bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the yield of gastrointestinal testing in pediatric patients in aerodigestive clinic
Authors: DeBoer Emily M. , Kinder Sarah , Duggar Alison , Prager Jeremy D. , Soden Jason , Deterding Robin R. , Ruiz Amanda G. , Jensen Emily L. , Weinman Jason , Wine Todd , Fortunato John E. , Friedlander Joel A.
Published: October 2018

Objective

To improve understanding of the interrelatedness of airway and esophageal diagnoses by evaluating the yield of procedural and radiographic testing of the gastrointestinal tract in children with airway conditions by their referring diagnoses in a pediatric aerodigestive clinic.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of all 325 patients seen in the aerodigestive program from 2010 to 2013 was performed in a single academic medical center. Demographics and results from esophagogastroduodenoscopies with biopsies (EGD), upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy studies (UGI), and pH multichannel intraluminal impedance probe (pH‐MII) performed within 30 days of the clinic visit were evaluated according to presenting diagnoses.

Results

Mean patient age was 3.15 years (range 0.15‐24 years) and 41.2% were born premature. 189/325 (58.1%) were on acid suppression. A total of 295 EGD, 193 pH‐MII, and 54 UGI were performed. The most common diagnosis with an abnormal pH‐MII was asthma. The most common diagnoses with an abnormal EGD were feeding difficulty and tracheal esophageal fistula/ esophageal atresia (TEF/EA). EGDs were normal in 188/295 (63.7%), while 39/295 (13.2%) demonstrated esophagitis, and 22/295 (7.5%) had >15 esophageal eosinophils per high power field. The majority of pH‐MII (144/193 [74.6%]) and UGI (47/54 [87%]) were normal.

Conclusions

Children with feeding difficulty, TEF/EA, and asthma were the mostly likely to have a histologic abnormality on EGD or an abnormal pH‐MII. The majority of children were previously prescribed acid suppression medication and had a referring diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease but were subsequently found to have normal evaluation. Prospective studies are needed to optimize care of this population.
High‐efficient bacterial production of human ApoA‐I amyloidogenic variants
Authors: Del Giudice Rita , Lagerstedt Jens O.
Published: October 2018

Apolipoprotein A‐I (ApoA‐I)‐related amyloidosis is a rare disease caused by missense mutations in the APOA1 gene. These mutations lead to protein aggregation and abnormal accumulation of ApoA‐I amyloid fibrils in heart, liver, kidneys, skin, nerves, ovaries, or testes. Consequently, the carriers are at risk of single‐ or multi‐organ failure and of need of organ transplantation. Understanding the basic molecular structure and function of ApoA‐I amyloidogenic variants, as well as their biological effects, is, therefore, of great interest. However, the intrinsic low stability of this type of proteins makes their overexpression and purification difficult. To overcome this barrier, we here describe an optimized production and purification procedure for human ApoA‐I amyloidogenic proteins that efficiently provides between 46 mg and 91 mg (depending on the protein variant) of pure protein per liter of Escherichia coli culture. Structural integrity of the amyloidogenic and native ApoA‐I proteins were verified by circular dichroism spectroscopy and intrinsic fluorescence analysis, and preserved functionality was demonstrated by use of a lipid clearance assay as well as by reconstitution of high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. In conclusion, the use of the described high‐yield protein production system to obtain amyloidogenic ApoA‐I proteins, and their native counterpart, will enable molecular and cellular experimental studies aimed to explain the molecular basis for this rare disease.
Helping humans get it right
Authors: Miller Lindsey , Grounds Cheryl
Published: October 2018

Humans are involved in every incident. Humans design, operate and maintain the equipment we operate. Yet human performance may not be a primary area of focus. The UK HSE requires task analysis on some tasks which has prompted a greater understanding of human performance basics than in the United States, where the topic is not directly addressed in regulation. Often human factors studies use vocabulary that is not familiar to process safety professionals and require specialist consultant support. This article will share a tool developed by BP based on approaches used in the United Kingdom. The tool provides a step‐by‐step approach for considering the human performance of a task [to design the task to reduce mistakes OR to promote safe, reliable completion of the task]. It uses simple terminology and may be used by process safety professionals and operations personnel. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 38: e12003, 2019
A Systematic Evaluation of Effect of Adherence Patterns on the Sample Size and Power of a Clinical Study
Authors: Mallayasamy Surulivelrajan , Chaturvedula Ayyappa , Blaschke Terrence , Fossler Michael J.
Published: October 2018

The objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of adherence patterns on the sample size and power of a clinical trial. Simulations from a population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model linked to an adherence model were used. Four types of drug characteristics, such as long (~35 hours) and short (~12 hours) half‐life in combination with earlier or delayed time to reach steady‐state PD end points were studied. Adherence patterns were simulated using Markov chains. Our results clearly demonstrate the significant impact of varying levels and patterns of nonadherence on the sample size and power of a study. For drugs with short half‐lives the evidence to support efficacy could be diluted by various patterns of nonadherence that would make its efficacy indistinguishable from the response to placebo. Prospectively utilizing clinical trial simulations with thorough incorporation of various adherence patterns would provide valuable information when designing a trial.
Non‐Joulian Magnetostriction and Non‐Joulian Magnetism
Authors: Chopra Harsh Deep , Ravishankar Abhijith , Pacifico Matthew S. , Forst Marcus L.
Published: October 2018

Complementing volume‐conserving Joule magnetostriction (JM), the non‐Joulian magnetostriction (NJM) phenomenon has recently been discovered whose hallmark is change in volume of the crystals in magnetic fields. This article reviews the unique set of non‐Joulian properties that are so non‐conforming relative to conventional magnets that they merit the designation of a distinctly new class of (functional) magnets. This review distils key aspects of non‐Joulian magneto‐elasticity and magnetism, including the sign of volume change (contracting or expanding); the orientation dependence of volume change that is key to realizing large volume changes (remarkably, this volume‐anisotropy coexists with a seemingly isotropic magnetization response for all crystal axes); and a digital coercivity landscape unlike that seen in conventional magnets. NJM lay undiscovered for nearly two decades because prior literature assumed, without experimental foundation, that iron‐based alloys obeyed volume‐conserving JM. Measurements now show that volume change is inherent across wide composition ranges, occurring in both quenched, metastable, and inexorably slow‐cooled, equilibrated crystals. While not essential, quenching promotes long‐range periodicity of magneto‐elastic gradients with enhanced NJM. Another objective is to “frame” Joulian‐to‐non‐Joulian behavior within a single framework of magnetically responsive, wave‐like elastic medium in which approach to homogeneity yields the limiting case of JM; in fact, gradient magnet‐elasticity is indispensable to describing non‐Joulian magnetism. A consequential auxiliary finding is the large differences in intrinsic magneto‐elastic constants for seemingly equivalent crystal axes, consistent with gradient magneto‐elasticity. Consequentially, a sizeable literature that previously characterized these crystals using volume‐conserving assumption and framework of phenomenological magnetostriction theory of homogeneous cubic crystals is rendered moot, and unreliable for high‐fidelity applications.
Electronic Properties of Air‐Sensitive Nanomaterials Probed with Microwave Impedance Measurements
Authors: Márkus Bence G. , Csősz Gábor , Sági Olivér , Gyüre‐Garami Balázs , Lloret Vicent , Wild Stefan , Abellán Gonzalo , Nemes Norbert M. , Klupp Gyöngyi , Kamarás Katalin , Hirsch Andreas , Hauke Frank , Simon Ferenc
Published: October 2018

Characterization of electronic properties of novel materials is of great importance for exploratory materials development and also for the discovery of new correlated phases. As several novel compounds are available in powder form only, contactless methods, which also work on air‐sensitive samples, are highly desired. We present that the microwave cavity perturbation technique is a versatile tool to study conductivity in such systems. The examples include studies on semiconducting–metallic crossover in carbon nanotubes upon alkali doping, study of vortex motion in the K3C60 superconductor, and the characterization of various alkali atom doped phases of black phosphorus.
Insights Into Interfacial Interaction and Its Influence on the Electronic and Optical Properties of Two‐Dimensional WS2/TX2CO2 (TX = Ti, Zr) van der Waals Heterostructures
Authors: Ma Li‐Li , Wu Hong‐Yu , Huang Wei‐Qing , Hu Wang‐Yu , Peng Ping , Huang Gui‐Fang
Published: October 2018

Two‐dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), carbides (MXenes), and their heterostructures showcase several key properties that can address emerging energy needs, in particular for solar energy conversion and storage devices. Understanding the fundamental science of these heterostructures is paramount to designing them with desirable properties. Using a detailed theoretical study of 2D WS2/TX2CO2 (TX = Ti, Zr) van der Waals heterostructure, as a typical case, based on density functional theory, we firstly reveal that the interfacial interaction is mainly dependent on their stacking configuration and/or TX atom. Compared to that of individual, the band gap of heterostructure is obviously reduced. The strong absorption in the ultraviolet and visible‐light region, the type‐II staggered band alignment at the interface make the 2D WS2/TX2CO2 heterostructures promising candidates for photocatalysis, photodetector, and solar energy harvesting and conversion. Moreover, these heterostructures can also be effective solar cell materials with theoretical power conversion efficiency up to 11.30%, suggesting that they are potential candidates for solar energy conversion. This work provides the insight into the interfacial interaction and its effects, and can facilitate the applications of TMDs and MXenes.
Inorganic Molecular Chain Nb2Se9: Synthesis of Bulk Crystal and One‐Atom‐Thick Level Exfoliation
Authors: Oh Seungbae , Chae Sudong , Kim Bum Jun , Siddiqa Akhtar J. , Choi Kyung Hwan , Jang Woo‐Sung , Lee Keun Ho , Kim Hyo Yeol , Lee Dong Kyu , Kim Young‐Min , Yu Hak Ki , Choi Jae‐Young
Published: October 2018

A novel one‐dimensional (1D) inorganic material, Nb2Se9, which can be separated into atomic‐level, is synthesized through chemical reaction between Nb and Se sources. Nb2Se9 and Se crystals are formed under an excess Se condition to avoid other phase such as NbSe3, and the residual Se can be removed by heat treatment; thus, high‐purity Nb2Se9 crystals can be obtained. The one‐atom‐thick level Nb2Se9 nanochains are successfully obtained by mechanical exfoliation and dispersion in a solvent. The covalently bonded Nb2Se9 chain, when isolated from its three‐dimensional bulk material, is expected to have unique physical properties based on electron confinement in the 1D chain structure and the absence of dangling bonds. In addition, it has excellent thermal stability (up to 500 °C) and can be widely used in various fields.
Reliability analysis of standby systems with multi‐state elements subject to constant transition rates
Authors: Jia Heping , Levitin Gregory , Ding Yi , Song Yonghua
Published: October 2018

Standby redundancy has been extensively applied to critical engineering systems to enhance system reliability. Researches on reliability evaluation for standby systems focus more on systems with binary‐state elements. However, multi‐state elements with different performances have played a significant role in engineering systems. This paper presents an approach for reliability analysis of standby systems composed of multi‐state elements with constant state transition rates and absorbing failure states. The approach allows modelling different standby systems beyond cold, warm and hot ones by taking into account differences in possible maintenance of elements in standby and operation modes and dependence of elements' operational behavior on their initial state at the time of activation. An iterative algorithm for reliability evaluation based on element state probabilities is suggested. Illustrating examples of evaluating reliability of different types of homogeneous and heterogeneous standby systems are demonstrated.
Real options economic control chart for binomial and normal processes
Authors: Moltchanova Elena
Published: October 2018

In this paper, we extend the earlier presented real options control chart (ROCC). In the real options framework, at any given moment, we compare the cost of recalibrating the process with the cost of postponing the (optimal) decision for later. The decision is thus based on cost minimization rather than statistically significant deviations from the in‐control process. We explain the general principles of constructing ROCC for both discrete and continuous processes and the describe the numeric algorithms that allow us to apply these principles to the cases of binomial and Gaussian process. Simulation studies demonstrate that, on average, ROCC runs longer than the standard economic control chart (SECC) and outperforms it in terms of average final costs.
Development of a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry method for monitoring of long‐term exposure to parabens
Authors: Cho Sung‐Hee , Song Han‐Na
Published: October 2018

Rationale

Parabens, the alkyl esters of 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid, are a family of compounds widely used as preservatives in cosmetic products, including for children, and some are permitted in foods. Parabens are known to be weak endocrine disruptors because they interfere with the function of endogenous hormones through binding to estrogen receptors. Therefore, the levels of parabens in biological samples indicate endocrine‐disruptive exposure. In particular, hair samples can provide information on accumulated exposure to parabens.

Methods

For monitoring of long‐term exposure to parabens, an improved analytical method for rapid and direct determination in hair sample was developed involving ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry using on‐line extraction. Five parabens (methyl‐, ethyl‐, propyl‐, butyl‐ and benzylparaben) were separated within 10 min after incubation with 1 N HCl. Parabens were separated using a Waters BEH C18 column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) and a mobile phase consisting of 10 mM ammonium acetate in water and acetonitrile with a gradient program at a flow rate of 300 μL/min. The analysis of the separated parabens was monitored with electrospray negative ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Results

The linearity of the method was demonstrated by r2 ≥ 0.994. The limits of detection as defined by a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 were 1–5 ng/g. The mean concentration of the five parabens in hair of human subjects was measured to be 55.6 ± 24.3 to 136.9 ± 48.5 ng/g.

Conclusions

The levels of parabens in hair samples may play an important role in understanding probable endocrine‐disruptive exposure, and the described method could be used to evaluate and monitor long‐term exposure to parabens as endocrine disruptors.
Bipartite synchronization of Lur'e network under signed digraph
Authors: Liu Fang , Song Qiang , Wen Guanghui , Lu Jianquan , Cao Jinde
Published: October 2018

This paper considers the bipartite leaderless and leader‐following synchronization in a network of coupled Lur'e systems with sector‐condition node dynamics and signed digraph topology, where the interaction digraph consists of both positive and negative communication links. Continuous‐time and sampled‐data control algorithms are, respectively, proposed to solve the bipartite synchronization problems for the signed Lur'e network. Under some assumptions on the network structure and node functions, some bipartite synchronization conditions are established for signed Lur'e network by using coordinate transform, linear matrix inequalities, and algebraic graph theories. For the continuous‐time control algorithms, it is shown that the bipartite synchronization problems of the signed Lur'e network can always be solved if the coupling strength is sufficiently large and the network topology satisfies some suitable conditions. For the sampled‐data control algorithms, an upper bound of the sampling intervals is estimated to ensure that the bipartite synchronization can be reached in the signed Lur'e network. Some simulation results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.
Handling of nonlinear systems using filtered high‐gain output feedback controller
Authors: Ma Tong , Liu Yuqian , Shih Cyuansi , Cao Chengyu
Published: October 2018

This paper develops a filtered high‐gain output feedback controller for a class of nonlinear systems in the presence of unknown state‐dependent and time‐varying nonlinearities. It considers that the nonlinearities satisfy a semiglobal Lipschitz condition. The presence of high‐gain observer in the adaptive law delivers a good property of disturbance rejection at the cost of peaking phenomenon as well as reduced robustness. The addition of filtering mechanism in the control law overcomes the cons of high‐gain observer and makes it robust to uncertainties in modeling the nonlinear functions. In this way, the filtered high‐gain output feedback controller realizes nonlinear time‐varying uncertainty cancelation and good tracking delivering with guaranteed robustness. The simulation results demonstrate the high efficiency of our novel design for handling of a class of nonlinear systems in the presence of time‐varying uncertainty when compared with saturated control signal.
Exploring the impacts of carbon tax on tourism‐related energy consumption in China
Authors: Zhang Jiekuan , Zhang Yan
Published: October 2018

A carbon tax policy has been advocated as an effective tool to develop low‐carbon economy in China. As one of the most influential and dynamic industries, Chinese tourism industry will foresee a new challenge under the carbon tax scenario. Given this background, this study explores the impacts of carbon tax on tourism development from the perspective of energy consumption by using computable general equilibrium modeling in China. Our findings clearly indicate that (a) the proportion of tourism energy consumption to national energy consumption in China will increase over time, (b) the impacts of carbon tax on China's tourism fossil energy consumption, electricity consumption, and energy intensity will become increasingly weak, (c) the impacts of a carbon tax on electricity use are greater than the impacts on fossil fuel consumption, and (d) the impacts of different carbon taxes on the levels of energy consumption and energy intensity will vary to a significant degree between the different tourism sectors. Our results are conducive to recognizing the changes of tourism energy consumption levels after levying a carbon tax. Furthermore, this paper also has a certain reference value to guide any relevant, subsequent studies in other destinations or economic sectors, worldwide.
Nitride‐Based Microlight‐Emitting Diodes Using AlN Thin‐Film Electrodes with Nanoscale Indium/Tin Conducting Filaments
Authors: Son Kyung Rock , Lee Tae Ho , Lee Byeong Ryong , Im Hyun Sik , Kim Tae Geun
Published: October 2018

Microlight‐emitting diodes (µLEDs) are emerging solutions for both high‐quality displays and lighting technologies. However, the overall light output power density of these devices is low, as the emission area is shielded by the p‐electrodes required for current injection. In this study, instead of the more conventionally used indium tin oxide (ITO), an AlN thin film with nanoscale conducing filaments (CFs) is used, referred to as CF‐AlN, as a transparent conducting electrode (TCE), to enhance the output power density from the same emission area. As a result of this modification, the electroluminescence intensity is enhanced by 10% at an injection current of 10 mA, and the current density is improved by 13% at a forward voltage of 4.9 V, in comparison to the parameters observed with ITO‐based µLEDs. This improvement is attributed to the higher transmittance of CF‐AlN TCEs, together with efficient hole injection from the p‐electrode into the light‐emitting layer, through the CFs formed in the AlN layer. In addition, using transmission electron microscopy analyses, the origin of the CFs is directly identified as the diffusion of In and Sn ions, which provides critical insight into the conduction mechanism of AlN‐based TCEs.
Emergence of New Density–Strength Scaling Law in 3D Hollow Ceramic Nanoarchitectures
Authors: Na Ye‐eun , Shin Dahye , Kim Kisun , Ahn Changui , Jeon Seokwoo , Jang Dongchan
Published: October 2018

Density–strength tradeoff appears to be an inherent limitation for most materials and therefore design of cell topology that mitigates strength decrease with density reduction has been a long‐lasting engineering pursue for porous materials. Continuum‐mechanics‐based analyses of mechanical responses of conventional porous materials with bending‐dominated structures often give the density–strength scaling law following the power‐law relationship with an exponent of 1.5 or higher, which consequentially determines the upper bound of the specific strength for a material to reach. In this work, a new design criterion capable of significantly abating strength degradation in lightweight materials is presented, by successfully combining the size‐induced strengthening effect in nanomaterials with the architectural design of cellular porous materials. Hollow‐tube‐based 3D ceramic nanoarchitectures satisfying such criterion are fabricated in large area using proximity field nano‐patterning and atomic layer deposition. Experimental data from micropillar compression confirm that the strengths of these nanoarchitectural materials scale with relative densities with a power‐law exponent of 0.93, a hardly observable value in conventional bending‐dominated porous materials. This discovery of a new density–strength scaling law in nanoarchitectured materials will contribute to creating new lightweight structural materials attaining unprecedented specific strengths overcoming the conventional limit.
Radiofrequency‐Triggered Drug Release from Nanoliposomes with Millimeter‐Scale Resolution Using a Superimposed Static Gating Field
Authors: Liu Jessica F. , Neel Nishant , Dang Phillip , Lamb Max , McKenna Jaime , Rodgers Lauren , Litt Brian , Cheng Zhiliang , Tsourkas Andrew , Issadore David
Published: October 2018

Drug delivery to a specific site in the body typically relies on the use of targeting agents that recognize a unique biomarker. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to identify unique molecular signatures that exist only at the site of interest. An alternative strategy is to deliver energy (e.g., light) to locally trigger release from a drug carrier; however, the use of this approach is limited because energy delivery to deep tissues is often impractical or invasive. In this work, radiofrequency‐responsive superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) are used to trigger drug release from nanoscale vesicles. Because the body is inherently nonmagnetic, this approach allows for deep tissue targeting. To overcome the unfavorable meter‐scale diffraction limit of SPION‐compatible radiofrequency (RF) fields, a strong static gating field containing a sharp zero point is superimposed on the RF field. Only drug carriers that are at or near the zero point are susceptible to RF‐triggered drug release, thereby localizing drug delivery with millimeter‐scale resolution. This approach induces >40% drug release from thermally responsive doxorubicin‐loaded liposomes within a 3.2 mm radius of the zero point with <10% release in the surrounding area, leading to a >2.5 therapeutic index in Huh 7 hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
Single or Double: Which Is the Altar of Atomic Catalysts for Nitrogen Reduction Reaction?
Authors: Chen Zhi Wen , Yan Jun‐Min , Jiang Qing
Published: October 2018

Converting N2 to NH3 is an extremely valuable process but a long‐standing challenge in chemistry. The crux is the choice of catalysts, where single atomic catalysts (SAC) are always pursued as the altar of atomic catalysts. In this paper, double atomic catalysts (DAC) of TM2‐C2N with SAC of TM‐C2N (TM = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni) for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) are systematically compared. Unexpectedly, TM2‐C2N are more suitable than TM‐C2N as catalysts for NRR. Moreover, the Mn2‐C2N endows the highest catalytic activity with the lowest potential of −0.23 V versus RHE, which is the best among all reported calculation results for NRR under ambient conditions. As a result, a new way to design catalysts with DAC is provided.
Zinc Enrichment in In‐Plant Electrostatic Precipitator Dust Recycling by Air Classification in Converter Steelmaking
Authors: Lanzerstorfer Christof
Published: October 2018

Steelmaking in a basic oxygen furnace generates a considerable amount of dust, which is separated in a growing number of plants by dry de‐dusting systems. This dust is rich in Fe and therefore, suitable for recycling within the steel mill. Because of the elevated Zn content recycling via the sintering process is often not feasible. Therefore, several steel mills apply in‐plant dust recycling where the dust is recycled back into the furnace. Thereby, the Zn content of the dust increases steadily until the desired concentration in the dust for discharge is reached. In this procedure, the Zn atoms in the dust are circulated several times consuming energy and reduction agent for the volatilization each time. Classification experiments with basic oxygen furnace dust performed in this study show a certain dependence of the Zn concentration on the particles size. This size dependence is exploited by introducing an air classification step into the recycling process. The calculations for this novel process show that the required average number of times a Zn atom has to be volatilized and can be reduced by 35–72% depending on the underlying circumstances. Thus, the energy and reduction agent consumption required for dust recycling can be reduced substantially.
Microvesicles Secreted by Nitric Oxide-Primed Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Boost the Engraftment Potential of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
Authors: Jalnapurkar Sapana , Moirangthem Ranjita Devi , Singh Shweta , Limaye Lalita , Kale Vaijayanti
Published: October 2018

Patients with leukemia, lymphoma, severe aplastic anemia, etc. are frequently the targets of bone marrow transplantation, the success of which critically depends on efficient engraftment by transplanted hematopoietic cells (HSCs). Ex vivo manipulation of HSCs to improve their engraftment ability becomes necessary when the number or quality of donor HSCs is a limiting factor. Due to their hematopoiesis-supportive ability, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been traditionally used as feeder layers for ex vivo expansion of HSCs. MSCs form a special HSC-niche in vivo, implying that signaling mechanisms operative in them would affect HSC fate. We have recently demonstrated that AKT signaling prevailing in the MSCs affect the HSC functionality. Here we show that MSCs primed with nitric oxide donor, Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), significantly boost the engraftment potential of the HSCs co-cultured with them via intercellular transfer of microvesicles (MVs) harboring mRNAs encoding HSC-supportive genes. Our data suggest that these MVs could be used as HSC-priming agents to improve transplantation efficacy. Since both, nitric oxide donors and MSCs are already in clinical use; their application in clinical settings may be relatively straight forward. This approach could also be applied in regenerative medicine protocols. Stem Cells  2019;37:128–138
Strength and microstructural analysis of concrete incorporating ash from sunflower seed shells combustion
Authors: Grubeša Ivanka N. , Radeka Miroslava , Malešev Mirjana , Radonjanin Vlastimir , Gojević Anita , Siddique Rafat
Published: October 2018

The aim of the study involves determining the added value of shells of sunflower seeds ash (SSA) as a mineral admixture in concrete and the effects/mechanisms through which it affects the concrete microstructure. The chemical effect of this type of ash was estimated by examining its chemical composition, pozzolanic activity index, and SEM investigation while its physical effect was observed at the level of concrete with ash incorporated. Four concrete mixtures with different shares of cement replacement by ash were prepared (0, 5, 7.5, and 10%). The water to binder ratio was 0.5, and binder content 400 kg/m3 in all mixtures. The properties of fresh and hardened concrete with ash incorporated were compared with the corresponding properties of the reference concrete. The results indicate that SSA achieved all the known possible effects of mineral admixtures; filler effect, heterogonous nucleation effect, dilution effect, and a certain degree of chemical effect. However, replacing more than 5% of cement mass with SSA will adversely affect mechanical properties of concrete.
Three‐dimensional radio images of winter lightning in japan and characteristics of associated charge structure
Authors: Yoshida Satoru , Yoshikawa Eiichi , Adachi Toru , Kusunoki Kenichi , Hayashi Syugo , Inoue Hanako
Published: October 2018

We conducted lightning observational campaigns using a three‐dimensional (3D) lightning mapper called the Broadband Observation network for Lightning and Thunderstorms (BOLT) and C‐band radar to further understand the distinct characteristics of winter lightning in the coastal area of the Sea of Japan. We succeeded in locating 3D intracloud (IC) flashes, cloud‐to‐ground (CG) flashes, and upward lightning during winter. The basic characteristics of winter lightning, such as leader speeds and charge structure associated with an IC discharge, are similar to summer lightning. A noticeable difference between the winter lightning and the summer lightning is that the altitudes of the source locations associated with winter lightning are substantially lower than those associated with summer lightning. We performed a statistical comparison of winter and summer lightning. This comparison shows that the BOLT source altitude distributions during winter and summer peak at 2.1 and 7.5 km, respectively. Conversely, the distributions of the BOLT temperatures, which are the temperatures corresponding to the BOLT source altitudes, during both winter and summer show similar trends and have large values near −10 °C. These results indicate that a similar charge separation process, likely a noninductive charging mechanism, primarily contributes to thunderstorm electrification during both winter and summer. We show that the horizontal extent of the winter flashes is substantially larger than that of the summer flashes. This result implies that the charge regions in winter thunderstorms cover a wide area and, therefore, produce CG flashes with large charge transfers. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Forecasting a short‐term wind speed using a deep belief network combined with a local predictor
Authors: Yu Y. , Chen Z. M. , Li M. S. , Ji T. Y. , Wu Q. H.
Published: October 2018

This article proposes a novel wind speed forecast algorithm framework, which combines a deep belief network (DBN) and an improved Local Predictor (LP). The DBN adopted is a multiple hidden layers deep neural network consisting of restricted Boltzmann machines (RBMs) with superior performances on classification and prediction applications of a large‐scale dataset, such as wind speed data. However, it is known that the time series of wind speed under certain weather conditions have different patterns. Therefore, it is difficult to represent these patterns using a single model. Thus, a data‐filtering technique based on phase space reconstruction, LP, is used to embed one‐dimension high‐variance time series to a high dimensional space, and to select the training samples having the same pattern as the forecast sample. Therefore, a DBN with a Local Predictor (DBNLP) can be applied to forecast the wind speed using large‐scale training samples, which provides more reliable forecast results. In the experimental studies, the proposed algorithm is evaluated on the wind speed data collected from AIMS weather station in Australia. The forecast performance is compared with the commonly used predictors, including Auto‐Regressive Moving Average (ARMA), Support Vector Machines (SVMs), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), respectively. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm exhibits a better performance than the other algorithms under various forecast steps. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An iterative method for detection of the collusive strategy in prisoner's dilemma game of electricity market
Authors: Mohtavipour Seyed Saeid , Zideh Mehdi Jabbari
Published: October 2018

The aim of this article is to present a method, which is called the ‘iterative collusive strategy (CS) search method’, to detect the CS in prisoner's dilemma game in which there is collusive equilibrium. We apply this method to an example of two‐player prisoner's dilemma game and a numerical duopoly example to show its effectiveness. To simulate the electricity market models, we use this method with a local optimization algorithm. Then, we employ a hybrid technique by applying an agent‐based model to the iterative CS search method for improving the results and speeding up their convergence. We simulate an electricity market example with transmission constraint to test the effectiveness of local and hybrid iterative CS search methods. Simulation results show that both local and hybrid iterative CS search methods could successfully identify the CS; however, the hybrid iterative CS search method converges to the final results with less iteration numbers. © 2018 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Using time series simulation tools for assessing the effects of variable renewable energy generation on power and energy systems
Authors: Koivisto Matti , Das Kaushik , Guo Feng , Sørensen Poul , Nuño Edgar , Cutululis Nicolaos , Maule Petr
Published: October 2018

The increasing share of variable renewable energy (VRE) generation poses challenges to power systems. Possible challenges include adequacy of reserves, planning and operation of power systems, and interconnection expansion studies in future power systems with very different generation patterns compared to today. To meet these challenges, there is a need to develop models and tools to analyze the variability and uncertainty in VRE generation. To address the varied needs, the tools should be versatile and applicable to different geographical and temporal scales. Time series simulation tools can be used to model both today and future scenarios with varying VRE installations. Correlations in Renewable Energy Sources (CorRES) is a simulation tool developed at Technical University of Denmark, Department of Wind Energy capable of simulating both wind and solar generation. It uses a unique combination of meteorological time series and stochastic simulations to provide consistent VRE generation and forecast error time series with temporal resolution in the minute scale. Such simulated VRE time series can be used in addressing the challenges posed by the increasing share of VRE generation. These capabilities will be demonstrated through three case studies: one about the use of large‐scale VRE generation simulations in energy system analysis, and two about the use of the simulations in power system operation, planning, and analysis.

This article is categorized under:

Wind Power > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy Infrastructure > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy Systems Economics > Systems and Infrastructure
Delusional Beliefs in the Clinical Context
Authors: Upthegrove Rachel , A. S.
Published: October 2018

Delusional beliefs are key symptoms of mental illness, and physicians over hundreds of years have attempted to understand and offer treatments for patients with such beliefs. In this chapter, the authors will explore the experience of delusional beliefs within the clinical context: i.e. with people who present to mental health services for help. The authors begin with definition of the descriptive psychopathology, prevalence and context in which delusional beliefs occur and their clinical relevance. Delusional beliefs have a core role in distress, depression and risk within psychosis. Real examples will be used to reflect on both the form delusional beliefs take and their personal content, concluding with treatment options and challenges.
Delusions and Other Beliefs
Authors: Bentall Richard P.
Published: October 2018

The difficulty of distinguishing between delusions and non-pathological beliefs has taxed some of the greatest minds in psychiatry. This chapter argues that this question cannot be resolved without first having an understanding of what is involved in holding an ordinary belief. Although we should not assume that ordinary-language words such as ‘belief’ will correspond with a specific psychological mechanism or process, sufficient evidence is available from diverse areas of psychology to reach some conclusions about what happens when someone ‘believes’ something. Beliefs are propositions about the world that are generated dynamically, often during interactions with other people, and therefore depend on the human capacity for language. Although many beliefs are mundane, it is possible to identify a class of master interpretive systems that includes political ideologies and religious belief systems, which are highly resistant to challenge and capable of generating considerable emotion. These systems seem to depend not only on the ability to generate propositions about the world but also on implicit cognitive processes that are related to fundamental biological and social needs, for example the need to avoid contagion, the need to form close intimate relationships or the need to avoid out-groups. Delusions share many of the properties of master interpretive systems but differ because they are idiosyncratic. They may arise when individuals are very isolated or if they lack the cognitive tools to function effectively in groups. Further progress in understanding delusions is likely to be made if research is informed by findings from political psychology and the psychology of religion.
Transverse momentum spectra at threshold for groomed heavy quark jets
Authors: Makris Yiannis , Vaidya Varun
Published: October 2018

Abstract

We present the transverse momentum spectrum for a heavy hadron at threshold in a groomed jet initiated by a heavy quark. The cross section is doubly differential in the energy fraction of an identified heavy hadron in the jet and its transverse momentum measured with respect to the groomed (recoil free) jet axis. The grooming is implemented using a soft-drop grooming algorithm and helps us in mitigating the effects of Non-Global logarithms and pile up. For the particular case of a B meson, we identify two distinct regimes of the transverse momentum spectrum and develop an EFT within the formalisms of Soft Collinear Effective Theory (SCET) and Heavy Quark Effective Theory (HQET) for each of these regions. We show how each region can be matched smoothly into the other to provide a prediction for the perturbative transverse momentum spectrum. The EFT also predicts the scaling behavior of the leading non-perturbative power corrections and implements a simple shape function to account for hadronization. We work in the threshold region where the heavy hadron carries most of the energy of the jet since in this regime, we have a very good discriminating power between heavy quark and gluon initiated jets. We observe that the shape of the spectrum is independent of the energy of the jet over a large range of transverse momentum. We propose that this spectrum can be used as a probe of evolution for heavy quark TMD fragmentation function. At the same time, it can be treated as a jet substructure observable for probing Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP).
Veneziano amplitude of Vasiliev theory
Authors: Turiaci Gustavo J. , Zhiboedov Alexander
Published: October 2018

Abstract

We compute the four-point function of scalar operators in CFTs with weakly broken higher spin symmetry at arbitrary ’t Hooft coupling. We use the known three-point functions in these theories, the Lorentzian OPE inversion formula and crossing to fix the result up to the addition of three functions of the cross ratios. These are given by contact Witten diagrams in AdS and manifest non-analyticity of the OPE data in spin. We use Schwinger-Dyson equations to provide strong numerical evidence that such terms are absent in the large N Chern-Simons matter theories. The result is that the OPE data is analytic in spin up to J = 0.
Emergent gravity from relatively local Hamiltonians and a possible resolution of the black hole information puzzle
Authors: Lee Sung-Sik
Published: October 2018

Abstract

In this paper, we study a possibility where gravity and time emerge from quantum matter. Within the Hilbert space of matter fields defined on a spatial manifold, we consider a sub-Hilbert space spanned by states which are parameterized by spatial metric. In those states, metric is introduced as a collective variable that controls local structures of entanglement. The underlying matter fields endow the states labeled by metric with an unambiguous inner product. Then we construct a Hamiltonian for the matter fields that is an endomorphism of the sub-Hilbert space, thereby inducing a quantum Hamiltonian of the metric. It is shown that there exists a matter Hamiltonian that induces the general relativity in the semi-classical field theory limit. Although the Hamiltonian is not local in the absolute sense, it has a weaker notion of locality, calledrelative locality: the range of interactions is set by the entanglement present in target states on which the Hamiltonian acts. In general, normalizable states are not invariant under the transformations generated by the Hamiltonian. As a result, a physical state spontaneously breaks the Hamiltonian constraint, and picks a moment of time. The subsequent flow of time can be understood as a Goldstone mode associated with the broken symmetry. The construction allows one to study dynamics of gravity from the perspective of matter fields. The Hawking radiation corresponds to a unitary evolution where entanglement across horizon is gradually transferred from color degrees of freedom to singlet degrees of freedom. The underlying quantum states remain pure as evaporating black holes keep entanglement with early Hawking radiations in the singlet sector which is not captured by the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy.
Geochemical Evidences for Possible Absence of Cu-Sulfide Deposits in the Deccan Volcanic Province, India
Authors: Laxman More B. , Kumar K. Vijaya
Published: October 2018

Continental flood basalt provinces (CFBs) are important hosts for large-scale Cu-sulfide deposits. However, sulfide mineralization is yet to be discovered, if any, in the end-Cretaceous Deccan volcanic province, India. In the present study, geochemical evidences for the possible absence of Cu-sulfide deposits associated with the Deccan basalts by analyzing and comparing the geochemistries of the Deccan and Siberian CFBs are provided. The Fe-rich nature and high fO2 conditions did not favour sulfide saturation at any stage of magma evolution in the Deccan province. Crustal contamination of the Deccan magmas also did not increase the sulfur budget. The most contaminated basalts of Bushe and Poladpur formations of the Deccan province do not show any depletion in the copper contents compared to other formations. In the absence of sulfide saturation, copper behaved as an incompatible element in the Deccan magmas in contrast to the Siberian basalts, in which copper behaved as a compatible element during magma evolution due to sulfide saturation consequently formed world-class copper sulfide deposits. It is demonstrated that the lithosphere- and asthenosphere-derived Deccan magmas have similar Cu abundances thereby suggesting that the Cu-sulfide deposits associated with the CFBs are process-controlled rather than source-controlled. Although Cu-sulfide deposits may not have formed, the geochemical patterns suggest favourable conditions for native copper mineralization in the Deccan volcanic province. In the present study, a set of geochemical proxies that can be utilized as preliminary exploration tools for Cu-sulfide mineralization in the CFBs is proposed.
Evidences of CO2 Leakage During the Last Deglaciation: The Need to Understand Deep-ocean Carbonate Chemistry of the Arabian Sea
Authors: Naik Smita N. , Naik Sushant S.
Published: October 2018

It is generally accepted view that the ventilation of Southern Ocean during the last deglaciation was the key factor in atmospheric CO2 rise. Further, other sites were identified, like the western equatorial Pacific, the Sub-Antarctic Atlantic and the eastern equatorial Pacific. Now there are evidences that CO2 was also released from the eastern Arabian Sea. The Arabian Sea is unique in characteristic, being land locked from the North and affected by monsoon winds and seasonal reversing circulations. Furthermore, the CO2 outgassing noticed during deglaciation makes it an interesting region to understand if the outgassing occurred from the deeper waters and hence led to any rise in deep-water [CO32−].
Evaluation of Organic Matter, Hydrocarbon Source, and Depositional Environment of Onshore Warkalli Sedimentary Sequence from Kerala-Konkan Basin, South India
Authors: Mathews Runcie P. , Singh Bhagwan D. , Singh Vikram P.
Published: October 2018

Multidisciplinary analysis of the carbonaceous sediments of Warkalli Formation (Mio-Pliocene) from the Warkalli cliff section has been done to assess the source of organic matter, palaeo-depositional settings and the hydrocarbon potential. The n-alkane distribution from n-C12 to n-C33 along with bimodal distribution indicates significant organic matter contribution from microbial activity and higher plants. The contribution from angiosperm source vegetation is indicated by the oleanane type of triterpenoids. The hopanes distribution indicates the immature stage of the organic matter, which is in agreement with the Tmax (av. 401 °C) and huminite reflectance (av. 0.28% Rr) values. The total organic carbon (TOC) contents vary between 0.8 and 6.72 wt. % in the studied sediments. Hydrogen index and oxygen index values range from 16 to106 mg HC/g TOC, and 113 to 344 mg CO2/g TOC, respectively. The maceral content is low, being dominated by the detrohuminite submaceral and the mineral matter accounts for 68 to 77% of the total composition. The phytoclast group (63-87%) is dominant with subordinate amorphous organic matter (4-35%). The study shows that the sediments were deposited in a marginal suboxic basin with intermittent variations. All the parameters unequivocally suggest that the studied sequence holds the potential to generate gaseous hydrocarbons.