bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An experimental and theoretical investigation into the electronically excited states of para-benzoquinone
Authors: Jones D. B. , Limão-Vieira P. , Mendes M. , Jones N. C. , Hoffmann S. V. , da Costa R. F. , Varella M. T. do N. , Bettega M. H. F. , Blanco F. , García G. , Ingólfsson O. , Lima M. A. P. , Brunger M. J.
Published: May 2017

We report on a combination of experimental and theoretical investigations into the structure of electronically excited para-benzoquinone (pBQ). Here synchrotron photoabsorption measurements are reported over the 4.0–10.8 eV range. The higher resolution obtained reveals previously unresolved pBQ spectral features. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations are used to interpret the spectrum and resolve discrepancies relating to the interpretation of the Rydberg progressions. Electron-impact energy loss experiments are also reported. These are combined with elastic electron scattering cross section calculations performed within the framework of the independent atom model–screening corrected additivity rule plus interference (IAM-SCAR + I) method to derive differential cross sections for electronic excitation of key spectral bands. A generalized oscillator strength analysis is also performed, with the obtained results demonstrating that a cohesive and reliable quantum chemical structure and cross section framework has been established. Within this context, we also discuss some issues associated with the development of a minimal orbital basis for the single configuration interaction strategy to be used for our high-level low-energy electron scattering calculations that will be carried out as a subsequent step in this joint experimental and theoretical investigation.
Communication: Inflection in the pressure dependent conductivity of the protic ionic liquid C8HIM NTf2
Authors: Thoms Erik , Wojnarowska Zaneta , Goodrich Peter , Jacquemin Johan , Paluch Marian
Published: May 2017

Temperature and pressure dependent broadband dielectric measurements were performed on the protic ionic liquid C8HIM NTf2 over a frequency range from 0.1 Hz to 1 MHz. The temperature dependence of the inverse dc-conductivity exhibits the super-Arrhenius like behavior typical for glass forming materials. However, in the pressure dependence both slower and faster than exponential developments occur, resulting in an inflection in the corresponding curves. The experimental data was successfully fitted with a model incorporating both features. While similar transitions have been observed in the pressure dependent viscosity or structural relaxation times, this is the first time such a behavior is reported in the conductivity.
Magnetic and nonmagnetic contributions to the heat capacity of metamagnetic shape memory alloy
Authors: Kosogor Anna , Barandiaran Jose M. , L'vov Victor A. , Fernandez Jesus Rodriguez , Chernenko Volodymyr A.
Published: May 2017

A quantitative theoretical analysis of the heat capacity of metamagnetic shape memory alloy (MMSMA) is reported. It describes the peculiarities of the heat capacity of Ni-Mn-Sn alloy, which undergo a paramagnetic-ferromagnetic phase transition and a magnetostructural phase transformation (MPT) from ferromagnetic austenite to a weakly magnetic martensite. Good agreement between the experimental and theoretical temperature dependences of the heat capacity is observed. It is shown that the heat capacity of MMSMA can be presented as the sum of three terms: (i) a nonmagnetic term describing the heat capacity of crystal lattice, when the alloy temperature is well below the MPT temperature or above Curie temperature; (ii) a nonmagnetic term caused by the martensitic lattice distortion, which arises in the course of magnetostructural transformation; and (iii) a magnetic term related to the magnetic ordering of austenite and martensite. For Ni-Mn-Sn alloy, all terms appeared to be comparable in magnitude and, therefore, none of them can be ignored a priori. A similar behavior is expected for other MMSMAs.
Collisional effects, ion-acoustic waves, and neutrino oscillations
Authors: Haas Fernando , Pascoal Kellen Alves , Mendonça José Tito
Published: May 2017

We analyze the role of collisional effects on the coupling between ion-acoustic waves and neutrino flavor oscillations, discussing its relevance for plasma instabilities in extreme plasma environments like in type II supernovae, where intense neutrino bursts exist. Electrons (leptons) are coupled to the electron-neutrino fluid through the weak Fermi force, but the electron-neutrinos are allowed to convert to other neutrino flavors and vice versa. Due to the typically slow frequency of neutrino flavor oscillations, many orders smaller than, e.g., the plasma frequency, an effective energy transfer between plasma waves and neutrino flavor oscillations takes place at the low-frequency electrostatic branch, viz., the ion-acoustic mode. We show the destabilization of ion-acoustic waves in dense astrophysical scenarios, with a focus on the collisional effects mediated by electron-ion scattering. The maximal instability growth-rate is evaluated and compared to the characteristic inverse times of type II supernova explosions. The results can be used for independent experimental verification of the non-zero neutrino mass, in a plasma physics context.
The investigation of self-heating effect on Si1-xGex FinFETs with different device structures, Ge concentration, and operated voltages
Authors: Liao M.-H. , Hsieh C.-P. , Lee C.-C.
Published: May 2017

The self-heating effect on Si1-xGex based FinFETs is analyzed and investigated with different device structures/dimensions, Ge concentration, and operated voltages. The module-level material properties of the thermal conductivities (k) in Si and Ge with different operated temperature (T), material thickness (t), and impurity concentration (N) are calibrated by the experimental thermo-electric measurement firstly in our simulation model. The maximum chip temperature in the Ge FinFETs is found to be ∼50 °C higher than in the Si FinFETs due to the poor intrinsic material property of k in Ge material. This seriously limits the development of the Ge FinFETs in the future scaled logic devices even Si1-xGex material (x>0.8) has the higher intrinsic carrier mobility than pure Si. One of the possible solutions to avoid this self-heating effect in Si1-xGex based FinFETs is to reduce the operated voltage (<0.8V) to get the optimal device operated window among different boundary conditions including the acceptable chip temperature and the higher carrier mobility in the device.
Management of patients brought in by ambulance to the emergency department: role of the Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Authors: Kinsella Rita , Collins Tom , Shaw Bridget , Sayer James , Cary Belinda , Walby Andrew , Cowan Sallie
Published: May 2017

Objective
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of the Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist (AMP) in managing patients brought in by ambulance to the emergency department (ED).

Methods
This study was a dual-centre observational study. Patients brought in by ambulance to two Melbourne hospitals over a 12-month period and seen by an AMP were compared with a matched group seen by other ED staff. Primary outcome measures were wait time and length of stay (LOS) in the ED.

Results
Data from 1441 patients within the Australasian Triage Scale (ATS) Categories 3–5 with musculoskeletal complaints were included in the analysis. Subgroup analysis of 825 patients aged ≤65 years demonstrated that for Category 4 (semi-urgent) patients, the median wait time to see the AMP was 9.5 min (interquartile range (IQR) 3.25–18.00 min) compared with 25 min (IQR 10.00–56.00 min) to see other ED staff (P ≤ 0.05). LOS analysis was undertaken on patients discharged home and demonstrated that there was a 1.20 greater probability (95% confidence interval 1.07–1.35) that ATS Category 4 patients managed by the AMP were discharged within the 4-hour public hospital target compared with patients managed by other ED staff: 87.04% (94/108) of patients managed by the AMPs met this standard compared with 72.35% (123/170) of patients managed by other ED staff (P = 0.002).

Conclusions
Patients aged ≤65 years with musculoskeletal complaints brought in by ambulance to the ED and triaged to ATS Category 4 are likely to wait less time to be seen and are discharged home more quickly when managed by an AMP. This study has added to the evidence that AMPs improve patient flow in the ED, freeing up time for other ED staff to see higher-acuity, more complex patients.

What is known about the topic?
There is a growing body of evidence establishing that AMPs improve the flow of patients presenting with musculoskeletal conditions to the ED through reduced wait times and LOS and, at the same time, providing good-quality care and enhanced patient satisfaction.

What does this paper add?
Within their primary contact capacity, AMPs also manage patients who are brought in by ambulance presenting with musculoskeletal conditions. To the authors’ knowledge, there is currently no available literature documenting the performance of AMPs in the management of this cohort of patients.

What are the implications for practitioners?
This study has added to the body of evidence that AMPs improve patient flow in the ED and illustrates that AMPs, by seeing patients brought in by ambulance, are able to have a positive impact on the pressures increasingly facing the Victorian Ambulance Service and emergency hospital care.
Bam-dependent deubiquitinase complex can disrupt germ-line stem cell maintenance by targeting cyclin A
Authors: Ji Shanming , Li Chaoyi , Hu Lin , Liu Kehui , Mei Jie , Luo Yuewan , Tao Yi , Xia Zongping , Sun Qinmiao , Chen Dahua
Published: May 2017

Significance

Previous studies have demonstrated that Bam protein plays a critical role promoting early germ-line cell differentiation in the
Drosophila
ovary. Although its regulation and genetic functions have been extensively investigated over the last 20 years, the biochemical nature of Bam has still remained elusive. Here, we show that Bam functions as an ubiquitin-associated protein and regulates the stability of CycA. Our study uncovers a mechanism by which Bam functions as an ubiquitin-associated protein, and cooperates with Otu to deubiquitinate and stabilize CycA, thereby balancing GSC self-renewal and differentiation.
Uric acid priming in human monocytes is driven by the AKT–PRAS40 autophagy pathway
Authors: Crişan Tania O. , Cleophas Maartje C. P. , Novakovic Boris , Erler Kathrin , van de Veerdonk Frank L. , Stunnenberg Hendrik G. , Netea Mihai G. , Dinarello Charles A. , Joosten Leo A. B.
Published: May 2017

Significance

Hyperuricemia is a metabolic condition intrinsic to gout pathogenesis but also associated with other common metabolic inflammatory diseases. The soluble uric acid-induced priming of monocytes determines a unique shift in cytokine production consisting of high interleukin (IL)-1β but low IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra). We investigated metabolic sensors and scanned for transcriptomic pathways and kinase activation to provide mechanistic leads for this process. We describe that uric acid suppresses autophagy and diminishes the antiinflammatory capacity of the cell. The consequences of uric acid exposure are broad and can impact a larger spectrum of inflammatory diseases from gout to metabolic, renal, or cardiovascular diseases or cancer.
Intersectin 1 is a component of the Reelin pathway to regulate neuronal migration and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus
Authors: Jakob Burkhard , Kochlamazashvili Gaga , Jäpel Maria , Gauhar Aziz , Bock Hans H. , Maritzen Tanja , Haucke Volker
Published: May 2017

Significance

The development and function of the brain depend on the migration of neurons from the proliferative zone in which they are born to their final position. Reelin, a signaling molecule implicated in the developmental disorder lissencephaly and associated with neurologic diseases in humans, plays an important role in directing neuronal migration and brain development. Here, we identify intersectin 1, a large scaffold protein genetically linked to Down syndrome, as a component of the Reelin signaling pathway that is important for brain development and Reelin-mediated augmentation of synaptic plasticity, a cellular model for learning and memory.
Parallel Voice Onset Time shift in Chinese Korean
Authors: Jin Wenhua , Silva David J.
Published: May 2017

This study reveals the existence of a Voice Onset Time shift in the Korean spoken by native speakers residing in northeast China, a shift parallel to those reported in other Korean varieties in Korea, the USA, and Canada. The VOT pattern observed in the Chinese Korean community is argued to represent a change that cannot be simply explained in terms of diffusion via recent dialect contact, or as a feature directly inherited from the source language when it was transplanted into China over a century ago. We suggest that behind the parallel VOT shifts is the power of “drift” that drives the different Korean varieties along similar journeys of language evolution. This study presents an intriguing case where internal changes driven by “drift” may actually be initiated and further supported by language/dialect contact.
Relative frequency and the holistic processing of morphology
Authors: Heffernan Kevin , Sato Yo
Published: May 2017

This study presents apparent-time changes in the morphology of the expression mitai-na ‘similar to’. Based on apparent-time data, we argue that the morphological boundary between mitai and the attributive morpheme -na in the phrase mitai-na has disappeared, and that this complex phrase is now processed as a monomorphemic form. We suggest that relative frequency is the key to understanding the results.

We further supplement our argument with data on the standardization of the adverbial adjective form in the Kansai dialect. Young speakers overwhelmingly use the standard form of adverbials for all adjectives except two: yō ‘a lot, well’ and hayō ‘quickly, early’ (instead of Standard Japanese yoku and hayaku). The three linguistic forms that display unusual behavior (mitai-na and the adverbial forms of yō and hayō) all have a high relative frequency. We conclude that when a complex form occurs more frequently than its components (high relative frequency), then it behaves as a monomorphemic unit. The irregular adverbial forms are leftover from an obsolete system, in the same way that many English irregular past forms are leftover from the Germanic strong verb system. In contrast, the irregular form mitai-na emerged from and competes with the regular inflection paradigm for mitai, illustrating a previously undocumented path for the diachronic emergence of irregular morphology.
A corpus-based analysis of word order variation in Yami relative clause construction
Authors: Chang Hui-Huan , Rau D. Victoria
Published: May 2017

Yami relative clauses (RCs) can either precede the head noun, for example,kanakan‘child,’ as inko ni-ma-cita o [ji yákneng] a kanakan‘I saw the child who cannot hold still’, functioning as restrictive RCs ([RC] + a + Head NP), or follow it as inko ni-ma-cita o kanakan a [ji yákneng]‘I saw that child, who cannot hold still’, functioning as nonrestrictive RCs for complementation strategy (Head NP + a + [RC]). The VARBRUL results demonstrate that head final RCs are predominant in Yami, and Yami speakers use them to connect the given referent with the previous discourse to convey given information. The study found that Subject head nouns outnumber other grammatical roles of head NPs, and that Subject head noun with Subject RC construction is produced more than any other RC constructions, which indicates that Yami RCs are used to modify the Subject for topic continuity.
Strategic maneuvering with presentational choices in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reports
Authors: Gâţă Anca
Published: May 2017

In the framework of the extended pragma-dialectical theory of argumentation, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting is approached in this study as a particular communicative activity type, which can be reconstructed as part of a critical discussion. CSR reports excerpts are viewed in the analysis as parts of a virtual critical discussion in which a company acts as a protagonist maneuvering strategically to defend the standpoint according to which the business is operated ethically, and to convince the audience about what is mentioned in the standpoint. The reconstructed standpoint of a CSR report, We are doing business responsibly, may be regarded as stereotypical, since it corresponds to the institutional point of this regulated type of communicative activity. In the first part of the study, a brief overview is given of the CSR reporting activity, then the concept of strategic maneuvering is presented, under its three aspects (topical potential, audience demand, and presentational techniques), as well as the notion of communicative activity type, with a highlight on the role of the (macro-)context and of institutional preconditions in analytical studies on argumentation. The analysis in the latter part of the study concerns presentational techniques used by the protagonist in the confrontation and in the argumentation stages in CSR reporting, in order to reconcile rhetorical and dialectical aims by maneuvering strategically. The coordinatively and the subordinatively compound structure of argumentation, the symptomatic argument scheme, as well as reformulations of the standpoint, use of emotionally endowed words, concentration of the arguments in the form of nominal sentences acting as headings are among the most important presentational devices constitutive of argumentative moves aimed at convincing the audience that the company acts ethically, but also at promoting a positive image of its business responsibility, which appears to be the ground for winning the discussion.
Practical reasoning in corporate communication with multiple audiences
Authors: Palmieri Rudi , Mazzali-Lurati Sabrina
Published: May 2017

Corporate strategic communication has to be designed by considering multiple audiences of stakeholders. In this paper, we study the connection between the audience structure of corporate messages and the structure of the practical argumentation advanced to persuasively justify a business proposal. To this purpose, we combine a conceptual and analytical framework for the reconstruction of multiple audiences – theText Stakeholdersmodel (Palmieri & Mazzali 2016), with a conceptual and analytical framework for the reconstruction of argument schemes – theArgumentum Model of Topics(Rigotti & Greco Morasso 2010). A takeover proposal made by Ryanair for Aer Lingus is examined as an illustrative case in which this integrated framework is applied. We focus our analysis on Ryanair’s offer document to show how the particular structure of the audience is reflected in the selection of specific value and goal premises (endoxa) and in the activation of specific inferential relations (maxims) of practical reasoning.
A Silent Conversation with Literary History: Re-theorizing Modernism in the Poetry of Bizhan Jalāli
Authors: Fani Aria
Published: May 2017

Episodic approaches may point in the direction of general trends by examining the ideological presuppositions of dominant literary discourses. However, they necessarily reduce the aesthetic complexity of literary movements and fail to critically consider poets whose vision may not directly speak to common literary trends. Poets such as Bizhan Jalāli (d. 1999) have been rendered standalone figures whose visions of poetic modernism are understood only in the context of their “non-adherence” to the dominant literary discourse of their time or are overlooked altogether. This essay examines how the literary life and reception of Bizhan Jalāli intersect with the intellectual and aesthetic underpinnings of committed circles in the 1960s and 1970s. The twists and turns of Jalāli’s poetics do not speak directly but rather laterally to committed articulations of modernism. The article returns Jalāli to his literary milieu by analyzing the way his work has been received by poets, anthologists and critics. As the contours of literary commitment drastically change in the 1980s and 1990s, another image of Jalāli emerges: once marginalized for his “non-commitment,” he is championed as an “apolitical” poet.
Pioneering Iranian Studies in Meiji Japan: Between Modern Academia and International Strategy
Authors: Kuroda Kenji
Published: May 2017

This article explores the relationship between academic studies concerning Iran in Meiji Japan (1868‒1912) and Orientalism in Western scholarship. Many researchers who have limited their definition of Iranian studies to the professional works published since the 1930s have concluded that there is an indirect relation between Iranian studies in Japan and Orientalism. In contrast, this paper takes it in a wider sense to mean all academic studies regarding Iran. The paper focuses on two such important proto-academic fields regarding foreign countries in Meiji Japan: geography and international politics. It concludes that the pioneering Iranian studies scholars in the Meiji period were not totally immune to Orientalism on the one hand but, on the other, that their research on Iran was less closely connected to imperialism than the Western scholarship that Edward Said famously critiqued.
A comparative study of characterisation of plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings on carbon steel prepared from aluminate and silicate electrolytes
Authors: Yang Wenbin , Li Qingbiao , Liu Cancan , Liang Jun , Peng Zhenjun , Liu Baixing
Published: May 2017

Two kinds of PEO coatings were prepared on low carbon steel from aluminate electrolyte and silicate electrolyte, respectively. The coating surface and cross-section morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscope. The elemental and phase compositions were investigated by energy-dispersive spectrometer and X-ray diffraction, correspondingly. The scratch test was employed to examine the adhesion of the PEO coating. The electrochemical tests were used to evaluate the anti-corrosion property of PEO coatings. It was found that more substrate was oxidised during PEO process under the same constant voltage for the same length of time in silicate electrolyte than that in aluminate electrolyte. Besides, the silicate PEO coating grew faster than aluminate PEO coating. Compared with the uniform distribution of elements in aluminate PEO coating, silicate PEO coating exhibited a two-layered structure. The two-layered structure of the silicate PEO coating led to a negative effect on the adhesion. The aluminate PEO coating showed a better anti-corrosion property because of its denser structure.
Medical Providers’ Knowledge and Concerns about Opioid Overdose Education and Take-Home Naloxone Rescue Kits within Veterans Affairs Health Care Medical Treatment Settings
Authors: Winograd Rachel P. , Davis Corey S. , Niculete Maria , Oliva Elizabeth , Martielli Richard P.
Published: May 2017

Background: Overdose from opioids is a serious public health and clinical concern. Veterans are at increased risk for opioid overdose compared with the civilian population, suggesting the need for enhanced efforts to address overdose prevention in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care settings, such as primary care clinics. Methods: Prescribing providers ( N = 45) completed surveys on baseline knowledge and concerns about the VA Overdose Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) initiative prior to attending an OEND educational training. Results: Survey items were grouped into 4 OEND-related categories, reflecting (1) lack of knowledge/familiarity/comfort; (2) concerns about iatrogenic effects; (3) concerns about impressions of unsafe opioid prescribing; and (4) concerns about risks of naloxone prescribing. Although certain OEND-related categories were associated with each other, concerns related to iatrogenic effects of OEND (e.g., patients will use more opioids and/or be less likely to see treatment) and lack of knowledge/familiarity/comfort with OEND were endorsed more than concerns related to giving impressions of unsafe opioid prescribing. The majority of providers endorsed the belief that those prescribing opioids to patients should be responsible for providing overdose education to those patients. System-wide naloxone prescription rates and sources increased over 320% following initiation of OEND expansion efforts, although these increases cannot be viewed as a direct result of the in-service trainings. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate that some providers believe they lack knowledge of opioid overdose prevention techniques and hold concerns about OEND implementation. More training of medical providers outside substance use treatment settings is needed, with particular attention to concerns about harmful consequences resulting from the receipt of naloxone.
Effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on the increase in type II collagen accumulation in cartilage-like MSC sheets
Authors: Sato Keigo , Mera Hisashi , Wakitani Shigeyuki , Takagi Mutsumi
Published: May 2017

With the aim to increase type II collagen content in the scaffold-free cartilage-like cell sheet using human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, we examined the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) addition to the chondrogenic medium for the cell sheet culture. The addition of EGCG (10 μM) increased the content of type II collagen 2-fold, while the addition did not markedly change the expression level of the genes encoding type II collagen and Sox 9. The reactive oxygen species level in the cells in cell sheets was thought to be too low to suppress the accumulation of type II collagen. On the other hand, the addition of EGCG markedly decreased both the matrix metalloproteinase-13 concentration in the supernatant of cell sheet culture and the type II collagen degradation activity in that supernatant. Taken together, EGCG may enhance the accumulation of type II collagen by suppressing type II collagen degradation.
Identification and positional distribution analysis of transcription factor binding sites for genes from the wheat fl-cDNA sequences
Authors: Chen Zhen-Yong , Guo Xiao-Jiang , Chen Zhong-Xu , Chen Wei-Ying , Wang Ji-Rui
Published: May 2017

The binding sites of transcription factors (TFs) in upstream DNA regions are called transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs). TFBSs are important elements for regulating gene expression. To date, there have been few studies on the profiles of TFBSs in plants. In total, 4,873 sequences with 5ʹ upstream regions from 8530 wheat fl-cDNA sequences were used to predict TFBSs. We found 4572 TFBSs for the MADS TF family, which was twice as many as for bHLH (1951), B3 (1951), HB superfamily (1914), ERF (1820), and AP2/ERF (1725) TFs, and was approximately four times higher than the remaining TFBS types. The percentage of TFBSs and TF members showed a distinct distribution in different tissues. Overall, the distribution of TFBSs in the upstream regions of wheat fl-cDNA sequences had significant difference. Meanwhile, high frequencies of some types of TFBSs were found in specific regions in the upstream sequences. Both TFs and fl-cDNA with TFBSs predicted in the same tissues exhibited specific distribution preferences for regulating gene expression. The tissue-specific analysis of TFs and fl-cDNA with TFBSs provides useful information for functional research, and can be used to identify relationships between tissue-specific TFs and fl-cDNA with TFBSs. Moreover, the positional distribution of TFBSs indicates that some types of wheat TFBS have different positional distribution preferences in the upstream regions of genes.
Pleiotropic functions of the yeast Greatwall-family protein kinase Rim15p: a novel target for the control of alcoholic fermentation
Authors: Watanabe Daisuke , Takagi Hiroshi
Published: May 2017

Rim15p, a Greatwall-family protein kinase in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, is required for cellular nutrient responses, such as the entry into quiescence and the induction of meiosis and sporulation. In higher eukaryotes, the orthologous gene products are commonly involved in the cell cycle G2/M transition. How are these pleiotropic functions generated from a single family of protein kinases? Recent advances in both research fields have identified the conserved Greatwall-mediated signaling pathway and a variety of downstream target molecules. In addition, our studies of S. cerevisiae sake yeast strains revealed that Rim15p also plays a significant role in the control of alcoholic fermentation. Despite an extensive history of research on glycolysis and alcoholic fermentation, there has been no critical clue to artificial modification of fermentation performance of yeast cells. Our finding of an in vivo metabolic regulatory mechanism is expected to provide a major breakthrough in yeast breeding technologies for fermentation applications.
Supplementary comparisons of COOMET in the field of measurements of liquids kinematical viscosity COOMET.M.V-S2
Authors: Demyanov A A , Tsurko A A
Published: May 2017

In the comparisons three Newtonian liquid samples were used with nominal values of 20 mm2/s 100 mm2/s and 1000 mm2/s ('20', '100' and '1000', respectively) at 20 °C. Each NMI presented results of measurements values kinematic viscosity samples, uncertainty and uncertainty budget.

The purpose of these comparisons was confirmation of measurement and calibration capabilities (CMC) of the relevant NMI.

As a reference the values of kinematic viscosity reference samples were taken as average values of measurement results obtained in the research laboratory of the national standards and research in the field of measurements of viscosity and density of the D I Mendeleev Institute for Metrology (VNIIM, RF), as a participant in international comparisons CCM.V-K1, BIPM.

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
BioMake: a GNU make-compatible utility for declarative workflow management
Authors: Holmes Ian H , Mungall Christopher J
Published: May 2017

Motivation

The Unix ‘make’ program is widely used in bioinformatics pipelines, but suffers from problems that limit its application to large analysis datasets. These include reliance on file modification times to determine whether a target is stale, lack of support for parallel execution on clusters, and restricted flexibility to extend the underlying logic program.

Results

We present BioMake, a make-like utility that is compatible with most features of GNU Make and adds support for popular cluster-based job-queue engines, MD5 signatures as an alternative to timestamps, and logic programming extensions in Prolog.

Availability and implementation

BioMake is available for MacOSX and Linux systems from https://github.com/evoldoers/biomake under the BSD3 license. The only dependency is SWI-Prolog (version 7), available from http://www.swi-prolog.org/.

Supplementary information

Feature table comparing BioMake to similar tools. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
A high-coverage draft genome of the mycalesine butterfly Bicyclus anynana
Authors: Nowell Reuben W. , Elsworth Ben , Oostra Vicencio , Zwaan Bas J. , Wheat Christopher W. , Saastamoinen Marjo , Saccheri Ilik J. , van't Hof Arjen E. , Wasik Bethany R. , Connahs Heidi , Aslam Muhammad L. , Kumar Sujai , Challis Richard J. , Monteiro Antónia , Brakefield Paul M. , Blaxter Mark
Published: May 2017

The mycalesine butterfly Bicyclus anynana, the “Squinting bush brown,” is a model organism in the study of lepidopteran ecology, development, and evolution. Here, we present a draft genome sequence for B. anynana to serve as a genomics resource for current and future studies of this important model species. Seven libraries with insert sizes ranging from 350 bp to 20 kb were constructed using DNA from an inbred female and sequenced using both Illumina and PacBio technology; 128 Gb of raw Illumina data was filtered to 124 Gb and assembled to a final size of 475 Mb (~×260 assembly coverage). Contigs were scaffolded using mate-pair, transcriptome, and PacBio data into 10 800 sequences with an N50 of 638 kb (longest scaffold 5 Mb). The genome is comprised of 26% repetitive elements and encodes a total of 22 642 predicted protein-coding genes. Recovery of a BUSCO set of core metazoan genes was almost complete (98%). Overall, these metrics compare well with other recently published lepidopteran genomes. We report a high-quality draft genome sequence for Bicyclus anynana. The genome assembly and annotated gene models are available at LepBase (http://ensembl.lepbase.org/index.html).
How supernovae launch galactic winds?
Authors: Fielding Drummond , Quataert Eliot , Martizzi Davide , Faucher-Giguère Claude-André
Published: May 2017

We use idealized three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of global galactic discs to study the launching of galactic winds by supernovae (SNe). The simulations resolve the cooling radii of the majority of supernova remnants (SNRs) and thus self-consistently capture how SNe drive galactic winds. We find that SNe launch highly supersonic winds with properties that agree reasonably well with expectations from analytic models. The energy loading ($\eta _{\rm E}= \dot{E}_{\rm wind}/ \dot{E}_{\rm SN}$) of the winds in our simulations are well converged with spatial resolution while the wind mass loading ($\eta _{\rm M}= \dot{M}_{\rm wind}/\dot{M}_\star$) decreases with resolution at the resolutions we achieve. We present a simple analytic model based on the concept that SNRs with cooling radii greater than the local scaleheight break out of the disc and power the wind. This model successfully explains the dependence (or lack thereof) of ηE (and by extension ηM) on the gas surface density, star formation efficiency, disc radius and the clustering of SNe. The winds our simulations are weaker than expected in reality, likely due to the fact that we seed SNe preferentially at density peaks. Clustering SNe in time and space substantially increases the wind power.
SODA: prediction of protein solubility from disorder and aggregation propensity
Authors: Paladin Lisanna , Piovesan Damiano , Tosatto Silvio C. E.
Published: May 2017

Solubility is an important, albeit not well understood, feature determining protein behavior. It is of paramount importance in protein engineering, where similar folded proteins may behave in very different ways in solution. Here we present SODA, a novel method to predict the changes of protein solubility based on several physico-chemical properties of the protein. SODA uses the propensity of the protein sequence to aggregate as well as intrinsic disorder, plus hydrophobicity and secondary structure preferences to estimate changes in solubility. It has been trained and benchmarked on two different datasets. The comparison to other recently published methods shows that SODA has state-of-the-art performance and is particularly well suited to predict mutations decreasing solubility. The method is fast, returning results for single mutations in seconds. A usage example estimating the full repertoire of mutations for a human germline antibody highlights several solubility hotspots on the surface. The web server, complete with RESTful interface and extensive help, can be accessed from URL: http://protein.bio.unipd.it/soda.
Bipolar Cutting Method: Another Technique for Harvesting Donor Artery With Histological Investigation
Authors: Tokugawa Joji , Ogura Kanako , Yatomi Kenji , Kudo Kentaro , Hishii Makoto , Tanikawa Rokuya , Kamiyama Hiroyasu
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Safe and appropriate harvesting of the donor scalp vessel is the first key procedure in any type of bypass surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To use the so-called bipolar cutting method to harvest donor arteries, in which the donor arteries are skeletonized with bipolar cautery. The surgical procedure and the preparation of the equipment of the bipolar cutting method are described. The surgical results and histological assessment are presented.

METHODS

The bipolar generator was set at 50 Malis units in the coagulation mode. Under the surgical microscope, the surrounding tissue of the donor artery was divided and coagulated with the bipolar forceps. The donor artery was completely skeletonized to provide adequate length. After the recipient artery was chosen and the anastomosis site was decided, the distal end of the donor artery was cut to the appropriate length. The remnant fragment of the donor artery was histologically investigated for any damage to the arterial wall. The specimen was cut longitudinally to observe the entire length of the arterial wall and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and elastica van Gieson.

RESULTS

A total of 30 bypass surgeries were performed and 38 histological specimens were obtained between February 2015 and June 2016. The success rate of the bypass was 96%. No arterial wall damage such as thermal injury or dissection of the wall was recognized in any of the specimens.

CONCLUSION

The bipolar cutting method is a useful and safe method for harvesting donor scalp artery.
Radial Artery Fascial Flow-Through Free Flap for Combined Revascularization in Moyamoya Disease
Authors: Russin Jonathan , Carey Joseph
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Free flaps are commonly used by other surgical subspecialties for soft tissue reconstruction and revascularization. Cranial applications of these flaps have been limited to only a single case report.

OBJECTIVE

To present a new technique for combined revascularization in moyamoya disease using a flow-through free flap.

METHODS

Data were obtained from an Institutional Review Board-approved, prospectively maintained database with informed consent from the patient.

RESULTS

A 28-yr-old patient presented with progressive stenosis of the proximal anterior cerebral artery resulting in ischemic infarcts. Direct revascularization of the anterior cerebral artery territory and indirect revascularization of the middle cerebral artery with a large vascularized fascial pedicle was performed.

CONCLUSION

Flow-through free flaps offer a unique combination of revascularization and a large vascularized pedicle. This technique highlights the application of these flaps for revascularization in moyamoya disease and the value of multidisciplinary collaboration. Revascularization will likely play an increasing role in the open surgical treatment of cerebrovascular disease. We believe that flow-through free flaps will be a contribution to the future of revascularization in neurosurgery.
Properties of molecular gas in galaxies in the early and mid stages of interaction. II. Molecular gas fraction
Authors: Kaneko Hiroyuki , Kuno Nario , Iono Daisuke , Tamura Yoichi , Tosaki Tomoka , Nakanishi Kouichiro , Sawada Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2017

We have investigated properties of the interstellar medium in interacting galaxies in early and mid stages using mapping data of 12CO(J = 1–0) and H i. Assuming the standard CO–H2 conversion factor, we found no difference in molecular gas mass, atomic gas mass, and total gas mass (the sum of atomic and molecular gas mass) between interacting galaxies and isolated galaxies. However, interacting galaxies have a higher global molecular gas fraction $f_{\rm {mol}}^{\rm {global}}$ (the ratio of molecular gas mass to total gas mass averaged over a whole galaxy) at 0.71 ± 0.15 than isolated galaxies (0.52 ± 0.18). The distribution of the local molecular gas fraction fmol, the ratio of the surface density of molecular gas to that of the total gas, is different from the distribution in typical isolated galaxies. By a pixel-to-pixel comparison, isolated spiral galaxies show a gradual increase in fmol along the surface density of total gas until it is saturated at 1.0, while interacting galaxies show no clear relation. We performed pixel-to-pixel theoretical model fits by varying metallicity and external pressure. According to the model fitting, external pressure can explain the trend of fmol in the interacting galaxies. Assuming half of the standard CO–H2 conversion factor for interacting galaxies, the results of pixel-to-pixel theoretical model fitting get worse than adopting the standard conversion factor, although $f_{\rm {mol}}^{\rm {global}}$ of interacting galaxies (0.62 ± 0.17) becomes the same as in isolated galaxies. We conclude that external pressure occurs due to the shock prevailing over a whole galaxy or due to collisions between giant molecular clouds even in the early stage of the interaction. The external pressure accelerates an efficient transition from atomic gas to molecular gas. Regarding the chemical timescale, high fmol can be achieved at the very early stage of interaction even if the shock induced by the collision of galaxies ionizes interstellar gas.
Neurophysiologic Correlates of Ketamine Sedation and Anesthesia
Authors: Vlisides Phillip E. , Bel-Bahar Tarik , Lee UnCheol , Li Duan , Kim Hyoungkyu , Janke Ellen , Tarnal Vijay , Pichurko Adrian B. , McKinney Amy M. , Kunkler Bryan S. , Picton Paul , Mashour George A.
Published: May 2017

Background

Previous studies have demonstrated inconsistent neurophysiologic effects of ketamine, although discrepant findings might relate to differences in doses studied, brain regions analyzed, coadministration of other anesthetic medications, and resolution of the electroencephalograph. The objective of this study was to characterize the dose-dependent effects of ketamine on cortical oscillations and functional connectivity.

Methods

Ten healthy human volunteers were recruited for study participation. The data were recorded using a 128-channel electroencephalograph during baseline consciousness, subanesthetic dosing (0.5 mg/kg over 40 min), anesthetic dosing (1.5 mg/kg bolus), and recovery. No other sedative or anesthetic medications were administered. Spectrograms, topomaps, and functional connectivity (weighted and directed phase lag index) were computed and analyzed.

Results

Frontal theta bandwidth power increased most dramatically during ketamine anesthesia (mean power ± SD, 4.25 ± 1.90 dB) compared to the baseline (0.64 ± 0.28 dB), subanesthetic (0.60 ± 0.30 dB), and recovery (0.68 ± 0.41 dB) states; P < 0.001. Gamma power also increased during ketamine anesthesia. Weighted phase lag index demonstrated theta phase locking within anterior regions (0.2349 ± 0.1170, P < 0.001) and between anterior and posterior regions (0.2159 ± 0.1538, P < 0.01) during ketamine anesthesia. Alpha power gradually decreased with subanesthetic ketamine, and anterior-to-posterior directed connectivity was maximally reduced (0.0282 ± 0.0772) during ketamine anesthesia compared to all other states (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Ketamine anesthesia correlates most clearly with distinct changes in the theta bandwidth, including increased power and functional connectivity. Anterior-to-posterior connectivity in the alpha bandwidth becomes maximally depressed with anesthetic ketamine administration, suggesting a dose-dependent effect.
Epidemiologic Surveillance of Teenage Birth Rates in the United States, 2006–2012
Authors: Amin Raid , Decesare Julie Zemaitis , Hans Jennifer , Roussos-Ross Kay
Published: May 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the geographic variation in the average teenage birth rates by county in the contiguous United States.

METHODS:

Data from the National Center for Health Statistics were used in this retrospective cohort to count the total number of live births to females aged 15–19 years by county between 2006 and 2012. Software for disease surveillance and spatial cluster analysis was used to identify clusters of high or low teenage births in counties or areas of greater than 100,000 teenage females. The analysis was then adjusted for percentage of poverty and high school diploma achievement.

RESULTS:

The unadjusted analysis identified the top 10 clusters of teenage births. The cluster with the highest rate was a city and the surrounding 40 counties, demonstrating an average teen birth rate of 67 per 1,000 females in the age range, 87% higher than the rate in the contiguous United States. Adjustments for poverty rates and high school diploma achievement shifted the top clusters to other areas.

CONCLUSION:

Despite an overall national decline in the teenage birth rate, clusters of elevated teenage birth rates remain. These clusters are not random and remain higher than expected when adjusted for poverty and education. This data set provides a framework to focus targeted interventions to reduce teenage birth rates in this high-risk population.
Maternal Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Neonatal Birth Outcomes With and Without Assisted Reproduction
Authors: Crawford Sara , Joshi Nikhil , Boulet Sheree L. , Bailey Marie A. , Hood Maria-Elena , Manning Susan E. , McKane Patricia , Kirby Russell S. , Kissin Dmitry M. , Jamieson Denise J. ,   for the States Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technology (SMART) Collaborative
Published: May 2017

OBJECTIVE:

To explore disparities in prematurity and low birth weight (LBW) by maternal race and ethnicity among singletons conceived with and without assisted reproductive technology (ART).

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective cohort study using resident birth certificate data from Florida, Massachusetts, and Michigan linked with data from the National ART Surveillance System from 2000 to 2010. There were 4,568,822 live births, of which 64,834 were conceived with ART. We compared maternal and ART cycle characteristics of singleton liveborn neonates using χ2 tests across maternal race and ethnicity groups. We used log binomial models to explore associations between maternal race and ethnicity and LBW and preterm birth by ART conception status.

RESULTS:

The proportion of liveborn neonates conceived with ART differed by maternal race and ethnicity (P<.01). It was smallest among neonates of non-Hispanic black (0.3%) and Hispanic women (0.6%) as compared with neonates of non-Hispanic white (2.0%) and Asian or Pacific Islander women (1.9%). The percentages of LBW or preterm singletons were highest for neonates of non-Hispanic black women both for non-ART (11.3% and 12.4%) and ART (16.1% and 19.1%) -conceived neonates. After adjusting for maternal factors, the risks of LBW or preterm birth for singletons born to non-Hispanic black mothers were 2.12 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.10–2.14] and 1.56 (95% CI 1.54–1.57) times higher for non-ART neonates and 1.87 (95% CI 1.57–2.23) and 1.56 (95% CI 1.34–1.83) times higher for ART neonates compared with neonates of non-Hispanic white women. The adjusted risk for LBW was also significantly higher for ART and non-ART singletons born to Hispanic (adjusted relative risk [RR] 1.26, 95% CI 1.09–1.47 and adjusted RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.13–1.16) and Asian or Pacific Islander (adjusted RR 1.39, 95% CI 1.16–1.65 and adjusted RR 1.55, 95% CI 1.52–1.58) women compared with non-Hispanic white women.

CONCLUSION:

Disparities in adverse perinatal outcomes by maternal race and ethnicity persisted for neonates conceived with and without ART.