerythrocytic malaria stages is well documented, a highly effective T cell-inducing vaccine remains to be advanced. Here we report the development of a prime-boost immunization regimen with thePlasmodium falciparumcircumsporozoite protein (PfCS) fused to the oligomer-forming vaccinia virus A27 protein and a modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vector expressing PfCS. This protocol induced polyfunctional CD8+T cells with an effector memory phenotype and high PfCS antibody levels. These immune responses correlated with inhibition of liver-stage parasitemia in 80% and sterile protection in 40% of mice challenged with a transgenicP. bergheiparasite line that expressed PfCS. Our findings underscore the potential of T and B cell immunization strategies for improving protective effectiveness against malaria.
In Vitro
Activity of Imipenem against Carbapenemase-Positive Enterobacteriaceae Isolates Collected by the SMART Global Surveillance Program from 2008 to 2014
Authors: Karlowsky James A. , Lob Sibylle H. , Kazmierczak Krystyna M. , Badal Robert E. , Young Katherine , Motyl Mary R. , Sahm Daniel F.
Published: March 2017

The Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) global surveillance program collected 103,960 isolates of
Enterobacteriaceae
from 2008 to 2014. From this isolate collection, all ertapenem-nonsusceptible isolates (MIC, ≥1 μg/ml;
n
= 3,428) and 9,371 isolates of
Escherichia coli
,
Klebsiella pneumoniae
,
Klebsiella oxytoca
, and
Proteus mirabilis
with an ertapenem-susceptible extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-positive phenotype were assessed for the presence of common carbapenemase genes using a Check-MDR CT101 microarray (Check-Points, Wageningen, the Netherlands) and published multiplex PCR assays. Testing identified 1,493 isolates that harbored a carbapenemase gene (1,485 ertapenem-nonsusceptible isolates and 8 ertapenem-susceptible ESBL-positive isolates) and accounted for 1.4% (1,493/103,960) of all isolates of
Enterobacteriaceae
. The most frequently identified carbapenemase genes were the KPC (
n
= 794), OXA-48-like (
n
= 300), and NDM (
n
= 290) genes. Carbapenemase genes were most frequently identified in
Klebsiella pneumoniae
(
n
= 1,127),
Escherichia coli
(
n
= 149), and
Enterobacter cloacae
(
n
= 110). Among the carbapenemase-positive isolates, 66.7% (2/3), 37.0% (111/300), 20.0% (8/40), 3.3% (3/92), 2.3% (18/794), and 0% (0/290) of the isolates with genes for GES, OXA-48-like, IMP, VIM, KPC, and NDM, respectively, were susceptible to imipenem (MIC, ≤1 μg/ml). Isolates that tested as susceptible to imipenem were not uncommon among carbapenemase-positive isolates (9.4%, 141/1,493) and most frequently carried OXA-48-like enzymes (78.7%; 111/141); however, overall, these isolates remained rare (0.1%, 141/103,960). The practice of screening clinical isolates of
Enterobacteriaceae
that test as susceptible to carbapenems
in vitro
for the presence of carbapenemase genes remains controversial and requires further study.
Marker Recycling in Candida albicans through CRISPR-Cas9-Induced Marker Excision
Authors: Huang Manning Y. , Mitchell Aaron P.
Published: March 2017

It is critical to be able to alter genes in order to elucidate their functions. These alterations often rely upon markers that allow selection for a rare cell in a population that has incorporated a piece of DNA. The number of alterations that can be accomplished is thus limited by the number of selection markers that are available. This limitation is circumvented by marker recycling strategies, in which a marker is eliminated after its initial use. Then, the marker can be used again. In this report, we describe a new marker recycling strategy that is enabled by recently developed CRISPR-Cas9 technology.
Vascular challenges from pancreatoduodenectomy in the setting of coeliac artery stenosis
Authors: Beane Joal D , Schwarz Roderich E
Published: March 2017

Coeliac artery stenosis due to median arcuate ligament compression or atherosclerotic disease is a frequently unrecognised challenge to recovery after pancreatoduodenectomy. The described case illustrates management with intraoperative superior mesenteric artery to hepatic artery bypass graft that led to haemorrhagic challenges postoperatively but ultimately a good recovery. Aspects of preoperative diagnosis, preoperative intervention and intraoperative management options are reviewed. Surgeons need to possess these tools to prevent complications from coeliac artery stenosis when pancreatoduodenectomy is required.
Relevance of clerkship characteristics in changing students' interest in family medicine: a questionnaire survey
Authors: Herwig Anna , Viehmann Anja , Thielmann Anika , Gesenhues Stefan , Weltermann Birgitta
Published: March 2017

Objectives

Exposure to family medicine (FM) can serve to promote students' interest in this field. This study aimed at identifying clerkship characteristics which decrease or increase students' interest in FM.

Design

This cross-sectional questionnaire study analysed students' clerkship evaluations between the years 2004 and 2014. Descriptive statistics were used to compare four predefined groups: (1) high interest in FM before and after the clerkship (Remained high), (2) poor interest before and after the clerkship (Remained low), (3) poor interest before the clerkship which improved (Increased) and (4) high interest before the clerkship which decreased (Decreased).

Setting

Students' evaluations of FM clerkships in the fourth of 6 years of medical school.

Participants

All questionnaires with complete answers on students' interest in FM and its change as a result of the clerkship (2382 of 3963; 60.1%). The students' mean age was 26 years (± 3.9), 62.7% (n=1505) were female.

Outcome measure

The outcome was a change in students' interest in FM after completing the clerkship.

Results

Interest in FM after the clerkship was as follows: 40.1% (n=954) Remained high, 5.5% (n=134) Remained low, 42.1% (n=1002) Increased and 12.3% (n=292) Decreased. Students with decreased interest had performed a below-average number of learning activities (4 vs 6 activities). A total of 45.9% (n=134 of 292) of the students with decreased interest reported that the difficulty of the challenge was inadequate for their educational level: 81.3% (n=109) felt underchallenged and 18.7% (n=25) overchallenged.

Conclusions

In more than 50% of cases, the clerkship changed the students' interest in FM. Those with decreased interest were more frequently underchallenged. We observed an increase in FM if at least six learning activities were trained. Our findings stress the importance of well-designed FM clerkships. There is a need for standardised educational strategies which enable teaching physicians to operationalise educational requirements.
Antibiotics for acute respiratory tract infections: a mixed-methods study of patient experiences of non-medical prescriber management
Authors: Courtenay Molly , Rowbotham Samantha , Lim Rosemary , Deslandes Rhian , Hodson Karen , MacLure Katie , Peters Sarah , Stewart Derek
Published: March 2017

Objective

To (1) explore patients' expectations and experiences of nurse and pharmacist non-medical prescriber-led management of respiratory tract infections (RTIs), (2) examine whether patient expectations for antibiotics affect the likelihood of receiving them and (3) understand factors influencing patient satisfaction with RTI consultations.

Design

Mixed methods.

Setting

Primary care.

Participants

Questionnaires from 120 patients and follow-up interviews with 22 patients and 16 nurse and pharmacist non-medical prescribers (NMPs).

Results

Patients had multiple expectations of their consultation with 43% expecting to be prescribed an antibiotic. There was alignment between self-reported patient expectations and those perceived by NMPs. Patient expectations for non-antibiotic strategies, such as education to promote self-management, were associated with receipt of those strategies, whereas patient expectations for an antibiotic were not associated with receipt of these medications. ‘Patient-centred’ management strategies (including reassurance and providing information) were received by 86.7% of patients. Regardless of patients' expectations or the management strategy employed, high levels of satisfaction were reported for all aspects of the consultation. Taking concerns seriously, conducting a physical examination, communicating the treatment plan, explaining treatment decisions and lack of time restrictions were each reported to contribute to patient satisfaction.

Conclusions

NMPs demonstrate an understanding of patient expectations of RTI consultations and use a range of non-antibiotic management strategies, particularly those resembling a patient-centred approach. Overall, patients' expectations were met and prescribers were not unduly influenced by patient expectations for an antibiotic. Patients were satisfied with the consultation, indicating that strategies used by NMPs were acceptable. However, the lower levels of satisfaction among patients who expected but did not receive an antibiotic indicates that although NMPs appear to have strategies for managing RTI consultations, there is still scope for improvement and these prescribers are therefore an important group to involve in antimicrobial stewardship.
Building a new life in Australia: an analysis of the first wave of the longitudinal study of humanitarian migrants in Australia to assess the association between social integration and self-rated health
Authors: Chen Wen , Ling Li , Renzaho Andre M N
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To assess the relationship between social integration and physical and mental health among humanitarian migrants (HMs) in Australia.

Design, setting and participants

We used the recently released first wave of data from the 2013 ‘Building a New Life in Australia’ survey, which is an ongoing nationwide longitudinal study. A total of 2399 HMs participated in the survey.

Main outcome measures

Self-rated physical health was measured using four items selected from the SF-36 which is a generic measure of health status. The 6-item Kessler Screening Scale for Psychological Distress (K6) was used to measure mental health. Social integration was measured using four dimensions: economic integration, acculturation, social capital and self-identity.

Results

More than half (63%), 47% and 49% of participants self-rated well on the general health, physical function and role-physical dimensions, respectively and 46% reported not having any bodily pain. Seventeen per cent of participants had a serious mental illness. There was a positive relationship between social integration and physical and mental health. That is, factors associated with better health included less financial hardship (economic integration dimension), better English proficiency and self-sufficiency (acculturation dimension), having the capacity to communicate with locals, having friends from different ethnic/religious groups and attending a place of worship weekly or more often (social capital dimension) and feeling welcomed and having a strong sense of belonging in Australia (self-identity dimension).

Conclusions

Using a more comprehensive framework of social integration, we found that greater social integration was associated with better physical and mental health outcomes among HMs. Social integration should be embedded in HMs' resettlement programmes in order to reduce migration-related health inequities.
Metabolic syndrome in Finnish women 7 years after a gestational diabetes prevention trial
Authors: Puhkala Jatta , Raitanen Jani , Kolu Päivi , Tuominen Pipsa , Husu Pauliina , Luoto Riitta
Published: March 2017

Background

Risk for developing metabolic syndrome (MeS) after delivery is high among women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but little is known about development of MeS among women with risk factors for GDM during pregnancy. In the present study, we studied the prevalence of MeS 7 years postpartum among women with GDM risk factors during pregnancy, women with early GDM diagnosis and women without GDM risk factors. We also analysed the early pregnancy risk factors associated with MeS.

Methods

A Finnish cluster randomised controlled GDM prevention trial was conducted in 2007–2009. The prevalence of MeS according to International Diabetes Federation criteria was determined in the follow-up study 7 years after original trial. Eligible participants (n=289) in 4 study groups (intervention (n=83) and usual care (n=87) with GDM risk factors; early GDM (n=51), and healthy control without GDM risk factors (n=68)) were evaluated for MeS. Binary logistic regression models were used to analyse risk factors associated with MeS.

Results

7 years postpartum, the MeS prevalence was 14% (95% CI 8% to 25%) in the intervention group; 15% (CI 8% to 25%) in the usual care group; 50% (CI 35% to 65%) in the early GDM group and 7% (CI 2% to 18%) in the healthy control group. OR for MeS in women with GDM risk factors did not differ from the healthy control group. Body mass index (BMI)-adjusted OR for MeS was 9.18 (CI 1.82 to 46.20) in the early GDM group compared with the healthy control group. Increased prepregnancy BMI was associated with MeS (OR, 1.17, CI 1.08 to 1.28, adjusted for group).

Conclusions

Increased prepregnancy BMI and early GDM diagnosis were the strongest risk factors for developing MeS 7 years postpartum. Overweight and obese women and especially those with early GDM should be monitored and counselled for cardiometabolic risk factors after delivery.
Occurrence, origin, and significance of melagranites in the South Mountain Batholith, Nova Scotia
Authors: MacDonald Michael A. , Clarke D. Barrie
Published: March 2017

Melagranites (colour index > 20, with biotite > garnet > cordierite) constitute ∼0.1% of the area of the 7300 km2 peraluminous South Mountain Batholith (SMB), Nova Scotia. The melagranites occur as small bodies showing sharp to gradational contacts against the Meguma Supergroup country rocks, and coeval mingling contacts against other facies of the batholith. They also occur as elliptical or blocky metre-scale enclaves elsewhere in the SMB. Characteristic petrological features of the melagranites include high modal abundances of sulphide minerals, strongly reacted metasedimentary xenoliths, mafic mineral-rich clots, apparent porphyritic textures with highly variable proportions of alkali feldspar megacrysts, and allotriomorphic-granular textures. Chemically and isotopically, melagranite rocks have wide compositional variations. In most major-element, trace-element, and isotopic variation diagrams, the melagranites lie on mixing lines between the more abundant granodioritic and monzogranitic phases of the SMB and the metasedimentary rocks of the Meguma Supergroup. Textural evidence, supported by published experimental evidence, suggests that the garnet, cordierite, and K-feldspar are peritectic phases resulting from incongruent melting of the pelitic fraction of the Meguma metasedimentary country rocks. The field relations, mineral assemblages, textural features, and chemical compositions of the melagranites all point to the melagranites as highly concentrated contamination zones in the SMB, representing small portions of the batholith that have failed either to complete the assimilation process or to disperse their contaminants widely in the batholith. As such, these rarely preserved melagranites provide petrogenetic information disproportionate in importance to their abundance in the batholith, especially about the significant role of contamination and assimilation in determining the physical and chemical composition of the SMB. Without preservation of melagranites in the SMB, and by extension all granite bodies, the petrogenetic importance of contamination is difficult to assess, even with trace-element and isotopic data. The present study shows that high quality field observations are as important in deciphering petrogenesis as chemical data.
Post-stratified change estimation for large-area forest biomass using repeated ALS strip sampling
Authors: Strîmbu Victor Felix , Ene Liviu Theodor , Gobakken Terje , Gregoire Timothy G. , Astrup Rasmus , Næsset Erik
Published: March 2017

Post-stratified model-assisted (MA) and hybrid (HY) estimators are used with repeated airborne laser scanning (ALS) strip sampling and national forest inventory field data for stratum-wise and overall estimation of aboveground biomass (AGB) stock and change. The study area covered the southern portion of the Hedmark County in Norway. Both MA and HY estimation substantially reduced the uncertainty in AGB change when compared with estimation using the field survey only. Relative efficiencies (relative variance) of 4.15 (MA) and 3.36 (HY) for overall estimates were found. The results suggest the MA estimator for single-time estimation and the HY as more appropriate for change estimation by cover class. With the HY estimator, a nested post-stratification scheme is demonstrated, combining cover classes with change classes, which enables detailed reporting for change according to cause within each cover class, and has the potential to improve the estimation precision. Finally, parametric bootstrapping is demonstrated as an empirical alternative to estimate the model-error component in the HY estimator. The model error estimated with parametric bootstrapping converged to the analytically determined value of the HY estimator within 1000 bootstrap samples.
Stereotactic radiosurgery delivery verification using tetrazolium salt-based gel as a dosimeter
Authors: Gossman Michael S. , Courter Erik J.L.
Published: March 2017

The recently made available ClearView® tetrazolium salt-based gel dosimeter, encapsulated in a vial, was tested to determine feasibility in use as an end-to-end dosimeter for stereotactic radiosurgery commissioning and quality assurance. A fabricated adaptor enabled direct attachment of the gel vial lid to a rod extension. The rod was inserted into a water-filled head phantom at the open neck location and locked into position. Once quality assurance testing of the linear accelerator was completed, a stereotactic plan was deployed. Optical scanning software enabled a direct comparison of the measured positional isocenter and dose distribution to the intended plan. Delivery accuracy was verified as line-dose profile plots of measured data coincide with the planned dose location and distribution. It has been demonstrated here that ClearView® gel contained in a vial is a suitable dosimeter for verifying stereotactic radiation therapy delivery accuracy. The end-to-end testing provided is geared to work identically for any small field study, including stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy, volumetric modulated arc therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, and three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy.
Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of multicolor tunable GdNbO4: Tb3+, Eu3+ phosphors based on energy transfer
Authors: Zhang Lu , Yi Shuangping , Hu Xiaoxue , Liang Boxin , Zhao Weiren , Wang Yinhai
Published: March 2017

A color-tunable phosphor based on Tb[Formula: see text]/Eu[Formula: see text] co-doped GdNbO4 were synthesized by a traditional solid-state reaction method. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectra, photoluminescence spectra and decay curves were utilized to characterize the as-prepared phosphors. XRD result indicated that various concentrations Tb[Formula: see text]/Eu[Formula: see text] single-doped and co-doped phosphors were well indexed to the pure GdNbO4 phase. The GdNbO4 host was proved to be a self-activated phosphor with broad absorption range from 200 nm to 325 nm. When Tb[Formula: see text] ions were added into the host lattice, the energy transferring from host to Tb[Formula: see text] was identified. And the broad absorption in the UV region was changed and enhanced. Therefore, we selected Tb[Formula: see text] as the sensitizer ion, and adjusted red component from Eu[Formula: see text] to control the emission color. The energy transfer from Tb[Formula: see text] to Eu[Formula: see text] was confirmed based on the luminescence spectra and decay curves. Furthermore, the energy transmission mechanism was deduced to be the dipole–quadrupole interaction. On the whole, the obtained GdNbO4, GdNbO4:Tb[Formula: see text], and GdNbO4:Tb[Formula: see text], Eu[Formula: see text] phosphors may have potential application in the UV white-light-emitting diodes (w-LEDs) and display devices.
An Improved Centroid-Based Boundary Constraint-Handling Method in Differential Evolution for Constrained Optimization
Authors: Juárez-Castillo Efrén , Pérez-Castro Nancy , Mezura-Montes Efrén
Published: March 2017

Differential Evolution (DE) is a population-based Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) for solving optimization problems over continuous spaces. Many optimization problems are constrained and have a bounded search space from which some vectors leave when the mutation operator of DE is applied. Therefore, it is necessary the use of a boundary constraint-handling method (BCHM) in order to repair the invalid mutant vectors. This paper presents a generalized and improved version of the Centroid BCHM in order to keep the search within the valid ranges of decision variables in constrained numerical optimization problems (CNOPs), which has been tested on a robust and comprehensive set of experiments that include a variant of DE specialized in dealing with CNOPs. This new version, named Centroid [Formula: see text], relocates the mutant vector in the centroid formed by K random vectors and one vector taken from the population that is within or near the feasible region. The results show that this new version has a major impact on the algorithm’s performance, and it is able to promote better final results through the improvement of both, the approach to the feasible region and the ability to generate better solutions.
On the internal state of the Schwarzschild black hole
Authors: Pollock M. D.
Published: March 2017

If the classical gravitational Lagrangian contains higher-derivative terms [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], then vacuum solutions of the Einstein–Hilbert theory [Formula: see text] are subject to modification at sufficiently large spacetime curvatures. Previously, we have calculated the effective energy–momentum tensor [Formula: see text] due to the quartic gravitational terms [Formula: see text] of the heterotic superstring theory in the four-dimensional background spacetime of the Schwarzschild black hole, obtaining an expression which satisfies the strong energy condition, and thereby suggests that the [Formula: see text] might not remove the central singularity. This conjecture was put forward from a different viewpoint by Horowitz and Myers, who argued that a non-singular black-hole interior resulting from the [Formula: see text] would be unstable, necessitating reappraisal of the notion of a singular interior spacetime. Here, we show that the chief features of the solution can be simulated by a Bardeen-type ansatz, assuming the spherically symmetric line element [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], which, when [Formula: see text], can explain heuristically why [Formula: see text] in the shell region [Formula: see text] of a macroscopic black hole for which [Formula: see text], while [Formula: see text] remains finite at [Formula: see text].
RHIZOPHORA APICULATA AS ECO-FRIENDLY INHIBITOR AGAINST MILD STEEL CORROSION IN 1 M HCL
Authors: ASAAD MOHAMMAD ALI , ISMAIL MOHAMMAD , RAJA PANDIAN BOTHI , KHALID NUR HAFIZAH A.
Published: March 2017

The inhibitive characteristics of aqueous extracts from mangrove (Rhizophora apiculata) bark and leaf on the corrosion of mild steel (MS) coupon in 1 M HCl were examined by means of the gravimetric measurement (weight loss), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. The MS surface morphologie were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX) at 120[Formula: see text]h in the presence and absence of green inhibitors in corrosive medium. Respective inhibition efficiencies of 68.1% and 59.0% were obtained when exposed to 10% v/v Rhizophora apiculata solution for 72[Formula: see text]h. Examination of the adsorption behavior of the solutions indicated the Langmuir isotherm model as being the most likely relevant adsorption mechanism. In addition, polarization measurements showed that both bark and leaves extract inhibitors act via mixed type inhibition.
EFFECTS OF HEAT TREATMENT ON TRIBOLOGICAL BEHAVIOR OF ELECTROLESS Ni–B COATING AT ELEVATED TEMPERATURES
Authors: MUKHOPADHYAY ARKADEB , BARMAN TAPAN KUMAR , SAHOO PRASANTA
Published: March 2017

The present work investigates the effects of heat treatment on friction and wear behavior of electroless Ni–B coatings at elevated temperatures. Coating is deposited on AISI 1040 steel specimens and subjected to heat treatments at 350[Formula: see text]C, 400[Formula: see text]C and 450[Formula: see text]C. Coating characterization is done using scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-Ray analysis and X-Ray diffraction analysis. Improvement in microhardness is observed for the heat treated deposits. Further, the effect of heat treatment on the tribological behavior of the coatings at room temperature, 100[Formula: see text]C, 300[Formula: see text]C and 500[Formula: see text]C are analyzed on a pin-on-disc setup. Heat treatment at 350[Formula: see text]C causes a significant improvement in the tribological behavior at elevated temperatures. Higher heat treatment temperatures cause deterioration in the wear resistance and coefficient of friction. The wear mechanism at 100[Formula: see text]C is observed to be predominantly adhesive along with abrasion. While at 300[Formula: see text]C, abrasive wear is seen to be the governing wear phenomenon. Formation of mechanically mixed layers is noticed at both the test temperatures of 100[Formula: see text]C and 300[Formula: see text]C for the coatings heat treated at 400[Formula: see text]C and 450[Formula: see text]C test temperature. The predominant wear mechanisms at 500[Formula: see text]C are abrasive and fatigue for as-deposited and heat treated coatings, respectively.
ELECTRODEPOSITION AND CORROSION RESISTANCE OF Ni–W–Al2O3NANOCOMPOSITE COATINGS
Authors: ZHOU QIONGYU , XIE WEI , ZHANG YADONG , SHENG MINQI , HU ANWEI , CHENG XIANG , ZHANG LU
Published: March 2017

Ni–W–Al2O3nanocomposite coatings were deposited on the low-carbon steel substrates from aqueous sulfate-citrate electrolytes containing various amounts of Al3O2nanoparticles. Their surface morphology, element and phase composition were carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The corrosion resistance was carried out using the potentiodynamic polarization (Tafel) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It is shown that incorporation of Al2O3nano-particles into amorphous Ni–W coating would transform its structure to being crystalline and influence its properties. The hardness sharply increases and corrosion resistance performance significantly decreases even after few Al2O3nanoparticles (2 g/L) were added into the bath. In addition, with increase of Al2O3addition in the bath, a tendency of increase in hardness and corrosion resistance performance is observed.
Seismic Analysis of Single-Layer Latticed Domes Composed of Welded Round Pipes Considering Low Cycle Fatigue
Authors: Yang Da-Bin , Liu Chun-Yang , Hu Ming-Na , Zhang Xin
Published: March 2017

Member failure due to low cycle fatigue may occur for steel structures under strong earthquakes. In this paper, the seismic response of single-layer latticed domes composed of welded round pipes is analyzed by the software Open System for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (OpenSees) incorporating low cyclic fatigue, in which the equations of initial camber for members are obtained from the buckling coefficient curve of compression members in Chinese codes. Single-layer latticed domes composed of welded round pipes with different parameters are modeled, and the seismic responses of the domes with and without material fatigue are compared by the incremental dynamic analysis. The results show that under strong earthquakes, the seismic responses including the maximum displacements and plastic development of the domes with fatigue are larger than those of the domes without fatigue. The collapsed PGAs decrease by 10–25% if low cycle fatigue is incorporated. Therefore, the low cycle fatigue of material should be taken into account in the seismic analyses of single-layer latticed domes under strong earthquakes.
BIOMECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS IN YOGA SIRSASANA
Authors: CHEN YO , LEE CHO-WEI , CHEN YU-LAN , LIN HUI-TING , CHANG JIA-HAO
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to understand how to process Yoga headstand and the difference between genders in headstand. Twelve skilled participates were recruited in this study (Males 34.1 [Formula: see text] 3.3 years, [Formula: see text]; Females 36.5 [Formula: see text] 3.9 years, [Formula: see text]). The 10 camera Vicon motion capture system, Kistler force plate, and Medilogic pressure mat were used synchronously to record the movement, ground reaction force, and pressure distribution during headstand. The Mann–Whitney U test and Friedman test ([Formula: see text]) was applied to assess the statistics. The trunk, hip, knee, and ankle joint angles were [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively, in all subjects. The pressure distribution was 38 [Formula: see text] 19%, 29 [Formula: see text] 12%, and 33 [Formula: see text] 9% on subjects’ heads, right elbows, and left elbows, respectively. The COP trajectory was 31.2 [Formula: see text] 17.4[Formula: see text]cm and surface area was 5.3 [Formula: see text] 1.4[Formula: see text]cm2. No significant differences were found in joint angles, overall force distribution, and COP trajectory and surface area between genders. Both males and females distribute body weight to the supports of head and elbows equally and kept the body straight and erect on the ground during Yoga headstand.
Gravity with torsion in non-conservative Maxwell-like gauge approach
Authors: Resconi G. , Licata I. , Corda C.
Published: March 2017

In this work, we take into consideration a generalization of Gauge Theories based on the analysis of the structural characteristics of Maxwell theory, which can be considered as the prototype of such kind of theories (Maxwell-like). Such class of theories is based on few principles related to different orders of commutators between covariant derivatives. Their physical meaning is very simple, and lies in stating that the local transformations of a suitable substratum (the space-time or a particular phase space) and the imposed constraints define a “compensative mechanism” or the “interaction” we want to characterize. After a mathematical introduction, we apply this approach to a modified theory of gravity, in which the algebra of operators of covariant derivatives leads to an additional term in the equation of motion associated with the non-conservation of the energy–momentum tensor. This offers the possibility to include, without ad hoc physical assumptions and directly from the formalism, new forms of coupling between matter and energy and the expression of the mixing between gravity and torsion.
AN ASSESSMENT OF NEW FARMERS’ PERCEPTIONS ABOUT AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES
Authors: KONTOGEORGOS ACHILLEAS , SERGAKI PANAGIOTA , CHATZITHEODORIDIS FOTIOS
Published: March 2017

The Common Agricultural Policy pays particular attention to the decline of young farmers in the European Union. For this reason, plenty of different policy measures and motives for new entrants in agriculture there have been established. The main objectives of this paper are to investigate the characteristics of new farmers according to their participation in Agricultural Cooperatives and to identify what makes new farmers participate (or not) in Agricultural Cooperatives. Both research questions will advance the knowledge of policy makers and practitioners on new farmers’ expectations and perceptions and through them, to come to distinctive conclusions about the measures and the actions needed to promote agricultural cooperatives as a viable solution for new entrants in the agricultural sector. For this reason, a survey was conducted in different regions of Greece (northern, central and southern) during an educational course designed for new farmers. More specifically, a structured questionnaire was developed and distributed among 250 new farmers participating in the measure 112 ‘Setting up of young farmers’ (Common Agricultural Policy, Pillar II). The results of the survey indicate low trust in the cooperative organization, leading to low rates of active participation and commitment to agricultural cooperatives.
Synthesis and Characterization of Folic Acid Labeled Upconversion Fluorescent Nanoprobes for in vitro Cancer Cells Targeted Imaging
Authors: Huang Ming , Wang Lijun , Zhang Xiaojuan , Zhou Jin , Liu Lihua , Pan Yuefang , Yu Bin , Yu Zhangsen
Published: March 2017

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are widely used in the field of biomedicine, such as biosensing, cell labeling and medical multimodal imaging because of their unique optical properties. In this paper, we demonstrated the synthesis of polyethylenimine-modified NaLuF4:Yb,Er ([Formula: see text], Yb[Formula: see text], Er[Formula: see text] UCNPs in three different solvents, such as water, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. The as-prepared UCNPs were characterized and the experimental results showed that the UCNPs synthesized in ethylene glycol had excellent properties. The obtained UCNPs in ethylene glycol had the smallest particle size and uniform size distribution, and the pure cubic phase of crystallization and Dynamic light scattering and particle dispersion index (DLS/Pdi) were the smallest. What’s more, the upconversion fluorescence intensity was 7 and 52 times greater than that of UCNPs synthesized in diethylene glycol and water, respectively. In addition, the factors of reaction solvent that had an impact on the particle size, morphology, crystalline phase, DLS and upconversion fluorescence intensity of the synthesized UCNPs were discussed. Moreover, in order to obtain the targeted nanoprobe, we used an EDC/NHS covalent coupling method to modify folic acid to the NaLuF4:Yb,Er/PEI UCNP surface. The NaLuF4:Yb,Er/PEI–FA upconversion fluorescent nanoprobes had low cytotoxicity and were suitable for the application in HeLa cells targeted fluorescent imaging.
Traveling wave solutions of a nonlocal dispersal SIRS model with spatio-temporal delay
Authors: Ma Zhaohai , Yuan Rong
Published: March 2017

This paper is mainly concerned with the existence and nonexistence of traveling wave solutions of a nonlocal dispersal SIRS model with nonlocal delayed transmissions. We find that the existence and nonexistence of traveling wave solutions are determined by the critical wave speed [Formula: see text]. More specifically, we establish the existence of traveling wave solutions for every wave speed [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] by means of upper-lower solutions and Schauder’s fixed point theorem. Nonexistence of traveling wave solutions is obtained by Laplace transform for any wave speed [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Bass numbers of generalized local cohomology modules with respect to a pair of ideals
Authors: Lotfi Parsa M.
Published: March 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be a Noetherian local ring, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are ideals of [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are [Formula: see text]-modules. We study the relationship between the Bass numbers of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. As a consequence, it follows that if one of the following holds:

(a) [Formula: see text] is a principal ideal of [Formula: see text], (b) [Formula: see text], (c) [Formula: see text] (when [Formula: see text] is local and [Formula: see text] is finitely generated), (d) [Formula: see text] (when [Formula: see text] is local), (e) [Formula: see text] (when [Formula: see text] is local),

then [Formula: see text] is finite for all [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], whenever [Formula: see text] is finitely generated and flat, [Formula: see text] is minimax, and [Formula: see text].
A characterization of Jordan and 5-Jordan homomorphisms between Banach algebras
Authors: Zivari-Kazempour A.
Published: March 2017

We prove that each surjective Jordan homomorphism from a Banach algebra [Formula: see text] onto a semiprime commutative Banach algebra [Formula: see text] is a homomorphism, and each 5-Jordan homomorphism from a unital Banach algebra [Formula: see text] into a semisimple commutative Banach algebra [Formula: see text] is a 5-homomorphism.
Four-Dimensional (4D) Printing: Applying Soft Adaptive Materials to Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Li Zibiao , Loh Xian Jun
Published: March 2017

Four-dimensional (4D) printing is an up-and-coming technology for the creation of dynamic devices which have shape changing capabilities or on-demand capabilities over time. Through the printing of adaptive 3D structures, the concept of 4D printing can be realized. Modern manufacturing primarily utilizes direct assembly techniques, limiting the possibility of error correction or instant modification of a structure. Self-building, programmable physical materials are interesting for the automatic and remote construction of structures. Adaptive materials are programmable physical or biological materials which possess shape changing properties or can be made to have simple logic responses. There is immense potential in having disorganized fragments form an ordered construct through physical interactions. However, these are currently limited to only self-assembly at the smallest scale, typically at the nanoscale. The answer to customizable macro-structures is in additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. 3D printing is a 30 years old technology which is beginning to be widely used by consumers. However, the main gripes about this technology are that it is too inefficient, inaccessible, and slow. Cost is also a significant factor in the adoption of this technology. 3D printing has the potential to transform and disrupt the manufacturing landscape as well as our lives. 4D printing seeks to use multi-functional materials in 3D printing so that the printed structure has multiple response capabilities and able to self-assemble on the macroscale. In this paper, we will analyze the early promise of this technology as well as to highlight potential challenges that adopters could face. The primary focus will be to have a look at the application of materials to 3D printing and to show how these materials can be tailored to create responsive customized 4D structures.