bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cattle Diets Strongly Affect Nitrous Oxide in the Rumen
Authors: Gerlach Katrin , Schmithausen Alexander J. , Sommer Ansgar C. H. , Trimborn Manfred , Büscher Wolfgang , Südekum Karl-Heinz
Published: October 2018

This study aimed at assigning climate-relevant gaseous emissions from ruminants to animal- or feed-related origin. Three adult rumen-cannulated German Holstein steers and three forage types (corn silage (CS), alfalfa silage (AS) and grass hay (GH)) were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design. Each period consisted of 12 days (d), during which animals received 10 kg dry matter/day of one forage as sole feed. Gaseous samples from forages and the steers´ rumen were taken and analyzed for CO2, CH4, and N2O using gas chromatography. There were large differences in the amounts of CO2 and N2O emitting from the forage types. Most N2O came from AS and only small amounts from GH and CS. Results indicate that fermented forages rich in nitrogen can release climate-relevant N2O. The highest CO2 amounts were measured in CS. Methane was not detected in any forage sample. Animals consuming CS showed slightly lower CH4 concentrations in the rumen gas sample than animals fed AS or GH. Big differences were found for ruminal N2O with the highest concentration after AS ingestion such that the N2O measured in the rumen seems to originate from the used feedstuff.
Food Security for an Aging and Heavier Population
Authors: Vásquez Felipe , Vita Gibran , Müller Daniel
Published: October 2018

Changes in national and global food demand are commonly explained by population growth, dietary shifts, and food waste. Although nutrition sciences demonstrate that biophysical characteristics determine food requirements in individuals, and medical and demographic studies provide evidence for large shifts in height, weight, and age structure worldwide, the aggregated effects for food demand are poorly understood. Here, a type–cohort–time stock model is applied to analyze the combined effect of biophysical and demographic changes in the adult population of 186 countries between 1975–2014. The average global adult in 2014 was 14% heavier, 1.3% taller, 6.2% older, and had a 6.1% higher energy demand than the average adult in 1975. Across countries, individuals’ weight gains ranged between 6–33%, and energy needs increased between 0.9–16%. Noteworthy, some of the highest and lowest increases coexist within Africa and Asia, signaling the disparities between the countries of these regions. Globally, food energy increased by 129% during the studied period. Population growth contributed with 116%; weight and height gains accounted for 15%; meanwhile, the aging phenomenon counteracted the rise in energy needs by −2%. This net additional 13% demand corresponded to the needs of 286 million adults. Since the effect of biodemographic changes are cumulative, we can expect the observed inertia to extend into the future. This work shows that considering the evolving individual biophysical characteristics jointly with sociodemographic changes can contribute to more robust global resource and food security assessments. Commonly used static and homogenous caloric demand values per capita might lead to misrepresentations of actual needs. What previous analyses could have estimated as increased food availability, sufficiency, or surplus waste might actually be energy sequestered by the mass of the human lot. Based on the discovered trends, feeding nine billion people in 2050 will require significantly more total calories than feeding the same people today.
Deep Decarbonisation from a Biophysical Perspective: GHG Emissions of a Renewable Electricity Transformation in the EU
Authors: Di Felice Louisa Jane , Ripa Maddalena , Giampietro Mario
Published: October 2018

In light of climate change and security concerns, decarbonisation has become a priority for industrialised countries. In the European Union (EU), decarbonisation scenarios used to support decision-making predict a steady decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, mostly driven by changes in production mixes and improvements in efficiency. In the EU’s decarbonisation pathways, the power sector plays a large role, reaching zero emissions by 2050. From a biophysical perspective, decarbonisation becomes not just a matter of replacing carbon-intensive with carbon-neutral electricity flows, but also a matter of building and maintaining new infrastructure (funds) which, in turn, is associated with GHG emissions. By not accounting for the emissions associated with funds, particularly those required to increase grid flexibility, scenarios used to inform decarbonisation narratives in the EU are missing a key part of the picture. We show that a rapid and deep decarbonisation of the EU’s power sector through a production-side transition between the years 2020 and 2050 leads to cumulative emissions of the order of 21–25 Gt of CO2 equivalent, within a range of approximately 35–45%. The results are obtained by modelling two decarbonisation pathways where grid flexibility increases either through storage or through curtailment. The analysis suggests that scenarios informing decarbonisation policies in the EU are optimistic and may lead to a narrow focus on sustainable production transformations. This minimises the perceived urgency of reducing overall energy consumption to stay within safe carbon budgets.
Understanding Acceptability towards Sustainable Transportation Behavior: A Case Study of China
Authors: Waqas Muhammad , Dong Qian-li , Ahmad Naveed , Zhu Yuming , Nadeem Muhammad
Published: October 2018

Nowadays, increased usage of motorized vehicles has become a cause of serious environmental and health problems which results in noise pollution, air pollution and the emission of greenhouse gases. Sustainable transportation options such as green public buses, subways and public cycling have been introduced to improve environmental quality. However, their adoption is still in the initial stage. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the consumer attitude towards sustainable transportation, and their willingness to choose different environmentally friendly options like cycling and public green transportation by applying a norm activation model (NAM). More specifically, this study explored the role of different predictors (sustainable transport benefits awareness, traffic problem awareness, government policies and symbolic motives of using a car) affecting citizen’s acceptability to sustainable transportation options with mediating role of environmental concern and moderating role of self-transcendence and self-enhancement. A questionnaire-based survey conducted in four major metropolitan cities of China including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi’an found that acceptability towards sustainable transportation is derived from sustainable transport benefits awareness and traffic. Symbolic motives of the car have a negative association with acceptability towards sustainable transportation. The mediating effect of environmental concerns was proved, which extends the role of NAM in this study. Self-transcendence and self-enhancement have positive and negative moderating effects consecutively towards the acceptability of sustainable transportation. This study has potential implications for the government of China, transportation, and urban planning departments in order to take necessary measures to promote sustainable transportation behavior in Chinese citizens.
A Human-Centered Approach to Green Apparel Advertising: Decision Tree Predictive Modeling of Consumer Choice
Authors: Song So Young , Kim Youn-Kyung
Published: October 2018

This study uses a human-centered approach to environmental ethics to examine which perceived factors in advertising predict consumers’ intention to purchase “green”, or sustainably and ethically produced, apparel. We use eight different types of green apparel advertisements to build a decision tree model to determine the most influential factors that lead to future purchases of green apparel. We classify consumers’ perceptions of green advertising as either humanistic, environmental, or product-related responses and propose a conceptual framework to outline the essential elements of an effective green advertising strategy. We use a sample of 829 US consumers from the period January 2015 to December 2017 in our empirical research. Our results show that four factors, namely, perception of the apparel’s quality, its uniqueness, caring, and nature connectedness, predict consumers’ intention to purchase green apparel. Notably, the largest segment of consumers (36%), those who perceive high levels of apparel quality and caring in the advertising, are identified as the high-purchase group. Our findings could improve strategies in green apparel advertising by providing a new analytical approach to model consumers’ behavioral intention to purchase green apparel.
pH Controlled Impedimetric Sensing of Copper(II) Ion Using Oxytocin as Recognition Element
Authors: Tadi Kiran Kumar , Alshanski Israel , Hurevich Mattan , Yitzchaik Shlomo
Published: October 2018

We report the modulation of the specific metal gation properties of a peptide and demonstrate a highly selective sensor for copper(II) ion. The neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is reported for its high affinity towards Zn2+ and Cu2+ at physiological pH. The binding of the metal ions to OT is tuned by altering the pH of the medium. OT was self-assembled on glassy carbon electrode using surface chemistry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to probe the binding of Cu2+. Our results clearly indicate that at pH 10.0, the binding of Cu2+ to OT is increased compared to that at pH 7.0, while the binding to Zn2+ becomes almost negligible. This proves that the selectivity of OT towards each of the ions can be regulated simply by controlling the pH of the medium and hence allows the preparation of a sensing device with selectivity to Cu2+.
Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans Leukotoxin Is Delivered to Host Cells in an LFA-1-Indepdendent Manner When Associated with Outer Membrane Vesicles
Authors: Nice Justin B. , Balashova Nataliya V. , Kachlany Scott C. , Koufos Evan , Krueger Eric , Lally Edward T. , Brown Angela C.
Published: October 2018

The Gram-negative bacterium, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, has been associated with localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP). In particular, highly leukotoxic strains of A. actinomycetemcomitans have been more closely associated with this disease, suggesting that LtxA is a key virulence factor for A. actinomycetemcomitans. LtxA is secreted across both the inner and outer membranes via the Type I secretion system, but has also been found to be enriched within outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), derived from the bacterial outer membrane. We have characterized the association of LtxA with OMVs produced by the highly leukotoxic strain, JP2, and investigated the interaction of these OMVs with host cells to understand how LtxA is delivered to host cells in this OMV-associated form. Our results demonstrated that a significant fraction of the secreted LtxA exists in an OMV-associated form. Furthermore, we have discovered that in this OMV-associated form, the toxin is trafficked to host cells by a cholesterol- and receptor-independent mechanism in contrast to the mechanism by which free LtxA is delivered. Because OMV-associated toxin is trafficked to host cells in an entirely different manner than free toxin, this study highlights the importance of studying both free and OMV-associated forms of LtxA to understand A. actinomycetemcomitans virulence.
Reducing Computational Costs of Automatic Calibration of Rainfall-Runoff Models: Meta-Models or High-Performance Computers?
Authors: Semiromi Majid Taie , Omidvar Sorush , Kamali Bahareh
Published: October 2018

Robust calibration of hydrologic models is critical for simulating water resource components; however, the time-consuming process of calibration sometimes impedes the accurate parameters’ estimation. The present study compares the performance of two approaches applied to overcome the computational costs of automatic calibration of the HEC-HMS (Hydrologic Engineering Center-Hydrologic Modeling System) model constructed for the Tamar basin located in northern Iran. The model is calibrated using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. In the first approach, a machine learning algorithm, i.e., Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was trained to act as a surrogate for the original HMS (ANN-PSO), while in the latter, the computational tasks were distributed among different processors. Due to inefficacy of preliminary ANN-PSO, an efficient adaptive technique was employed to boost training and accelerate the convergence of optimization. We found that both approaches were helpful in improving computational efficiency. For jointly-events calibrations schemes, meta-models outperformed parallelization due to effective exploration of calibration space, where parallel processing was not practical owing to the time required for data sharing and collecting among many clients. Model approximation using meta-models becomes highly complex, particularly in the presence of combining more events, because larger numbers of samples and much longer training times are required.
Global Economic and Food Security Impacts of Demand-Driven Water Scarcity—Alternative Water Management Options for a Thirsty World
Authors: Nechifor Victor , Winning Matthew
Published: October 2018

Global freshwater demand will likely continue its expansion under current expectations of economic and population growth. Withdrawals in regions which are already water-scarce will impose further pressure on the renewable water resource base threatening the long-term availability of freshwater across the many economic activities dependent on this resource for various functions. This paper assesses the economy-wide implications of demand-driven water scarcity under a ‘middle-of-the-road’ socio-economic development pathway by considering the trade-offs between the macroeconomic and food security impacts. The study employs a global CGE model comprising an advanced level of detail regarding water uses across economic activities and which allows for a sector-specific endogenous adaptation to water scarcity. A sustainable withdrawal threshold is imposed in regions with extended river-basin overexploitation (India, South Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Africa) whilst different water management options are considered through four alternative allocation methods across users. The scale of macroeconomic effects is dependent on the relative size of sectors with low-water productivity, the amount of water uses in these sectors, and the flexibility of important water users to substitute away from water inputs in conditions of scarcity. The largest negative GDP deviations are obtained in scenarios with limited mobility to re-allocate water across users. A significant alleviation is obtained when demand patterns are shifted based on differences in water productivity, however, with a significant imposition on food security prospects.
Evaluation of the Structure of Urban Stormwater Pipe Network Using Drainage Density
Authors: Lee Jinwoo , Chung Gunhui , Park Heeseong , Park Innjoon
Published: October 2018

In mega cities such as Seoul in South Korea, it is very important to protect the cities from surface flooding even for a short time period due to the enormous economic damage. That is why stormwater pipe networks are commonly applied to mega cities with large impervious areas to drain runoff from the city. Therefore, the stormwater pipe networks in urban catchments should be carefully designed for quick and efficient runoff removal. In this study, the structures of different stormwater pipe networks were evaluated based on the relationship between peak rainfall and runoff in the urban catchments in South Korea. More than 400 historical rainfall events from five urban catchments were used to develop respective linear regression models for estimating peak runoff for different pipe network structures. The developed regression models exhibited greater than 0.9 in determination coefficients and demonstrated overall the broader ranges in peak runoff with the greater rainfall amount, especially when the pipe networks were branched. This implies that the effect of pipe network structures on runoff is more profound in the branched networks whose runoff water flow is one-directional and thus tends to concentrate to the catchment outlet. In the case of the looped networks in which runoff paths are multiple, rainfall runoff can be routed to several alternative water paths depending on rainfall events resulting in the reduced peak runoff. The structures of pipe networks can be measured in drainage density which is defined as the ratio of total pipe length to catchment area. As a result, the range of the estimated runoff at the 95% confidence level increased as the drainage density increased, which implies increased uncertainty with the looped networks which commonly involve more pipe installation for unit area as compared to the branched. However, the looped networks with multiple water paths can reduce the time to drain rainfall from the catchments and thus the 95% confidence interval becomes narrow, which means greater reliability in peak runoff estimation. It would therefore be favorable to adopt looped stormwater pipe networks within an affordable budget and the complexity of pipe networks needs to be counted to reduce urban flood risk.
The Efficiency and Reliability of Pollutant Removal in a Hybrid Constructed Wetland with Common Reed, Manna Grass, and Virginia Mallow
Authors: Marzec Michał , Jóźwiakowski Krzysztof , Dębska Anna , Gizińska-Górna Magdalena , Pytka-Woszczyło Aneta , Kowalczyk-Juśko Alina , Listosz Agnieszka
Published: October 2018

In this paper, the pollutant removal efficiency and the reliability of a vertical and horizontal flow hybrid constructed wetland (CW) planted with common reed, manna grass, and Virginia mallow were analyzed. The wastewater treatment plant, located in south-eastern Poland, treated domestic sewage at an average flow rate of 2.5 m3/d. The tests were carried out during five years of its operation (2014–2018). The following parameters were measured: biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus. The results showed that more than 95% of BOD5, COD, and total phosphorus was removed in the tested CW system. The average effectiveness of removal of total suspended solids and total nitrogen exceeded 86%. A reliability analysis performed using the Weibull probability model showed that the removal reliability in the tested CW was very high for BOD5, COD, total suspended solids, and total phosphorus (100%). The probability that the total nitrogen concentration in the treated effluents would reach the limit value (30 mg/L) established for effluents discharged from a treatment plant of less than 2000 PE (population equivalent) to standing waters was 94%. The values of all the pollution indicators in wastewater discharged to the receiver were significantly lower than the limit values required in Poland. The investigated hybrid CW system with common reed, manna grass, and Virginia mallow guaranteed stable low values of BOD5, COD, total suspended solids, and total phosphorus in the treated wastewater, which meant it was highly likely to be positively evaluated in case of an inspection.
Arsenic Removal Using Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands: A Sustainable Alternative for Arsenic-Rich Acidic Waters
Authors: Lizama-Allende Katherine , Jaque Ignacio , Ayala José , Montes-Atenas Gonzalo , Leiva Eduardo
Published: October 2018

Constructed wetlands (CW) have been widely used to treat different types of water, including acid mine drainage (AMD). However, little is known about their performance in the removal of As from AMD. In this study, a laboratory-scale horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) CW system was tested to evaluate its capacity to treat highly acidic, As-rich contaminated water resembling AMD. Vegetated and non-vegetated cells, having limestone or zeolite as the main supporting media, were built and operated to evaluate the effect of the media type and the presence of Phragmites australis on the removal of arsenic, iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), and on the neutralization capacity. The four types of cells were highly effective in the removal of As and Pb (removal > 99%), and Fe (removal > 98%), whereas Zn removal rates depended on the cell type. Limestone cells raised the pH from ~1.9 to ~7.5, while zeolite cells raised it to ~4. These results suggest that the media type has a key role in the neutralization capacity, and that the presence of vegetation affected mainly the removal of Zn. Knowledge from this study will contribute to guiding the implementation of HSSF CW for treating As-rich AMD.
Application of Artificial Neural Networks to Rainfall Forecasting in the Geum River Basin, Korea
Authors: Lee Jeongwoo , Kim Chul-Gyum , Lee Jeong Eun , Kim Nam Won , Kim Hyeonjun
Published: October 2018

This study develops a late spring-early summer rainfall forecasting model using an artificial neural network (ANN) for the Geum River Basin in South Korea. After identifying the lagged correlation between climate indices and the rainfall amount in May and June, 11 significant input variables were selected for the preliminary ANN structure. From quantification of the relative importance of the input variables, the lagged climate indices of East Atlantic Pattern (EA), North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), East Pacific/North Pacific Oscillation (EP/NP), and Tropical Northern Atlantic Index (TNA) were identified as significant predictors and were used to construct a much simpler ANN model. The final best ANN model, with five input variables, showed acceptable performance with relative root mean square errors of 25.84%, 32.72%, and 34.75% for training, validation, and testing data sets, respectively. The hit score, which is the number of hit years divided by the total number of years, was more than 60%, which indicates that the ANN model successfully predicts rainfall in the study area. The developed ANN model, incorporated with lagged global climate indices, could allow for more timely and flexible management of water resources and better preparation against potential droughts in the study region.
Silencing the second harmonic generation from plasmonic nanodimers: A comprehensive discussion
Authors: Butet Jérémy , Bernasconi Gabriel D , Martin Olivier J F
Published: October 2018

The silencing of the second harmonic generation process from plasmonic nanostructures corresponds to the limited far-field second harmonic radiation despite the huge fundamental electric field enhancement in the interstice between two plasmonic nanoparticles forming a nanodimer. In this article, we report a comprehensive investigation of this effect using a surface integral equation method. Various geometries are considered, including nanoantennas with cylindrical and rectangular arms as well as nanodimers with surface defects. The existence of the silencing of the second harmonic generation from plasmonic nanogaps is first confirmed, and the problem of the origin of the second harmonic light from these plasmonic nanostructures is addressed in detail. Our results show that the distribution of the second harmonic sources, especially on the arm sides, plays a non-negligible role in the overall second harmonic emission. This contribution is induced by retardation effects at the pump wavelength and results in a dipolar second harmonic emission.
ASSESSING COLLUSION RISKS IN MANAGING CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS USING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK
Authors: Shan Ming , Le Yun , Yiu Kenneth T. W. , Chan Albert P. C. , Hu Yi , Zhou You
Published: October 2018

Being an insidious risk to construction projects, collusion has attracted extensive attention from numerous researchers around the world. However, little effort has ever been made to assess collusion, which is important and necessary for curbing collusion in construction projects. Specific to the context of China, this paper developed an artificial neural network model to assess collusion risk in construction projects. Based on a comprehensive literature review, a total of 22 specific collusive practices were identified first, and then refined by a two-round Delphi interview with 15 experienced experts. Subsequently, using the consolidated framework of collusive practices, a questionnaire was further developed and disseminated, which received 97 valid replies. The questionnaire data were then utilized to develop and validate the collusion risk assessment model with the facilitation of artificial neural network approach. The developed model was finally applied in a real-life metro project in which its reliability and applicability were both verified. Although the model was developed under the context of Chinese construction projects, its developing strategy can be applied in other countries, especially for those emerging economies that have a significant concern of collusion in their construction sectors, and thus contributing to the global body of knowledge of collusion.
FAST SOLVERS OF WEAKLY SINGULAR INTEGRAL EQUATIONS OF THE SECOND KIND
Authors: Rehman Sumaira , Pedas Arvet , Vainikko Gennadi
Published: October 2018

We discuss the bounds of fast solving weakly singular Fredholm integral equations of the second kind with a possible diagonal singularity of the kernel and certain boundary singularities of the derivatives of the free term when the information about the smooth coefficient functions in the kernel and about the free term is restricted to a given number of sample values. In this situation, a fast/quasifast solver is constructed. Thus the complexity of weakly singular integral equations occurs to be close to that of equations with smooth data without singularities. Our construction of fast/quasifast solvers is based on the periodization of the problem.
A NUMERICAL SCHEME FOR SINGULARLY PERTURBED DELAY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS OF CONVECTION-DIFFUSION TYPE ON AN ADAPTIVE GRID
Authors: Podila ramod Chakravarthy , Gupta Trun , Rao Nageshwar
Published: October 2018

In this paper, an adaptive mesh strategy is presented for solving singularly perturbed delay differential equation of convection-diffusion type using second order central finite difference scheme. Layer adaptive meshes are generated via an entropy production operator. The details of the location and width of the layer is not required in the proposed method unlike the popular layer adaptive meshes mainly by Bakhvalov and Shishkin. An extensive amount of computational work has been carried out to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method.
Constraining Stellar-mass Black Hole Mergers in AGN Disks Detectable with LIGO
Authors: McKernan Barry , Saavik Ford K. E. , Bellovary J. , Leigh N. W. C. , Haiman Z. , Kocsis B. , Lyra W. , Mac Low M.-M. , Metzger B. , O’Dowd M. , Endlich S. , Rosen D. J.
Published: October 2018

Black hole (BH) mergers detectable with the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) can occur in active galactic nucleus (AGN) disks. Here we parameterize the merger rates, the mass spectrum, and the spin spectrum of BHs in AGN disks. The predicted merger rate spans ∼10−3–104 Gpc−1 yr−1, so upper limits from LIGO (<212 Gpc−1 yr−1) already constrain it. The predicted mass spectrum has the form of a broken power law, consisting of a pre-existing BH power-law mass spectrum and a harder power-law mass spectrum resulting from mergers. The predicted spin spectrum is multipeaked with the evolution of retrograde spin BHs in the gas disk playing a key role. We outline the large uncertainties in each of these LIGO observables for this channel and we discuss ways in which they can be constrained in the future.
Theoretical Model of Hydrogen Line Emission from Accreting Gas Giants
Authors: Aoyama Yuhiko , Ikoma Masahiro , Tanigawa Takayuki
Published: October 2018

Progress in understanding of giant planet formation has been hampered by a lack of observational constraints to growing protoplanets. Recently, detection of an Hα-emission excess via direct imaging was reported for the protoplanet LkCa15b orbiting the pre-main-sequence star LkCa15. However, the physical mechanism for the Hα emission is poorly understood. According to recent high-resolution three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of the flow accreting onto protoplanets, the disk gas flows down almost vertically onto and collides with the surface of a circumplanetary disk at a supersonic velocity and thus passes through a strong shockwave. The shock-heated gas is hot enough to generate Hα emission. Here we develop a one-dimensional radiative hydrodynamic model of the flow after the shock by detailed calculations of chemical reactions and electron transitions in hydrogen atoms, and quantify the hydrogen line emission in the Lyman-, Balmer-, and Paschen-series from the accreting gas giant system. We then demonstrate that the Hα intensity is strong enough to be detected with current observational techniques. Comparing our theoretical Hα intensity with the observed one from LkCa15b, we constrain the protoplanet mass and the disk gas density. Observation of hydrogen line emission from protoplanets is highly encouraged to obtain direct constraints of accreting gas giants, which will be key in understanding the formation of gas giants.
Independent Estimation of Black Hole Mass for the γ-ray-detected Archetypal Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxy 1H 0323+342 from X-Ray Variability
Authors: Pan Hai-Wu , Yuan Weimin , Yao Su , Komossa S. , Jin Chichuan
Published: October 2018

γ-ray-detected narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) are a newly discovered class of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs) that launch powerful jets that are generally found only in blazars and radio galaxies. However, their black hole (BH) masses as estimated from their broad emission lines are an order of magnitude or more lower than those in blazars. This poses new challenges in explaining the triggering of radio loudness in AGNs. It is still under debate whether their BH masses are underestimated by the commonly used virial method. Here we present an estimate of the BH mass for the γ-ray-detected NLS1 1H 0323+342, an archetype of this class, from its X-ray variability, which is independent of inclination. Our results independently confirm that this NLS1 harbors a

BH similar to those in normal NLS1s rather than those in blazars.
Stellar and AGN Feedback in Isolated Early-type Galaxies: The Role in Regulating Star Formation and ISM Properties
Authors: Li Ya-Ping , Yuan Feng , Mo Houjun , Yoon Doosoo , Gan Zhaoming , Ho Luis C. , Wang Bo , Ostriker Jeremiah P. , Ciotti Luca
Published: October 2018

How galaxies maintain the inefficiency of star formation with physically self-consistent models is a central problem in understanding galaxy evolution. Although numerous theoretical models have been proposed in recent decades, the debate continues. By means of high-resolution two-dimensional hydrodynamical simulations, we study the three feedback effects (the stellar wind heating, supernova (SN) feedback, and active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback) in suppressing star formation activities on the evolution of early-type galaxies with different stellar masses. The AGN feedback models are updated from work by Yuan et al. The gas sources arise exclusively from the mass losses of dying low-mass stars for most of our models. We find that SN feedback can keep star formation at a significantly low level for low-mass elliptical galaxies for a cosmological evolution time. For high-mass galaxies, AGN feedback can efficiently offset radiative cooling and thus regulate star formation activity. Such a suppression of star formation is extremely efficient in the inner regions of galaxies. Asymptotic giant branch heating cannot account for this suppression for low- or high-mass galaxies. The X-ray temperature T
X and luminosity L
X of hot plasma can be in agreement with the observed data with the inclusion of effective feedback processes. These results thus suggest that we can use T
X and L
X to probe the role of different feedback processes. The inclusion of additional gas sources can cause the mass scale between SN and AGN feedback to dominate in suppressing star formation decrease to an observationally inferred value of a few 1010 M
⊙.
Widespread Shocks in the Nucleus of NGC 404 Revealed by Near-infrared Integral Field Spectroscopy
Authors: Boehle A. , Larkin J. E. , Armus L. , Wright S. A.
Published: October 2018

We present high spatial resolution, integral field spectrograph (IFS) observations of the nearby low-ionization nuclear emission-line region (LINER) galaxy NGC 404 at 1.25 μm (J band) and 2.2 μm (K band) near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths. Although NGC 404 is thought to host an intermediate-mass black hole (BH) at its center, it has been unclear whether accretion onto the BH or another mechanism such as shock excitation drives its LINER emission at optical/NIR wavelengths. We use the OSIRIS IFS at Keck Observatory behind laser guide star adaptive optics to map the strength and kinematics of [Fe ii], H2, and hydrogen recombination lines at spatial resolutions of 1 pc across the central 30 pc of the galaxy. The H2 gas is in a central rotating disk, and ratios of multiple H2 lines indicate that the molecular gas is thermally excited, with some contribution from UV fluorescence. The [Fe ii] emission is more extended and diffuse than the molecular gas and has a different kinematic structure that reaches higher velocities/dispersions. We also map the strength of the CO stellar absorption feature and constrain the dominant age of the nuclear stellar population to ∼1 Gyr. Finally, we find regions across the nucleus of NGC 404 with [Fe ii]/Paβ line ratios up to 6.5, ∼2.5 times higher than the ratio measured from spatially integrated spectra. From these high line ratios, we conclude that shocks are the dominant physical mechanism exciting NGC 404's LINER emission and argue that a possible source of this shock excitation is a supernova remnant.
YZiCS: Preprocessing of Dark Halos in the Hydrodynamic Zoom-in Simulation of Clusters
Authors: Han San , Smith Rory , Choi Hoseung , Cortese Luca , Catinella Barbara , Contini Emanuele , Yi Sukyoung K.
Published: October 2018

To understand the galaxy population in clusters today, we should also consider the impact of previous environments prior to cluster infall, namely preprocessing. We use the Yonsei Zoom-in Cluster Simulation, a hydrodynamic high-resolution zoom-in simulation of 15 clusters, and focus on the tidal stripping suffered by the dark matter halos of cluster members due to preprocessing. We find that ∼48% of today’s cluster members were once satellites of other hosts. This is slightly higher than previous estimates, in part because we consider not just group-mass hosts but hosts of all masses. Thus, we find that the preprocessed fraction is poorly correlated with cluster mass and is instead related to each cluster’s recent mass growth rate. Hosts less massive than groups are significant contributors, providing more than one-third of the total preprocessed fraction. We find that halo mass loss is a clear function of the time spent in hosts. However, two factors can increase the mass-loss rate considerably: the mass ratio of a satellite to its host and the cosmological epoch when the satellite was hosted. The latter means we may have previously underestimated the role of high-redshift groups. From a sample of heavily tidally stripped members in clusters today, nearly three-quarters were previously in a host. Thus, visibly disturbed cluster members are more likely to have experienced preprocessing. Being hosted before cluster infall enables cluster members to experience tidal stripping for extended durations compared to direct cluster infall and at earlier epochs when hosts were more destructive.
Evolution of Quasar Stochastic Variability along Its Main Sequence
Authors: Sun Mouyuan , Xue Yongquan , Wang Junxian , Cai Zhenyi , Guo Hengxiao
Published: October 2018

We explore the evolution of the time variability (in the optical g-band and on timescales of weeks to years) of Sloan Digital Sky Survey Stripe 82 quasars along the quasar main sequence. A parent sample of 1004 quasars within 0.5 ≤ z ≤ 0.89 was used for our statistical studies; we then made subsamples from our parent sample: a subsample of 246 quasars with similar luminosities, and a subsample of 399 quasars with similar

(i.e., the ratio of the equivalent width of Fe ii within 4435–4685 Å to that of Hβ). We find the variability amplitude decreases with luminosity (L
bol). The anticorrelation between the variability amplitude and

is weak but statistically significant. The characteristic timescale, τ, correlates mostly with quasar luminosity; its dependence on

is statistically insignificant. After controlling luminosity and

, the high- and low-FWHM samples have similar structure functions. These results support the framework that

is governed by Eddington ratio and the FWHM of Hβ is mostly determined by orientation. We then provide new empirical relations between variability parameters and quasar properties (i.e., luminosity and

). Our new relations are consistent with the scenario that quasar variability is driven by thermal fluctuations in the accretion disk; τ seems to correspond to the thermal timescale. From our new relations, we find that the short-term variability is mostly sensitive to L
bol. Based on this we propose that quasar short-term (a few months) variability might be a new type of “Standard Candle” and can be adopted to probe cosmology.
Detectability of Double White Dwarfs in the Local Group with LISA
Authors: Korol Valeria , Koop Orlin , Rossi Elena M.
Published: October 2018

Detached double white dwarf (DWD) binaries are one of the main science cases for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). As the most numerous LISA sources, they will provide important contributions toward understanding binary evolution, supernovae Type Ia (SNIa) formation channels, and the structure of the Milky Way. So far only detection prospects for the Milky Way have been predicted. In this Letter we show that LISA has the potential to detect DWDs in neighboring galaxies up to the border of the Local Group. In particular, we compute quantitative estimates for the number of detections in M31. We expect between a dozen to several tens of DWDs above the nominal detection threshold, for a mission duration between 4 and 10 years. We show that detectable extra-galactic DWDs include those with the shortest orbital periods (P < 10 minutes) and with the highest chirp masses (

). This subgroup represents candidates for SNIa progenitors. These binaries are virtually undetectable at those distances in optical, implying that LISA could be the best instrument able to provide SNIa merger rates across the Local Group.
Simultaneous VLBI Astrometry of H2O and SiO Masers toward the Semiregular Variable R Crateris
Authors: Kim Dong-Jin , Cho Se-Hyung , Yun Youngjoo , Kyung Choi Yoon , Yoon Dong-Hwan , Kim Jaeheon , Dodson Richard , Rioja María J. , Yang Haneul , Yoon Suk-Jin
Published: October 2018

We obtained, for the first time, astrometrically registered maps of the 22.2 GHz H2O and 42.8, 43.1, and 86.2 GHz SiO maser emission toward the semiregular b-type variable (SRb) R Crateris, at three epochs (2015 May 21, and 2016 January 7 and 26) using the Korean Very-long-baseline Interferometry Network. The SiO masers show a ring-like spatial structure, while the H2O maser shows a very asymmetric one-side outflow structure, which is located at the southern part of the ring-like SiO maser feature. We also found that the 86.2 GHz SiO maser spots are distributed in an inner region, compared to those of the 43.1 GHz SiO maser, which is different from all previously known distributions of the 86.2 GHz SiO masers in variable stars. The different distribution of the 86.2 GHz SiO maser seems to be related to the complex dynamics caused by the overtone pulsation mode of the SRb R Crateris. Furthermore, we estimated the position of the central star based on the ring fitting of the SiO masers, which is essential for interpreting the morphology and kinematics of a circumstellar envelope. The estimated stellar coordinate corresponds well to the position measured by Gaia.
The complete mitochondrial genome of Orancistrocerus aterrimus aterrimus and comparative analysis in the family Vespidae (Hymenoptera, Vespidae, Eumeninae)
Authors: Zhang Qiao-Hua , Huang Pan , Chen Bin , Li Ting-Jing
Published: October 2018

To date, only one mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) in the Eumeninae has been reported in the world and this is the first report in China. The mitogenome ofO.a.aterrimusis 17 972 bp long, and contains 38 genes, including 13 protein coding genes (PCGs), 23 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, a long non-coding region (NCR), and a control region (CR). The mitogenome has 79.43% A + T content, its 13 PCGs use ATN as the initiation codon except forcox1using TTG, and nine genes used complete translation termination TAA and four genes have incomplete stop codon T (cox2,cox3,nad4, andcytb). Twenty-two of 23 tRNAs can form the typical cloverleaf secondary structure except fortrnS1. The CR is 1 078 bp long with 84.69% A+T content, comprising 28 bp tandem repeat sequences and 13 bp T-strech. There are two gene rearrangements which are an extratrnM2located betweentrnQandnad2and thetrnL2in the upstream ofnad1. Within all rearrangements of these mitogenomes reported in the family Vespidae, the translocation betweentrnS1andtrnEgenes only appears in Vespinae, and the translocation oftrnYin Polistinae and Vespinae. The absent codons of 13 PCGs in Polistinae are more than those both in Vespinae and Eumeninae in the family Vespidae. The study reports the complete mitogenome ofO.a.aterrimus, compares the characteristics and construct phylogenetic relationships of the mitogenomes in the family Vespidae.
Description of a second South American species in the Malagasy earwig genus Mesodiplatys from a cave habitat, with notes on the definition of Haplodiplatyidae (Insecta, Dermaptera)
Authors: Kamimura Yoshitaka , Ferreira Rodrigo L.
Published: October 2018

The genusMesodiplatys(Dermaptera: Diplatyidae) comprises eight species from Madagascar and one species from Peru. Based on a sample collected from a cave in Brazil, a new species of this genus,MesodiplatysfalciferKamimura,sp. n., is described as the second species from South America. Based on a reexamination of the holotype ofMesodiplatysinsularis, a revised key toMesodiplatysspecies is provided. The definitions of the generaMesodiplatysandHaplodiplatysand the family Haplodiplatyidae are also reconsidered.
New records of Tylokepon with the description of a new species (Epicaridea, Bopyridae, Keponinae)
Authors: An Jianmei , Zhang Miao , Paulay Gustav
Published: October 2018

The parasitic isopod genus Tylokepon is recorded for the first time from the Mariana Islands and Australia. Tylokeponmarianensissp. n. is described from the Mariana Islands, infesting Thusaenysirami (Laurie, 1906). The holotype female differs from other known Tylokepon females by the tri-lobed projection on pereomere 6, almost smooth lateral plates and pleopods, shape of oostegite 1, and widely opened brood pouch. The host is first recorded for bearing bopyrids. The new record of T.bonnieri Stebbing, 1904 from Australia on the type host extends the range of this species from China and India. A table of localities and hosts and a key to all species of Tylokepon are provided.
Functional and T Cell Receptor Repertoire Analyses of Peripheral Blood and Infrapatellar Fat Pad T Cells in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Sae-jung Thitiya , Sengprasert Panjana , Apinun Jirun , Ngarmukos Srihatach , Yuktanandana Pongsak , Tanavalee Aree , Reantragoon Rangsima
Published: October 2018

Objective.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that features inflammation and immune responses of innate and adaptive immunity. The role of T cells in knee OA pathogenesis is still unclear. Our aim was to characterize T cell functions and their clonality in patients with knee OA in peripheral blood (PB) and infrapatellar fat pads (IPFP).

Methods.

We isolated T cells from PB and IPFP of patients with knee OA and PB of healthy individuals and determined soluble mediators produced from these cells. In addition, we performed a clonal analysis of activated CD8+ T cells and compared the T cell receptor β-variable gene chain (TRBV) usages between T cells in PB and IPFP of patients with knee OA.

Results.

Our results suggest that in patients with knee OA, circulating T cells possess a more “cytotoxic” profile or rather impaired cytokine production, but the knee microenvironment allows for these T cells to produce proinflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor], IL-17, and interferon-γ within IPFP. Activated CD8+ IPFP T cells carry different repertoire distribution from those present in PB of patients with knee OA. Shared TRBV usage of activated CD8+ IPFP T cells among the 3 patients with knee OA was also observed.

Conclusion.

Our study describes the nature of T cells in knee OA that may be due to “unhealthy” aging or other factors that drive healthy aging T cells into a state of imbalance, thus contributing to the pathogenesis of knee OA.
Development of a Preliminary Ultrasonographic Enthesitis Score in Psoriatic Arthritis — GRAPPA Ultrasound Working Group
Authors: Tom Stephanie , Zhong Yujie , Cook Richard , Aydin Sibel Zehra , Kaeley Gurjit , Eder Lihi
Published: October 2018

Objective.

To assess the performance of various sonographic elemental entheseal lesions in distinguishing between psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and controls to inform the development of a novel sonographic enthesitis score for PsA.

Methods.

A total of 100 age- and sex-matched individuals (50 PsA and 50 controls) were evaluated. Eleven entheseal sites were scanned bilaterally according to a standardized protocol by 2 sonographers. Based on the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) definition of sonographic enthesitis, the following lesions were assessed: structural entheseal changes (hypoechogenicity), thickening, bone erosion, enthesophytes, calcification, and Doppler signal, in addition to bursitis and bone irregularities. The images were read by 2 readers blinded to the clinical information. A series of logistic regression models were used to find the optimal combination of entheseal sites and elementary lesions that distinguished PsA from controls.

Results.

Mean age was 55 ± 10 years (59% males). The optimal model that distinguished PsA from controls included 5 elementary lesions (enthesophytes, Doppler signal, erosions, thickening, and hypoechogenicity) and 6 entheseal sites (patellar ligament insertions into the distal patella and tibial tuberosity, Achilles tendon and plantar fascia insertions into the calcaneus, common extensor tendon insertion into lateral epicondyle, and supraspinatus insertion into the superior facet of the humerus). The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for this model was 0.93 (95% CI 0.88–0.98).

Conclusion.

We identified potential elemental ultrasonographic abnormalities and entheseal sites that could distinguish PsA and controls. This information will contribute to the development of a new sonographic score for assessment of enthesitis in patients with PsA.