bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Complainant: The Canadian Human Rights Case on First Nations Child Welfare
Authors: Blackstock Cindy
Published: June 2017

In February 2007, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada and the Assembly of First Nations filed a complaint under the Canadian Human Rights Act alleging that the Government of Canada’s inequitable provision of child welfare services to 163,000 First Nations children, along with its flawed implementation of Jordan’s Principle, was discriminatory on the prohibited grounds of race and national ethnic origin. The case was highly contested. By the time the final arguments were heard in 2014, the Government of Canada had made eight unsuccessful attempts to get the case dismissed on technical grounds and breached the law on three occasions. On 26 January 2016, the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal substantiated the complaint and ordered the Canadian Government to cease its discriminatory conduct. This article describes this historic case from the perspective of the executive director of the complainant, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society of Canada, highlighting access to justice issues for equality-seeking Indigenous groups, children, and civil society. Recommendations for reform are discussed.
The Boundaries of Corporate Law and Trust Law: An Analysis of Locking v. McCowan
Authors: Anand Anita , Iacobucci Edward
Published: June 2017

There is an increasing trend among real estate investment trusts (REITs) to employ corporate law duties in formulating the duties of trustees. We contend that this approach represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the trust versus corporate law. To illustrate this point, we examine the case of Locking v. McCowan, a decision that we claim underscores the conceptual uncertainty regarding the extent to which corporate law applies in the income trust context. We argue that the case takes into account the difference between trusts and corporations in certain aspects of the decision, while, in others, it blurs the distinction between the two.

In support of our argument, we note that income trusts lack a separate legal personality and are thus fundamentally different from corporations. The law governing each form therefore is not, and ought not be, identical. To apply corporate law to the interpretation of trustees’ duties fails to acknowledge the absence of a distinct legal entity in the trust context, and the historically fundamental fiduciary relationship between trustees and beneficiaries (i.e., unitholders, in this context). We favour greater clarity in the drafting of the declarations of trust (DOTs) to reflect an understanding that corporate law fiduciary duties should not ground trustees’ duties. Simply importing corporate law fiduciary duties into the DOT undermines the certainty on which DOTs, and thus the income trust market, should operate.
Phytoremédiation de sols pollués par les hydrocarbures – évaluation des potentialités de six espèces végétales tropicales
Authors: Nguemté Pulchérie Matsodoum , Wafo Guy Valérie Djumyom , Djocgoue Pierre François , Kengne Noumsi Ives Magloire , Wanko Ngnien Adrien
Published: June 2017

Les écoulements et les transferts de matières à travers les sols et sous-sols sont des processus qui impactent les ressources en eau. Ainsi, la restauration des milieux dégradés participe à la préservation de la qualité de la ressource. Afin de contribuer à la décontamination des sols pollués par phytoremédiation - technique de dépollution basée sur l’action des plantes en association avec les micro-organismes du sol - des inventaires floristiques de sites potentiellement pollués et non pollués (témoins) par les hydrocarbures ont été réalisés dans quatre villes du Cameroun. Sur la base d'indicateurs floristiques, six espèces ont été sélectionnées, et leurs capacités phytoremédiatrices testées dans un sol pollué par du fioul à 82,5 mL∙kg‑1 de sol pendant 150 jours en présence de trois modalités : Tn - sols non pollués plantés (6), To - sols pollués non plantés (3) et Tp - sols pollués plantés (18). La biodiversité des sites pollués (106 espèces, 76 genres et 30 familles) est moins élevée que celle des témoins (166 espèces, 125 genres et 50 familles). Les espèces les plus fréquentes (Fri > 10 %) et abondantes (7 % < A < 10 %) sur les sites potentiellement pollués sont dominées par 15 espèces tropicales; parmi lesquelles, Eleusine indica (L.) Gaertn., Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers., Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex DC†, Commelinpa benghalensis L., Cleome ciliata Schum. et Thonn., et Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anderson, sont utilisées dans des essais de phytoremédiation des sols contaminés au fioul domestique. Seules trois de ces espèces, notamment E. indica, C. dactylon et A. sessilis ont pu survivre et se développer. Contrairement à A. sessilis, E. indica et C. dactylon ne présentent pas de différence significative pour les paramètres de croissance considérés entre les modalités Tn et Tp. Les espèces E. indica et C. dactylon seraient donc plus tolérantes au fioul domestique que l’espèce A. sessilis.
Coğrafya Konuların Öğretiminde Materyal Kullanımının Öğrenci Başarısına Etkisi: Bir Meta Analiz Çalışması / The Effect of the Usage of Instructional Materials on Student Achievement in Teaching Geography: A Meta-analytic Study
Authors: İnel Yusuf , Sezer Adem
Published: June 2017

Abstract

This study aims to combine the results of independent studies in order to reveal the impact of the usage of instructional materials in teaching geography subjects on students’ achievement. We have tried to answer the question “Do the instructional materials in teaching geography subjects impact on students’ achievement?”. The study is performed via meta-analysis. The total sampling size obtained from 31 studies included in analysis. The data were analyzed using STATA 13. and CMA 3 programs. When analyzing the data, the values of standard deviation, arithmetic average and sampling size of postest measures of control and experimental groups in each study were used. The results of this study indicate that the usage of instructional materials in the teaching geography subjects impacts positively on students’ achievementat at wider effect size. They also show that there is no any statistically difference among effect size by sampling stage (high school), the material type used, research type, and publication years of studies. 

Öz

Bu çalışmada, coğrafya konuların öğretilmesinde kullanılan materyallerin öğrenci başarısı üzerindeki etkisinin tespit edilmesine yönelik yapılmış birbirinden bağımsız çalışmalardan elde edilen sonuçların birleştirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaç dâhilinde, “Coğrafya Konuların Öğretiminde Kullanılan Materyaller, öğrencilerin akademik başarılarını etkilemekte midir?” sorusuna cevap aranmıştır. Çalışma, meta analiz yöntemiyle gerçekleştirilmiştir. Analize dahil edilen 31 çalışmadan elde edilen toplam örneklem büyüklüğü 2138 dir. Verilerin analizinde STATA 13 ve CMA 3 programları kullanılmıştır. Verileri analiz ederken her bir çalışmanın kontrol ve deney grubunun sontest ölçümlerinden standart sapma, aritmetik ve örneklem büyüklüğü değerleri kullanılmıştır. Çalışma sonucunda, coğrafya konuların öğretiminde kullanılan materyallerin öğrencilerin akademik başarılarına pozitif yönde geniş düzeyde etki ettiği görülmüştür. Ayrıca, araştırmanın karakteristiğini oluşturan öğrenim düzeyi, materyal türü, çalışma türü ve çalışmaların yayınlandığı yıl değişkenlerine göre etki büyüklükleri açısından istatistikî olarak bir farkın olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. 
Slow‐sinking particulate organic carbon in the Atlantic Ocean: Magnitude, flux, and potential controls
Authors: Baker Chelsey A. , Henson Stephanie A. , Cavan Emma L. , Giering Sarah L. C. , Yool Andrew , Gehlen Marion , Belcher Anna , Riley Jennifer S. , Smith Helen E. K. , Sanders Richard
Published: June 2017

The remineralization depth of particulate organic carbon (POC) fluxes exported from the surface ocean exerts a major control over atmospheric CO₂ levels. According to a long‐held paradigm most of the POC exported to depth is associated with large particles. However, recent lines of evidence suggest that slow‐sinking POC (SSPOC) may be an important contributor to this flux. Here we assess the circumstances under which this occurs. Our study uses samples collected using the Marine Snow Catcher throughout the Atlantic Ocean, from high latitudes to midlatitudes. We find median SSPOC concentrations of 5.5 μg L−1, 13 times smaller than suspended POC concentrations and 75 times higher than median fast‐sinking POC (FSPOC) concentrations (0.07 μg L−1). Export fluxes of SSPOC generally exceed FSPOC flux, with the exception being during a spring bloom sampled in the Southern Ocean. In the Southern Ocean SSPOC fluxes often increase with depth relative to FSPOC flux, likely due to midwater fragmentation of FSPOC, a process which may contribute to shallow mineralization of POC and hence to reduced carbon storage. Biogeochemical models do not generally reproduce this behavior, meaning that they likely overestimate long‐term ocean carbon storage.
Rates of mantle cooling and exhumation during rifting constrained by REE‐in‐pyroxene speedometry
Authors: Smye A. , Seman S. , Hudak M. , Crispin K.
Published: June 2017

Ocean basins are formed when continents are broken apart. Adiabatic melt generation that is driven by rifting of continental lithosphere is strongly dependent on the rate of extension. Slow extension results in conductive heat loss from the upwelling mantle, whereas cooling is limited during fast extension and can result in the geotherm intersecting the peridotite solidus. However, there are few direct constraints on the rates of mantle upwelling during extension of continental lithosphere. Here we use diffusion modeling of subsolidus REE re‐equilibration between orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene to show that the Lanzo peridotite massif—lithospheric mantle exhumed during opening of the Ligurian Tethys—cooled at rates between 5 and 25°C/Myr across the spinel‐to‐plagioclase peridotite facies transition. We show that these rates are sufficiently slow to suppress significant adiabatic melt generation, providing an explanation for the magma‐poor nature of the Alpine Tethys margin.
Steady‐state supercritical CO2 and brine relative permeability in Berea sandstone at different temperature and pressure conditions
Authors: Chen Xiongyu , Gao Shuang , Kianinejad Amir , DiCarlo David A.
Published: June 2017

We measure steady‐state two‐phase supercritical CO2‐brine relative permeabilities in a 61 cm‐long Berea sandstone core at three different conditions (40°C and 12.41 MPa, 40°C and 8.27 MPa, and 60°C and 12.41 MPa) under primary drainage. We use pressure taps to obtain pressure drops of individual sections of the core, and X‐ray Computed Tomography (CT) to obtain in situ saturation profiles, which together help to mitigate the capillary end effect. We include previously measured relative permeabilities at 20°C and 10.34 MPa, and compare all the data using both an eye‐test and a statistical test. We find no appreciable temperature and pressure dependence of CO2 relative permeability within 20–60°C and 8.27–12.41 MPa. We find slight changes in the brine relative permeability between supercritical CO2 conditions (40–60°C and 8.27–12.41 MPa) and the liquid CO2 condition (20°C and 10.34 MPa). The temperature and pressure independence of CO2 relative permeability has been previously recognized and reassured in this work using a capillary‐effect‐free method. This allows one to use a single CO2 relative permeability curve in modeling two‐phase CO2 flow within 20–60°C and 8.27–12.41 MPa.
Alkynyl Moiety for Triggering 1,2‐Metallate Shifts: Enantiospecific sp2–sp3 Coupling of Boronic Esters with p‐Arylacetylenes
Authors: Ganesh Venkataraman , Odachowski Marcin , Aggarwal Varinder K.
Published: June 2017

The enantiospecific coupling of secondary and tertiary boronic esters to aromatics has been investigated. Using p‐lithiated phenylacetylenes and a range of boronic esters coupling has been achieved by the addition of N‐bromosuccinimide (NBS). The alkyne functionality of the intermediate boronate complex reacts with NBS triggering the 1,2‐migration of the group on boron to carbon giving a dearomatized bromoallene intermediate. At this point elimination and rearomatization occurs with neopentyl boronic esters, giving the coupled products. However, using pinacol boronic esters, the boron moiety migrates to the adjacent carbon resulting in formation of ortho boron‐incorporated coupled products. The synthetic utility of the boron incorporated product has been demonstrated by orthogonal transformation of both the alkyne and boronic ester functionalities.
Reversible Product Release and Recapture by a Fungal Polyketide Synthase Using a Carnitine Acyltransferase Domain
Authors: Hang Leibniz , Tang Man‐Cheng , Harvey Colin J. B. , Page Claire G. , Li Jian , Hung Yiu‐Sun , Liu Nicholas , Hillenmeyer Maureen E. , Tang Yi
Published: June 2017

Fungal polyketides have significant biological activities, yet the biosynthesis by highly reducing polyketide synthases (HRPKSs) remains enigmatic. An uncharacterized group of HRPKSs was found to contain a C‐terminal domain with significant homology to carnitine O‐acyltransferase (cAT). Characterization of one such HRPKS (Tv6‐931) from Trichoderma virens showed that the cAT domain is capable of esterifying the polyketide product with polyalcohol nucleophiles. This process is readily reversible, as confirmed through the holo ACP‐dependent transesterification of the released product. The methyltransferase (MT) domain of Tv6‐931 can perform two consecutive α‐methylation steps on the last β‐keto intermediate to yield an α,α‐gem‐dimethyl product, a new programing feature among HRPKSs. Recapturing of the released product by cAT domain is suggested to facilitate complete gem‐dimethylation by the MT.
Iterative Learning Control for Linear Discrete‐Time Systems with Unknown High‐Order Internal Models: A Time‐Frequency Analysis Approach
Authors: Zhu Qiao , Xu Jian‐Xin , Huang Deqing , Hu Guang‐Di
Published: June 2017

This work focuses on the iterative learning control (ILC) for linear discrete‐time systems with unknown initial state and disturbances. First, multiple high‐order internal models (HOIMs) are introduced for the reference, initial state, and disturbances. Both the initial state and disturbance consist of two components, one strictly satisfies HOIM and the other is random bounded. Then, an ILC scheme is constructed according to an augmented HOIM that is the aggregation of all HOIMs. For all known HOIMs, an ILC design criterion is introduced to achieve satisfactory tracking performance based on the 2‐D
theory. Next, the case with unknown HOIMs is discussed, where a time‐frequency‐analysis (TFA)‐based ILC algorithm is proposed. In this situation, it is shown that the tracking error inherits the unknown augmented HOIM that is an aggregation of all unknown HOIMs. Then, a TFA‐based method, e.g., the short‐time Fourier transformation (STFT), is employed to identify the unknown augmented HOIM, where the STFT could ignore the effect of the random bounded initial state and disturbances. A new ILC law is designed for the identified unknown augmented HOIM, which has the ability to reject the unknown the initial state and disturbances that strictly satisfy HOIMs. Finally, a gantry robot system with iteration‐invariant or slowly‐varying frequencies is given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed TFA‐based ILC algorithm.
Fractional Order Controller for Controlling Power System Dynamic Behavior
Authors: Nangrani S. P. , Bhat S. S.
Published: June 2017

Several power system networks exhibit bifurcation, chaos and instability behavior for some specific values of initial conditions and parameters. Angle and voltage instability behavior of power system is prone to such specific values and parameter variation. This paper proposes fractional order proportional integral controller (FOPI) based state feedback for precise and robust control of such undesirable behavior. This paper proposes first ever use of FOPI for precise rotor angle control leading to instability in power system dynamic behavior. FOPI controller is applied on generator connected to IEEE‐14 bus benchmark model. The ripple frequency of turbine torque is chosen as one of the cause of instability behavior of power system, which has the potential possibility to push system behavior to chaos and instability mode. The proposed FOPI controller design will inhibit the dynamic behavior of power system to safe and stable bounds. Proposed strategy can be applied to other large power system models as well due to its simplicity in design philosophy. Several phase plane trajectories with and without FOPI controller are used to support the viewpoint.
Neue DIN 4085 – Berechnung des Erddrucks
Authors: Hettler Achim
Published: June 2017

DIN 4085: 2011‐05, die ursprünglich 2005 zum ersten Mal veröffentlicht wurde, wird 2017 durch eine vollständig überarbeitete sowie an neuere wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse angepasste Neufassung ersetzt. Im folgenden Beitrag soll eine kurze Übersicht gegeben und auf wesentliche Änderungen eingegangen werden.
A platinized stainless steel fiber with in‐situ coated polyaniline/polypyrrole/graphene oxide nanocomposite sorbent for headspace solid‐phase microextraction of aliphatic aldehydes in rice samples
Authors: Ghiasvand Alireza , Nasirian Afagh , Koonani Samira , Nouriasl Kolsoum
Published: June 2017

The surface of a stainless steel fiber was made larger, porous and cohesive by platinizing for tight attachment of its coating. Then it was coated by a polyaniline/polypyrrole/graphene oxide (PANI/PP/GO) nanocomposite film using electrochemical polymerization. The prepared PANI/PP/GO fiber was used for headspace solid‐phase microextraction (HS‐SPME) of linear aliphatic aldehydes in rice samples followed by GC‐FID determination. To achieve the highest extraction efficiency, various experimental parameters including extraction time and temperature, matrix modifier and desorption condition were studied. The linear calibration curves were obtained over the range of 0.05–20 μg g−1 (R2 > 0.99) for C4–C11 aldehydes. The limits of detection were found to be in the range of 0.01–0.04 μg g−1. RSD values were calculated to be <7.4 and 10.7% for intra‐ and inter‐day, respectively. The superiority of the prepared nanocomposite SPME fiber was established by comparison of its results with those obtained by polydimethylsiloxane, carbowax–divinylbenzene, divinylbenzene–carboxen–polydimethylsiloxane and polyacrylate commercial ones. Finally, the nanocomposite fiber was used to extract and determine linear aliphatic aldehydes in 18 rice samples.
Folate functionalized silicon nanowires with highly enhanced adhesion to cancer cells
Authors: Shadmani Saeid , Salehi Zeinab , Doosthosseini Hamid , Mohajerzadeh Shams , Roozbahani Sahar
Published: June 2017

In this study, we implemented a functionalization process on the surface of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) which were fabricated by chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method in a low‐pressure CVD (LPCVD) chamber. Surface functionalization was carried out in three stages: hydroxylation of the surface with piranha solution, silanization with a solution of 3‐Aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) in n‐hexane, and finally functionalization with folic acid as a detection agent. Optical spectroscopy and electron microscopy techniques were used to experimentally characterize materials. Surface functionalization was evaluated using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier‐Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR‐ATR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Miscoscopy (FESEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Cell adhesion to functionalized and non‐functionalized silicon nanowires was compared; a cell assay analysis on lung metastatic cells was conducted. Lung cancer metastatic QUDB cells were seeded on a SiNWs surface in RPMI1640 complete medium. To evaluate the adhesion of cancer cells to these surfaces FESEM imaging was used. The number of cancer cells trapped on the folic acid functionalized SiNWs was found to be approximately 3 times higher than that of the non‐functionalized ones.
Electrocatalytic Mechanism Involving Michaelis–Menten Kinetics at the Preparative Scale: Theory and Applicability to Photocurrents from a Photosynthetic Algae Suspension With Quinones
Authors: Longatte Guillaume , Guille‐Collignon Manon , Lemaître Frédéric
Published: June 2017

In the past years, many strategies have been implemented to benefit from oxygenic photosynthesis to harvest photosynthetic electrons and produce a significant photocurrent. Therefore, electrochemical tools were considered and have globally relied on the electron transfer(s) between the photosynthetic chain and a collecting electrode. In this context, we recently reported the implementation of an electrochemical set‐up at the preparative scale to produce photocurrents from a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii algae suspension with an appropriate mediator (2,6‐DCBQ) and a carbon gauze as the working electrode. In the present work, we wish to describe a mathematical modeling of the recorded photocurrents to better understand the effects of the experimental conditions on the photosynthetic extraction of electrons. In that way, we established a general model of an electrocatalytic mechanism at the preparative scale (that is, assuming a homogenous bulk solution at any time and a constant diffusion layer, both assumptions being valid under forced convection) in which the chemical step involves a Michaelis–Menten‐like behaviour. Dependences of transient and steady‐state corresponding currents were analysed as a function of different parameters by means of zone diagrams. This model was tested to our experimental data related to photosynthesis. The corresponding results suggest that competitive pathways beyond photosynthetic harvesting alone should be taken into account.
Development of the growth technique on cerium bromide single crystal by Halide‐micro‐pulling‐down method
Authors: Ito Tomoki , Yokota Yuui , Kurosawa Shunsuke , Kamada Kei , Ohashi Yuji , Yoshikawa Akira
Published: June 2017

We developed the growth technique of the CeBr3 scintillator single crystal by a Halide‐micro‐pulling‐down (H‐μ‐PD) method using a carbon crucible with a die under suitable temperature gradient. Four‐types after‐heaters with different configurations were prepared to control the temperature gradient around the liquid‐solid interface during crystal growth. The high temperature gradient resulted in the stable meniscus during the crystal growth and the CeBr3 single crystal with high transparency could be obtained. The light yield and the decay time under γ‐ray irradiation were ∼68,000 ph/MeV and 19 ns, respectively.
An algorithm for the selection of effective error correction coding in wireless networks based on a lookup table structure
Authors: Pham Thanh‐Nam , Tsai Ming‐Fong , Wu Tin‐Yu , Guizani Nadra
Published: June 2017

In this paper, we propose an adaptive Forward Error Correction (FEC) coding algorithm at the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer used in wireless networks. Our algorithm is based on the lookup table architecture, including a distance lookup table and a bit error rate lookup table. These tables will store the best value of the FEC codes based on different distances and bit error rates. Because radio channels change over time, the bit error rate is always changing, or in the case of mobile nodes, when the transmission distance changes, the bit error rate also changes, so previously proposed algorithms take longer to find the optimal value of the FEC code for data transmission. Our proposed algorithm, however, is based on 2 lookup tables, and thus, it can always quickly select an optimal FEC code during early data transmissions and achieve high performance. We compare our algorithm with other methods based on performance metrics such as the recovery overhead of FEC codes, energy efficiency, and peak‐signal‐to‐noise ratio values in the case of image transmission. Our simulation indicates that the proposed algorithm achieves better performances and proves the correctness of the proposed lookup table architecture.
Neural Probe with Multiple Optical Stimulation in Depth Direction
Authors: TAMAKI SHUNSUKE , MATSUNAGA TADAO , KUKI TOSHINOBU , MUSHIAKE HAJIME , FURUSAWA YOSHIHITO , HAGA YOICHI
Published: June 2017

In this paper, tube‐shaped neural probe that has eight recording areas and three optical emitting points using with optogenetics technique for neural circuit analysis has been developed. Outer diameter of tube is 360 μm, the recording areas and the optical emitting points arranged in a depth direction. The optical emitting points make it possible to stimulate neurons in various depth areas respectively. We demonstrated the recording and stimulating of neurons in vivo experiment. As the result, the probe got light‐induced neural activities at all the optical emitting points.
Spatiotemporal modeling of ecological and sociological predictors of West Nile virus in Suffolk County, NY, mosquitoes
Authors: Myer Mark H. , Campbell Scott R. , Johnston John M.
Published: June 2017

Suffolk County, New York, is a locus for West Nile virus (WNV) infection in the American northeast that includes the majority of Long Island to the east of New York City. The county has a system of light and gravid traps used for mosquito collection and disease monitoring. In order to identify predictors of WNV incidence in mosquitoes and predict future occurrence of WNV, we have developed a spatiotemporal Bayesian model, beginning with over 40 ecological, meteorological, and built‐environment covariates. A mixed‐effects model including spatially and temporally correlated errors was fit to WNV surveillance data from 2008 to 2014 using the R package “R‐INLA,” which allows for Bayesian modeling using the stochastic partial differential equation (SPDE) approach. The integrated nested Laplace approximation (INLA) SPDE allows for simultaneous fitting of a temporal parameter and a spatial covariance, while incorporating a variety of likelihood functions and running in R statistical software on a home computer. We found that land cover classified as open water and woody wetlands had a negative association with WNV incidence in mosquitoes, and the count of septic systems was associated with an increase in WNV. Mean temperature at two‐week lag was associated with a strong positive impact, while mean precipitation at no lag and one‐week lag was associated with positive and negative impacts on WNV, respectively. Incorporation of spatiotemporal factors resulted in a marked increase in model goodness‐of‐fit. The predictive power of the model was evaluated on 2015 surveillance results, where the best model achieved a sensitivity of 80.9% and a specificity of 77.0%. The spatial covariate was mapped across the county, identifying a gradient of WNV prevalence increasing from east to west. The Bayesian spatiotemporal model improves upon previous approaches, and we recommend the INLA SPDE methodology as an efficient way to develop robust models from surveillance data to develop and enhance monitoring and control programs. Our study confirms previously found associations between weather conditions and WNV and suggests that wetland cover has a mitigating effect on WNV infection in mosquitoes, while high septic system density is associated with an increase in WNV infection.
Theory and implementation of switch‐based hybrid simulation technology for earthquake engineering applications
Authors: Yang T.Y. , Tung Dorian P. , Li Yuanjie , Lin Jian Yuan , Li Kang , Guo Wei
Published: June 2017

Hybrid simulation (HS) is a novel technique to combine analytical and experimental sub‐assemblies to examine the dynamic responses of a structure during an earthquake shaking. Traditionally, HS uses displacement‐based control where the finite element program calculates trial displacements and applies them to both the analytical and experimental sub‐assemblies. Displacement‐based HS (DHS) has been proven to work well for most structural sub‐assemblies. However, for specimens with high stiffness, traditional DHS does not work because it is difficult to precisely control hydraulic actuators in small displacement. A small control error in displacement will result in large force response fluctuations for stiff specimens. This paper resolves this challenge by proposing a force‐based HS (FHS) algorithm that directly calculates trial forces instead of trial displacements. The proposed FHS is finite element based and applicable to both linear and nonlinear systems. For specimens with drastic changes in stiffness, such as yielding, a switch‐based HS (SHS) algorithm is proposed. A stiffness‐based switching criterion between the DHS and FHS algorithms is presented in this paper. All the developed algorithms are applied to a simple one‐story one‐bay concentrically braced moment frame. The result shows that SHS outperforms DHS and FHS. SHS is then utilized to validate the seismic performance of an innovative earthquake resilient fused structure. The result shows that SHS works in switching between the DHS and FHS modes for a highly nonlinear and highly indeterminate structural system. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extreme behavior in a triple friction pendulum isolated frame
Authors: Becker Tracy C. , Bao Yu , Mahin Stephen A.
Published: June 2017

While isolation can provide significantly enhanced performance compared to fixed‐base counter parts in design level or even maximum considered level earthquakes, there is still uncertainty over the performance of isolation systems in extreme events. Researchers have looked at component level stability of rubber bearings and on the effect of moat impact on behavior of structures isolated on general bilinear isolators. However, testing of triple friction pendulum (TFP) sliding bearings has not been done dynamically or incorporated into a building system. Here, one‐third scale laboratory tests were conducted to on a 2‐story 2‐bay TFP‐isolated structure. Input motions were increasingly scaled until failure occurred at the isolation level. As the superstructure was designed with a yield force equivalent to the force of the bearing just at their ultimate displacement capacity, there was minimal yielding. A numerical model is presented to simulate the isolated building up to and including bearing failure. Forces transferred to the superstructure in extreme motions are examined using both experimental and numerical data. Additionally, the effect of the hardening stage of the TFP bearing is evaluated using the numerical model, finding slight benefits.
SymbioCity: Smart cities for smarter networks
Authors: Chiariotti Federico , Condoluci Massimo , Mahmoodi Toktam , Zanella Andrea
Published: June 2017

The “Smart City” concept revolves around the idea of embodying cutting‐edge information and communication technology solutions in the very fabric of future cities to offer new and better services to citizens while lowering the city management costs in monetary, social, and environmental terms. In this framework, communication technologies are perceived as subservient to the Smart City services, providing the means to collect and process the data needed to make the services function. In this paper, we propose a new vision in which technology and Smart City services are designed to take advantage of each other in a symbiotic manner. According to this new paradigm, which we call “SymbioCity”, Smart City services can indeed be exploited to improve the performance of the same communication systems that provide them with data. Suggestive examples of this symbiotic ecosystem are discussed in this paper. The discussion is then substantiated in a proof‐of‐concept case study, where we show how the traffic monitoring service provided by the London Smart City initiative can be used to predict the density of users in a certain zone and optimize the cellular service in that area.
Thermal degradation and fire performance of wood treated with PMUF resin and boron compounds
Authors: Wang Fei , Liu Junliang , Lv Wenhua
Published: June 2017

Plantation Chinese fir wood was modified by low molecular weight phenol melamine urea formaldehyde (PMUF) resin, boron compounds (BB), and the mixture of PMUF/BB (PMUF‐BB), followed by a curing step. The fire performance and thermal degradation of wood was measured by limiting oxygen index instrument, cone calorimeter, and simultaneous thermal analysis. The results showed that the limiting oxygen index increased to 50.7%, 43.5%, and 55.0% for BB, PMUF, and PMUF‐BB samples, respectively. The PMUF resin decreased the heat release rate of wood but increased the total heat release compared with the control samples. The thermal analysis results demonstrated that PMUF resin enhanced the thermal stability of wood, however, had little impact on the residual chars. Combinative treatment with boron compounds could substantially reduce the fire risk for PMUF‐modified wood, making them especially useful for application in public settings.
Antiplatelet therapy and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in chronic hepatitis B patients on antiviral treatment
Authors: Lee Minjong , Chung Goh Eun , Lee Jeong‐Hoon , Oh Sohee , Nam Joon Yeul , Chang Young , Cho Hyeki , Ahn Hongkeun , Cho Young Youn , Yoo Jeong‐ju , Cho Yuri , Lee Dong Hyeon , Cho Eun Ju , Yu Su Jong , Lee Dong Ho , Lee Jeong Min , Kim Yoon Jun , Yoon Jung‐Hwan
Published: June 2017

Antiplatelet therapy has shown protective effects against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in preclinical studies. However, it is unclear whether antiplatelet therapy lowers the risk of HCC in patients with chronic hepatitis B. A retrospective analysis was conducted of data from 1,674 chronic hepatitis B patients, enrolled between January 2002 and May 2015, whose serum hepatitis B virus DNA levels were suppressed by antivirals to <2,000 IU/mL. The primary and secondary outcomes were development of HCC and bleeding events, respectively. Risk was compared between patients with antiplatelet treatment (aspirin, clopidogrel, or both; antiplatelet group) and patients who were not treated (non‐antiplatelet group) using a time‐varying Cox proportional hazards model for total population and propensity score–matching analysis. The antiplatelet group included 558 patients, and the non‐antiplatelet group had 1,116 patients. During the study period, 63 patients (3.8%) developed HCC. In time‐varying Cox proportional analyses, the antiplatelet group showed a significantly lower risk of HCC (hazard ratio [HR], 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23–0.85; P = 0.01), regardless of antiplatelet agent. In propensity score–matched pairs, antiplatelet therapy significantly reduced the risk of HCC (HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.15‐0.77; P = 0.01). However, the overall risk of bleeding was higher in the antiplatelet group (HR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.98‐5.42; P < 0.001), particularly for clopidogrel with or without aspirin. Treatment with aspirin alone was not associated with a higher bleeding risk (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.48‐2.54; P = 0.81). Conclusion: Antiplatelet therapy reduces the risk of HCC in chronic hepatitis B patients whose hepatitis B virus is effectively suppressed. However, antiplatelet therapy containing clopidogrel may increase the risk of bleeding. (Hepatology 2017;66:1556–1569)
Phosphorus export dynamics and hydrobiogeochemical controls across gradients of scale, topography and human impact
Authors: Ali Genevieve , Wilson Henry , Elliott Jane , Penner Amber , Haque Aminul , Ross Cody , Rabie Maliheh
Published: June 2017

Concentration‐discharge (c‐Q) plots are routinely used as an integrated signal of watershed response to infer solute sources and travel pathways. However, the interpretation of c‐Q data can be difficult unless these data are fitted using statistical models. Such models are frequently applied for geogenic solutes, but it is unclear to what extent they might aid in the investigation of nutrient export patterns, particularly for total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) which is a critical driver of downstream eutrophication problems. The goal of the present study was therefore to statistically model c‐Q relations (where c is TDP concentrations) in a set of contrasting watersheds in the Northern Great Plains—ranging in size from 0.2 to 1000+ km2—to assess the controls of landscape properties on TDP transport dynamics. Six statistical models were fitted to c‐Q data, notably (a) one linear model, (b) one model assuming that c‐Q relations are driven by the mixing of end‐member waters from different landscape locations (i.e., hydrograph separation), (c) one model relying on a biogeochemical stationarity hypothesis (i.e., power law), (d) one model hypothesizing that c‐Q relations change as a function of the solute subsurface contact time (i.e., hyperbolic model), and (e) two models assuming that solute fluxes are mostly dependent on reaction rates (i.e., chemical models). Model performance ranged from mediocre (R2 < 0.2) to very good (R2 > 0.9), but the hydrograph separation model seemed most universal. No watershed was found to exhibit chemostatic behaviour, but many showed signs of dilution or enrichment behaviour. A tendency toward a multi‐model fit and better model performance was observed for watersheds with moderate slope and higher effective drainage area. The relatively poor model performance obtained outside these conditions illustrates the likely importance of controls on TDP concentrations in the region that are independent of flow dynamics.
First‐principles modeling of hafnia‐based nanotubes
Authors: Evarestov Robert A. , Bandura Andrei V. , Porsev Vitaly V. , Kovalenko Alexey V.
Published: June 2017

Hybrid density functional theory calculations were performed for the first time on structure, stability, phonon frequencies, and thermodynamic functions of hafnia‐based single‐wall nanotubes. The nanotubes were rolled up from the thin free layers of cubic and tetragonal phases of HfO2. It was shown that the most stable HfO2 single‐wall nanotubes can be obtained from hexagonal (111) layer of the cubic phase. Phonon frequencies have been calculated for different HfO2 nanolayers and nanotubes to prove the local stability and to find the thermal contributions to their thermodynamic functions. The role of phonons in stability of nanotubes seems to be negligible for the internal energy and noticeable for the Helmholtz free energy. Zone folding approach has been applied to estimate the connection between phonon modes of the layer and nanotubes and to approximate the nanotube thermodynamic properties. It is found that the zone‐folding approximation is sufficiently accurate for heat capacity, but less accurate for entropy. The comparison has been done between the properties of TiO2, ZrO2, and HfO2. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Rapid Synthesis of Chiral Allylic Amines via Microwave‐assisted Asymmetric Alkenylation of N‐Tosyl Aldimines Catalyzed by Rhodium/Chiral Diene Complexes
Authors: Gopula Balraj , Zeng Hao‐Wei , Wu Ping‐Yu , Henschke Julian P. , Wu Hsyueh‐Liang
Published: June 2017

A method providing expeditious access to chiral allylic amines via a Rh(I)/bicyclo[2.2.1]heptadiene‐catalyzed enantioselective alkenylation of N‐tosyl aldimines with potassium alkenyltrifluoroborates under microwave irradiation is described. The rate of the asymmetric 1,2‐addition reaction, conducted in the presence of 1 mol % of the catalyst, was significantly enhanced as compared to when the standard heating method was applied while still providing the corresponding products without decrease in enantioselectivity.
Apigenin induces ROS‐dependent apoptosis and ER stress in human endometriosis cells
Authors: Park Sunwoo , Lim Whasun , Bazer Fuller W. , Song Gwonhwa
Published: June 2017

Apigenin is a plant‐derived flavonoid having antiproliferative, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐angiogenic properties in chronic and metabolic diseases, and cancers. However, the functional role of apigenin remains to be identified in human endometriosis that is a benign inflammatory disease causing infertility, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic abdominal or pelvic pain. In the present study, we determined the effects of apigenin on two well‐established human endometriosis cell lines (VK2/E6E7 and End1/E6E7). Apigenin reduced proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in the both endometriosis cell lines. In addition, it disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) which was accompanied by an increase in concentration of calcium ions in the cytosol and in pro‐apoptotic proteins including Bax and cytochrome c in the VK2/E6E7 and End1/E6E7 cells. Moreover, apigenin treated cells accumulated excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), and experienced lipid peroxidation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress with activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) regulatory proteins. Furthermore, the apigenin‐induced apoptosis in endometriosis cells was regulated via the ERK1/2, JNK, and AKT cell signaling pathways. Taken together, apigenin is a potential novel therapeutic agent to overcome current limitations in the treatment to endometriosis.
Adenosine: An endogenous mediator in the pathogenesis of gynecological cancer
Authors: Bahreyni Amirhossein , Samani Seyed S. , Ghorbani Elnaz , Rahmani Farzad , khayami Reza , Toroghian Younes , Behnam‐Rassouli Reihane , Khazaei Majid , Ryzhikov Mikhail , Parizadeh Mohammad R. , Hasanzadeh Malihe , Avan Amir , Hassanian Seyed M.
Published: June 2017

Extracellular concentration of adenosine increases in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. Adenosine signaling regulates apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, and immune suppression in cancer cells. Adenosine‐induced cell responses depend upon different subtypes of adenosine receptors activation and type of cancer. Suppression of adenosine signaling via inhibition of adenosine receptors or adenosine generating enzymes including CD39 and CD73 on ovarian or cervical cancer cells is a potentially novel therapeutic approach for gynecological cancer patients. This review summarizes the role of adenosine in the pathogenesis of gynecological cancer for a better understanding and hence a better management of this disease.
Conditionally targeted deletion of PSEN1 leads to diastolic heart dysfunction
Authors: Song Xiao‐Wei , Yuan Qing‐Ning , Tang Ying , Cao Mi , Shen Ya‐Feng , Zeng Zhen‐Yu , Lei Chang‐Hai , Li SongHua , Zhao Xian‐Xian , Yang Yong‐Ji
Published: June 2017

Recently, PSEN1 has been reported to have mutations in dilated cardiomyopathy pedigrees. However, the function and mechanism of PSEN1 in cardiomyopathy remains unresolved. Here, we established four types of genetically modified mice to determine the function of PSEN1 in cardiac development and pathology. PSEN1 null mutation resulted in perinatal death, retardation of heart growth, ventricular dilatation, septum defects, and valvular thickening. PSEN1 knockout in adults led to decreased muscle fibers, widened sarcomere Z lines and reduced lengths of sarcomeres in cardiomyocytes. Cardiovascular loss of function of PSEN1 induced by Sm22a‐Cre or Myh6‐Cre/ER/tamoxifen also resulted in severe ultrastructural abnormalities, such as relaxed gap junctions between neighboring cardiomyocytes. Functionally, cardiovascular deletion of PSEN1 caused spontaneous mortality from birth to adulthood and led to diastolic heart dysfunction, including decreased volume of the left ventricle at the end‐systolic and end‐diastolic stages. Additionally, in a myocardial ischemia model, deletion of PSEN1 in the cardiovascular system first protected mice by inducing adaptive hypertrophy but ultimately resulted in severe heart failure. Furthermore, a collection of genes was abnormally expressed in the hearts of cardiac‐specific PSEN1 knockout mice. They were enriched in cell proliferation, calcium regulation, and so on. Taken together, dynamic regulation and abnormal function of PSEN1 underlie the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases due to ultrastructural abnormality of cardiomyocytes.
The association between insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and ischemic heart disease among Rumoi residents
Authors: Tan Ce , Sasagawa Yutaka , Mori Mitsuru
Published: June 2017

Background

It has widely been proven that metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD). MetS is confirmed based upon insulin resistance (IR). Our aim of this study is to evaluate the role of MetS and IR in the prediction of IHD incidence.

Methods

A total of 404 non‐diabetic participants who underwent 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (75 g OGTT) were enrolled from 2001 to 2009. Risk factors for IHD were measured as well. The homeostatic index of IR (HOMA‐IR) and the homeostatic model assessment beta cell function (HOMA‐β) were calculated according to the homeostasis model assessment. Cox proportional‐hazard regression model was used to estimate hazard ratio (HR). All data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA).

Results

In our study, the average follow‐up period was 6.7 years. Eighteen subjects of IHD incidence were recorded. After adjusting for age and sex, subjects with IR or hyperinsulinemia had a high risk of IHD, the hazard ratio (95% confidence intervals) for IHD were 4.58 (1.59‐13.15), 4.25 (1.64‐11.91), respectively. The highest hazard ratio was 7.56 (2.27‐25.18) which was found among the subjects with both IR and hyperinsulinemia. In addition, the hazard ratio (95% confidence intervals) of subjects with MetS was 2.80(1.10‐7.09).

Conclusions

IR and hyperinsulinemia are related to the risk of IHD. IR combined with hyperinsulinemia may be superior to MetS for predicting the IHD incidence.
A Facile Approach Toward Scalable Fabrication of Reversible Shape‐Memory Polymers with Bonded Elastomer Microphases as Internal Stress Provider
Authors: Fan Long Fei , Rong Min Zhi , Zhang Ming Qiu , Chen Xu Dong
Published: June 2017

The present communication reports a novel strategy to fabricate reversible shape‐memory polymer that operates without the aid of external force on the basis of a two‐phase structure design. The proof‐of‐concept material, crosslinked styrene‐butadiene‐styrene block copolymer (SBS, dispersed phase)/polycaprolactone‐based polyurethane (PU, continuous phase) blend, possesses a closely connected microphase separation structure. That is, SBS phases are chemically bonded to crosslinked PU by means of a single crosslinking agent and two‐step crosslinking process for increasing integrity of the system. Miscibility between components in the blend is no longer critical by taking advantage of the reactive blending technique. It is found that a suitable programming leads to compressed SBS, which serves as internal expansion stress provider as a result. The desired two‐way shape‐memory effect is realized by the joint action of the temperature‐induced reversible opposite directional deformabilities of the crystalline phase of PU and compressed SBS, accompanying melting and orientated recrystallization of the former. Owing to the broadness of material selection and manufacturing convenience, the proposed approach opens an avenue toward mass production and application of the smart polymer.