bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Land, Wood, Water, and Space: Senator Robert S. Kerr, Congress, and Selling the Space Race to the American Public
Authors: Hayden Jessica M. , Geras Matthew J. , Gerth Nathan M. , Crespin Michael H.
Published: December 2017

Objective

We examine the contribution Sen. Robert S. Kerr (D‐OK) made in promoting NASA and space exploration to Oklahoma and the general public while serving as chair of the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences.

Methods

Using newspaper articles as well as speeches and press releases from the archival papers of Robert S. Kerr, we estimate a topic model to uncover the dimensions of debate concerning space. We also use the communications from Kerr's office to provide substantiation and context to the way the senator promoted space in Oklahoma and elsewhere.

Results

We find that contrary to the conventional wisdom, Cold War concerns about national security and primacy were not all that fueled arguments for pursuing space technology. We demonstrate here that particularized benefits, state‐level leadership, economic development, and technological advancements were all used to “sell space” during NASA's infancy.

Conclusion

While it is easy to give credit to the executive for achieving national goals, it is almost impossible to get to the desired outcomes without buy‐in from the legislature. In turn, this means members of Congress need to sell the policy to constituents back home.
Cryptosporidiosis in a transplant recipient with severe intractable diarrhea: Detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts by intestinal biopsies
Authors: Kagawa Kumiko , Fujino Hikaru , Miki Hirokazu , Sogabe Kimiko , Takahashi Mamiko , Maruhashi Tomoko , Udaka Kengo , Iwasa Masami , Fujii Shiro , Nakamura Shingen , Abe Masahiro
Published: December 2017

Disseminated Cryptosporidium infection results in manifestations similar to those of graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), which hampers the detection of Cryptosporidium infection after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Surveillance of oocysts on the surface of intestinal epithelial cells is needed for early and appropriate detection of Cryptosporidium infection in transplant recipients on immunosuppressants with severe intractable diarrhea. We present the first case of Cryptosporidium meleagridis infection in Japan after allogeneic cord blood transplantation.
Early post‐transplant diagnosis of cytomegalovirus esophagitis in an ABO‐incompatible kidney transplant recipients: A case report
Authors: Yazawa Masahiko , Sasaki Hideo , Sakurai Yuko , Kudo Hiroya , Nakazawa Ryuto , Chikaraishi Tatsuya , Shibagaki Yugo
Published: December 2017

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common infectious pathogen in kidney transplant patients. Here, we present a case of CMV esophagitis with antigenemia, that developed within 3 days of kidney transplantation, a timeline generally considered to be too early for development of a CMV infection. Intense immunosuppressive therapy for desensitization in ABO‐incompatibility or in the presence of donor‐specific antibody can increase the risk for significant opportunistic infection immediately after or even before transplantation.
Tick‐borne illness after transplantation: Case and review
Authors: Mascarenhas Tresa Reena , Silibovsky Randi S. , Singh Pooja , Belden Katherine A.
Published: December 2017

Tick‐borne infections in solid organ transplant recipients are an infrequent and difficult diagnostic challenge owing to multiple routes of acquisition and unusual presentations. A 67‐year‐old male recipient of a combined liver and kidney transplant presented with recurrent fevers following surgery. Standard microbiologic workup was non‐diagnostic. Shortness of breath, confusion, lethargy, and hypotension developed along with progressive anemia, requiring multiple blood transfusions. Workup suggested hemolysis and review of the peripheral smear was diagnostic for Babesia microti infection. Tick transmission, transmission via blood products, and/or the transplanted organ were all considered. More extensive questioning revealed a history of intermittent fevers for several months before transplantation. Testing of pre‐transplant blood was positive for B. microti antibodies, suggesting infection prior to transplantation. The delayed diagnosis of babesiosis in this patient highlights the need for a detailed exposure history prior to transplantation, as well as considering the potential for atypical presentations of tick‐borne infections in immune suppressed solid organ recipients. Furthermore, this case illustrates the importance of early Infectious Disease consultation to meet the challenges exhibited by febrile transplant patients. Infectious Diseases physicians are trained to consider, diagnose, and treat tick‐borne infections, contributing to improved clinical outcome.
A study of human neutrophil antigen genotype frequencies in Hong Kong
Authors: Tam K. , Tang I. , Ho J. , Yeung W. , Lee C. K. , Ip P. , Kwok J.
Published: December 2017

Background

Alloantibodies against human neutrophil antigens (HNA) are associated with a variety of clinical conditions. Over the past decade, the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the five HNA systems have been evaluated. Although the HNA system is less polymorphic than human leukocyte antigens (HLA), significant differences in the genotypic and allele frequencies still exist in different populations, even those living in close proximity.

Objectives

To delineate HNA genotypic and allele frequencies to provide vital information on estimating the risk of HNA‐associated diseases for our local population.

Methods

Using a validated, in‐house‐developed assay, genotyping for HNA‐1, HNA‐3, HLA‐4 and HNA‐5 was performed on 300 samples from Chinese blood donors from Hong Kong. In addition, the frequency of the HNA‐2 c.843A > T allele was also determined.

Results

The allele frequencies of HNA‐1a, ‐1b and ‐1c alleles were 67·8, 31·5 and 0%, respectively, whereas the frequencies of HNA‐3a and HNA‐3b were 71·0 and 29·0%, respectively. The frequencies of HNA‐4a and ‐4b alleles were 99·5 and 0·5%, respectively, and for HNA‐5a and ‐5b, alleles were 85·2 and 14·8%, respectively. Homozygotes for the HNA‐2 c.843 TT variant were absent in our population, whereas only <4% of the population were c.843AT heterozygote carriers.

Conclusions

This is the first study to define HNA genotype and allele frequencies using a validated modified in‐house PCR‐SSP method in the Hong Kong Chinese blood donor population. Our approach provides a cost‐effective assay for conducting routine HNA typing and facilitates the incorporation of these assays into routine clinical service. Our results are comparable with those reported in the Guangzhou Chinese population, but the allele frequencies in our Hong Kong Chinese population are significantly different from the reported European frequencies, confirming that a geographical difference exists for HNA allele frequencies.
Parallel adaptations and common host cell responses enabling feeding of obligate and facultative plant parasitic nematodes
Authors: Smant Geert , Helder Johannes , Goverse Aska
Published: December 2017

Parallel adaptations enabling the use of plant cells as the primary food source have occurred multiple times in distinct nematode clades. The hallmark of all extant obligate and facultative plant‐feeding nematodes is the presence of an oral stylet, which is required for penetration of plant cell walls, delivery of pharyngeal gland secretions into host cells and selective uptake of plant assimilates. Plant parasites from different clades, and even within a single clade, display a large diversity in feeding behaviours ranging from short feeding cycles on single cells to prolonged feeding on highly sophisticated host cell complexes. Despite these differences, feeding of nematodes frequently (but certainly not always) induces common responses in host cells (e.g. endopolyploidization and cellular hypertrophy). It is thought that these host cell responses are brought about by the interplay of effectors and other biological active compounds in stylet secretions of feeding nematodes, but this has only been studied for the most advanced sedentary plant parasites. In fact, these responses are thought to be fundamental for prolonged feeding of sedentary plant parasites on host cells. However, as we discuss in this review, some of these common plant responses to independent lineages of plant parasitic nematodes might also be generic reactions to cell stress and as such their onset may not require specific inputs from plant parasitic nematodes. Sedentary plant parasitic nematodes may utilize effectors and their ability to synthesize other biologically active compounds to tailor these common responses for prolonged feeding on host cells.
Associated factors of umbilical cord blood collection quality
Authors: Faivre Lionel , Couzin Chloé , Boucher Hélène , Domet Thomas , Desproges André , Sibony Olivier , Bechard Marina , Vanneaux Valérie , Larghero Jérôme , Cras Audrey
Published: December 2017

After 30 years of hematopoietic stem cell use for various indications, umbilical cord blood is considered as an established source of cells with marrow and postmobilization peripheral blood. The limited number of cells still remains a problematic element restricting their use, especially in adults who require to be grafted with a higher cell number. Improving the quality of harvested cord blood, at least in terms of volume and amount of cells, is essential to decrease the number of discarded units. In this review, we examine several variables related to parturient, pregnancy, labor, delivery, collection, the newborn, umbilical cord, and placenta. We aim to understand the biologic mechanisms that can impact cord blood quality. This knowledge will ultimately allow targeting donors, which could provide a rich graft and improve the efficiency of the collection.
Shift of allelochemicals from Sorghum halepense in the soil and their effects on the soil's bacterial community
Authors: Huang Hongjuan , Wang Huimin , Vivanco Jorge M. , Wei Shouhui , Wu Wenlong , Zhang Chaoxian
Published: December 2017

Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense [L.]Pers.), an exotic invasive weed in China, secretes the phenolic compounds, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (p‐HBA) and p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde (p‐HBAL), as the dominant allelochemicals in the root exudates. To better understand how these two allelochemicals affect the soil microbial community in the rhizosphere of S. halepense, the fate of these compounds in the invaded soil and the effect of these phytotoxins on the soil bacterial community were evaluated. The concentrations of the allelochemicals in the soil were determined by a high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet/photodiode array after 1, 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 h of treatment. MiSeq sequencing was undertaken to understand how the bacterial populations in the soil were affected by the allelochemicals. The HPLC results indicated that p‐HBA was degraded by the microorganisms that were present in the soil after 1 h and disappeared after 6 h of incubation. The compound, p‐HBAL, initially was converted to p‐HBA and then the p‐HBA broke down, disappearing after 12 h of incubation in non‐sterile soil. Both p‐HBA and p‐HBAL were stable under sterile soil conditions for up to 24 h. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly inhibited. However, those of Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Verrucomicrobia and Cyanobacteria were increased by the p‐HBAL treatment. These findings suggest that allelochemicals from S. halepense might affect the bacterial community composition in the soil.
Bidirectional modulation of glutamatergic synaptic transmission by metabotropic glutamate type 7 receptors at Schaffer collateral–CA1 hippocampal synapses
Authors: Martín Ricardo , Ferrero José Javier , Collado‐Alsina Andrea , Aguado Carolina , Luján Rafael , Torres Magdalena , Sánchez‐Prieto José
Published: December 2017

Key points

Neurotransmitter release is inhibited by metabotropic glutamate type 7 (mGlu7) receptors that reduce Ca2+ influx, yet synapses lacking this receptor also produce weaker release, suggesting that mGlu7 receptors may also prime synaptic vesicles for release. Prolonged activation of mGlu7 receptors with the agonist l‐AP4 first reduces and then enhances the amplitude of EPSCs through a presynaptic effect.

The inhibitory response is blocked by pertussis toxin, while the potentiating response is prevented by a phospholipase C inhibitor (U73122) and an inhibitor of diacylglycerol (DAG) binding (calphostin C), suggesting that this receptor also couples to pathways that generate DAG.

Release potentiation is associated with an increase in the number of synaptic vesicles close to the plasma membrane, which was dependent on the Munc13‐2 and RIM1α proteins. The Glu7 receptors activated by the glutamate released following high frequency stimulation provoke a bidirectional modulation of synaptic transmission.

Neurotransmitter release is driven by Ca2+ influx at synaptic boutons that acts on synaptic vesicles ready to undergo exocytosis. Neurotransmitter release is inhibited when metabotropic glutamate type 7 (mGlu7) receptors provoke a reduction in Ca2+ influx, although the reduced release from synapses lacking this receptor suggests that they may also prime synaptic vesicles for release. These mGlu7 receptors activate phospholipase C (PLC) and generate inositol trisphosphate, which in turn releases Ca2+ from intracellular stores and produces diacylglycerol (DAG), an activator of proteins containing DAG‐binding domains such as Munc13 and protein kinase C (PKC). However, the full effects of mGlu7 receptor signalling on synaptic transmission are unclear. We found that prolonged activation of mGlu7 receptors with the agonist l‐AP4 first reduces and then enhances the amplitude of EPSCs, a presynaptic effect that changes the frequency but not the amplitude of the mEPSCs and the paired pulse ratio. Pertussis toxin blocks the inhibitory response, while the PLC inhibitor U73122, and the inhibitor of DAG binding calphostin C, prevent receptor mediated potentiation. Moreover, this DAG‐dependent potentiation of the release machinery brings more synaptic vesicles closer to the active zone plasma membrane in a Munc13‐2‐ and RIM1α‐dependent manner. Electrically evoked release of glutamate that activates mGlu7 receptors also bidirectionally modulates synaptic transmission. In these conditions, potentiation now occurs rapidly and it overcomes any inhibition, such that potentiation prevails unless it is suppressed with the PLC inhibitor U73122.
Pulsing corals: A story of scale and mixing
Authors: Samson Julia E. , Battista Nicholas A. , Khatri Shilpa , Miller Laura A.
Published: December 2017

Effective methods of fluid transport vary across scale. A commonly used dimensionless number for quantifying the effective scale of fluid transport is the frequency based Reynolds number, Re, which gives the ratio of inertial to viscous forces in a fluid flow. What may work well for one Re regime may not produce significant flows for another. These differences in scale have implications for many organisms, ranging from the mechanics of how organisms move through their fluid environment to how hearts pump at various stages in development. Some organisms, such as soft pulsing corals, actively contract their tentacles to generate mixing currents that enhance photosynthesis. Their unique morphology and the intermediate Re regime at which they function, where both viscous and inertial forces are significant, make them a unique model organism for understanding fluid mixing. In this paper, 3D fluid-structure interaction simulations of a pulsing soft coral are used to quantify fluid transport and describe fluid mixing across a wide range of Re. The results show that net transport is negligible for Re<10, and continuous upward flow is produced for Reв‰Ґ10. Sustained net transport is necessary to bring in new fluid for sampling and to remove waste. As the Re is increased well above 10, the slow region of mixing necessary for gas exchange between the tentacles is reduced. Since corals live at Re between about 8 and 36, the flows they produce are defined by sustained net transport of fluid away from the coral in a continuous upward jet and a slow region of mixing between the tentacles necessary for gas exchange.Supplementary material:1.В Movie of velocity and vorticity of flow field around pulsing coral at Re = 0.52.В Movie of velocity and vorticity of flow field around pulsing coral at Re = 103.В Movie of velocity and vorticity of flow field around pulsing coral at Re = 80В
Growth behavior and structural analysis of atomic layer deposited SnxTi1−xOy films
Authors: Chang Siliang , Takoudis Christos G.
Published: December 2017

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) of mixed oxides has attracted increasing research attention in recent years due to its excellent capability of film composition tuning. This in turn highlights the importance of understanding the underlying surface chemistry which dictates how a film of desired composition is achieved. In this work, the authors examined the ability of atomic layer deposition to precisely control the film thickness and composition by studying the growth behavior of SnxTi1−xOy thin films deposited from an alkylamide Ti(IV) precursor, a β-diketonate Sn(II) precursor, and ozone. A set of samples with various compositions were deposited by controlling the ALD cycle ratio (ALDCR) of tin oxide/titanium oxide using our custom-built, warm-wall reactor. Both alloy- and laminate-type of growths were attempted by changing numbers of ALD subcycles while maintaining the cycle ratio. Growth rates, calculated based on the thicknesses measured by spectroscopic ellipsometery and x-ray reflectivity, showed a deviating pattern from that of linear interpolation using binary ALD processes, marked by an almost constant ∼0.06 nm/cycle. Film composition, determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, exhibited a concave upward dependence on ALDCR. The chemisorption density of each precursor was determined by x-ray reflectivity, and a linearly ALDCR-dependent decrease was observed. Structural analysis using x-ray diffraction showed a transition from anatase to SnO2 rutile when Sn content in the film was varied from 0 to 1, for O2 annealed samples. At ∼17 at. % Sn, a mixture of anatase and rutile phases was found. Other factors, such as surface roughness and surface chemical species, were examined in the attempt to account for the decreased chemisorption.
Electron-enhanced atomic layer deposition of silicon thin films at room temperature
Authors: Sprenger Jaclyn K. , Sun Huaxing , Cavanagh Andrew S. , George Steven M.
Published: December 2017

Silicon thin films were deposited at room temperature with electron-enhanced atomic layer deposition (EE-ALD) using sequential exposures of disilane (Si2H6) and electrons. EE-ALD promotes silicon film growth through hydrogen electron stimulated desorption (ESD) that creates reactive dangling bonds and facilitates Si2H6 adsorption at low temperatures. Without hydrogen ESD, silicon growth relies on thermal pathways for H2 desorption and dangling bond formation at much higher temperatures. An electron flood gun was utilized to deposit Si films over areas of ∼1 cm2 on oxide-capped Si(111) substrates. The silicon film thickness was monitored in situ with a multiwavelength ellipsometer. A threshold electron energy of ∼25 eV was observed for the Si film growth. A maximum growth rate of ∼0.3 Å/cycle was measured at electron energies of 100–150 eV. This growth rate is close to the anticipated growth rate assuming dissociative Si2H6 adsorption on dangling bonds on representative single-crystal silicon surfaces. The Si growth rate also displayed self-limiting behavior as expected for an ALD process. The silicon growth rate was self-limiting at larger Si2H6 pressures for a fixed exposure time and at longer electron exposure times. The silicon growth rate versus electron exposure time yielded a hydrogen ESD cross section of σ = 5.8 × 10−17 cm2. Ex situ spectroscopic ellipsometry showed good conformality in thickness across the ∼1 cm2 area of the Si film. Si EE-ALD should be useful for a variety of applications.
Role of working memory and lexical knowledge in perceptual restoration of interrupted speech
Authors: Nagaraj Naveen K. , Magimairaj Beula M.
Published: December 2017

The role of working memory (WM) capacity and lexical knowledge in perceptual restoration (PR) of missing speech was investigated using the interrupted speech perception paradigm. Speech identification ability, which indexed PR, was measured using low-context sentences periodically interrupted at 1.5 Hz. PR was measured for silent gated, low-frequency speech noise filled, and low-frequency fine-structure and envelope filled interrupted conditions. WM capacity was measured using verbal and visuospatial span tasks. Lexical knowledge was assessed using both receptive vocabulary and meaning from context tests. Results showed that PR was better for speech noise filled condition than other conditions tested. Both receptive vocabulary and verbal WM capacity explained unique variance in PR for the speech noise filled condition, but were unrelated to performance in the silent gated condition. It was only receptive vocabulary that uniquely predicted PR for fine-structure and envelope filled conditions. These findings suggest that the contribution of lexical knowledge and verbal WM during PR depends crucially on the information content that replaced the silent intervals. When perceptual continuity was partially restored by filler speech noise, both lexical knowledge and verbal WM capacity facilitated PR. Importantly, for fine-structure and envelope filled interrupted conditions, lexical knowledge was crucial for PR.
Deregulated Profiles of Urinary Micrornas May Explain Podocyte Injury and Proximal Tubule Dysfunction in Normoalbuminuric Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Milas Oana , Gadalean Florica , Vlad Adrian , Dumitrascu Victor , Gluhovschi Cristina , Gluhovschi Gheorghe , Velciov Silvia , Popescu Roxana , Bob Flaviu , Matusz Petru , Pusztai Agneta-Maria , Cretu Octavian M , Secara Alina , Simulescu Anca , Ursoniu Sorin , Vlad Daliborca , Petrica Ligia
Published: December 2017

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA species that are important post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. The aim of the study was to establish a potential explanation of podocyte damage and proximal tubule (PT) dysfunction induced by deregulated miRNAs expression in the course of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). A total of 68 patients with type 2 DM and 11 healthy subjects were enrolled in a cross-sectional study and assessed concerning urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (UACR), urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosamininidase (NAG), urinary kidney injury molecule-1, urinary nephrin, podocalyxin, synaptopodin, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), urinary miRNA21, miRNA124, and miRNA192. In univariable regression analysis, miRNA21, miRNA124, and miRNA192 correlated with urinary nephrin, synaptopodin, podocalyxin, NAG, KIM-1, UACR, and eGFR. Multivariable regression analysis yielded models in which miRNA192 correlated with synaptopodin, uNAG, and eGFR (R2=0.902; P<0.0001), miRNA124 correlated with synaptopodin, uNAG, UACR, and eGFR (R2=0.881; P<0.0001), whereas miRNA21 correlated with podocalyxin, uNAG, UACR, and eGFR (R2=0.882; P<0.0001). Urinary miRNA192 expression was downregulated, while urinary miRNA21 and miRNA124 expressions were upregulated. In patients with type 2 DM, there is an association between podocyte injury and PT dysfunction, and miRNA excretion, even in the normoalbuminuria stage. This observation documents a potential role of the urinary profiles of miRNA21, miRNA124, and miRNA192 in early DN. Despite their variability across the segments of the nephron, urinary miRNAs may be considered as a reliable tool for the identification of novel biomarkers in order to characterize the genetic pattern of podocyte damage and PT dysfunction in early DN of type 2 DM.
Friedreich and dominant ataxias: quantitative differences in cerebellar dysfunction measurements
Authors: Tanguy Melac Audrey , Mariotti Caterina , Filipovic Pierucci Antoine , Giunti Paola , Arpa Javier , Boesch Sylvia , Klopstock Thomas , Müller vom Hagen Jennifer , Klockgether Thomas , Bürk Katrin , Schulz Jörg B , Reetz Kathrin , Pandolfo Massimo , Durr Alexandra , Tezenas du Montcel Sophie
Published: December 2017

Background

Sensitive outcome measures for clinical trials on cerebellar ataxias are lacking. Most cerebellar ataxias progress very slowly and quantitative measurements are required to evaluate cerebellar dysfunction.

Methods

We evaluated two scales for rating cerebellar ataxias: the Composite Cerebellar Functional Severity (CCFS) Scale and Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) and controls. We evaluated these scales for different diseases and investigated the factors governing the scores obtained. All patients were recruited prospectively.

Results

There were 383 patients with Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA), 205 patients with SCA and 168 controls. In FRDA, 31% of the variance of cerebellar signs with the CCFS and 41% of that with SARA were explained by disease duration, age at onset and the shorter abnormal repeat in the FXN gene. Increases in CCFS and SARA scores per year were lower for FRDA than for SCA (CCFS index: 0.123±0.123 per year vs 0.163±0.179, P<0.001; SARA index: 1.5±1.2 vs 1.7±1.7, P<0.001), indicating slower cerebellar dysfunction indexes for FRDA than for SCA. Patients with SCA2 had higher CCFS scores than patients with SCA1 and SCA3, but similar SARA scores.

Conclusions

Cerebellar dysfunction, as measured with the CCFS and SARA scales, was more severe in FRDA than in patients with SCA, but with lower progression indexes, within the limits of these types of indexes. Ceiling effects may occur at late stages, for both scales. The CCFS scale is rater-independent and could be used in a multicentre context, as it is simple, rapid and fully automated.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02069509.
Real-Time Closed-Loop Functional Electrical Stimulation Control of Muscle Activation with Evoked Electromyography Feedback for Spinal Cord Injured Patients
Authors: Li Zhan , Guiraud David , Andreu David , Gelis Anthony , Fattal Charles , Hayashibe Mitsuhiro
Published: December 2017

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is a neuroprosthetic technique to help restore motor function of spinal cord-injured (SCI) patients. Through delivery of electrical pulses to muscles of motor-impaired subjects, FES is able to artificially induce their muscle contractions. Evoked electromyography (eEMG) is used to record such FES-induced electrical muscle activity and presents a form of [Formula: see text]-wave. In order to monitor electrical muscle activity under stimulation and ensure safe stimulation configurations, closed-loop FES control with eEMG feedback is needed to be developed for SCI patients who lose their voluntary muscle contraction ability. This work proposes a closed-loop FES system for real-time control of muscle activation on the triceps surae and tibialis muscle groups through online modulating pulse width (PW) of electrical stimulus. Subject-specific time-variant muscle responses under FES are explicitly reflected by muscle excitation model, which is described by Hammerstein system with its input and output being, respectively, PW and eEMG. Model predictive control is adopted to compute the PW based on muscle excitation model which can online update its parameters. Four muscle activation patterns are provided as desired control references to validate the proposed closed-loop FES control paradigm. Real-time experimental results on three able-bodied subjects and five SCI patients in clinical environment show promising performances of tracking the aforementioned reference muscle activation patterns based on the proposed closed-loop FES control scheme.
DNA and DNA computation based on toehold-mediated strand displacement reactions
Authors: Guo Yijun , Wei Bing , Sun Xianbao , Yao Dongbao , Zhou Xiang , Xiao Shiyan , Liang Haojun
Published: December 2017

Other than being a carrier of the code of life deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can also be used as a kind of ideal biomaterial with good biocompatibility. The basis of DNA dynamic nanotechnology is the toehold-mediated strand displacement reactions. Utilizing the specificity and predictability of Watson–Crick base pairing, and the programmability of the base sequence of DNA, researchers can construct the molecular machine and precisely control its operation to realize various complex molecular calculations. In this paper, we reviewed the progress of DNA structure and mechanical properties in recent years, discussed the microcosmic mechanism of DNA strand replacement reaction, and introduced the latest achievements in DNA molecular computing and its application in DNA constant temperature self-assembly.
Direct determination of exciton wavefunction amplitudes by the momentum-resolved photo-electron emission experiment
Authors: Ohnishi Hiromasa , Tomita Norikazu , Nasu Keiichiro
Published: December 2017

We study conceptional problems of a photo-electron emission (PEE) process from a free exciton in insulating crystals. In this PEE process, only the electron constituting the exciton is suddenly emitted out of the crystal, while the hole constituting the exciton is still left inside and forced to be recoiled back to its original valence band. This recoil on the hole is surely reflected in the spectrum of the PEE with a statistical distribution along the momentum–energy curve of the valence band. This distribution is nothing but the square of the exciton wavefunction amplitude, since it shows how the electron and the hole are originally bound together. Thus, the momentum-resolved PEE can directly determine the exciton wavefunction. These problems are clarified, taking the [Formula: see text] and the saddle point excitons in GaAs, as typical examples. New PEE experiments are also suggested.
Role of aluminum on the physical and spectroscopic properties of chromium-doped strontium alumino borate glasses
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed Raheem , Sekhar K. Chandra , Hameed Abdul , Chary M. Narasimha , Shareefuddin Md
Published: December 2017

The glass samples were prepared in accordance with the formula: (30-x)SrO–xAl2O3–69.8B2O3–0.2Cr2O3(0 [Formula: see text]x [Formula: see text] 15 mol %) by melt quenching method. The absence of Bragg’s peaks confirmed the amorphous nature of the prepared glass samples. It was observed that the molar volume was increasing while the density is decreasing with increasing of Al2O3content. Optical absorption study was performed to evaluate the optical bandgap, oxygen packing density, ionic packing density and Urbach energies. The Racah parameters (B and C) and D[Formula: see text]/B ratio have been calculated. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra recorded in the region from 400–1600 cm[Formula: see text] at room-temperature (RT) confirmed the formation of BO3, BO4and AlO4groups upon the addition of strontium oxide as modifier. The Raman spectra of all the glasses recorded over continuous spectral range 200–1600 cm[Formula: see text] exhibited different spectral bands. The EPR spectra recorded at 9.7 GHz (X-band frequency) have four resonance signals. The signal at g [Formula: see text] 5.33 is due to Cr[Formula: see text] ion sites of rhombic symmetry and signal at g [Formula: see text] 1.97 is due to contribution from Cr[Formula: see text] and Cr[Formula: see text] ion pairs.
Adsorption of methanol molecule on graphene: Experimental results and first-principles calculations
Authors: Zhao X. W. , Tian Y. L. , Yue W. W. , Chen M. N. , Hu G. C. , Ren J. F. , Yuan X. B.
Published: December 2017

Adsorption properties of methanol molecule on graphene surface are studied both theoretically and experimentally. The adsorption geometrical structures, adsorption energies, band structures, density of states and the effective masses are obtained by means of first-principles calculations. It is found that the electronic characteristics and conductivity of graphene are sensitive to the methanol molecule adsorption. After adsorption of methanol molecule, bandgap appears. With the increasing of the adsorption distance, the bandgap, adsorption energy and effective mass of the adsorption system decreased, hence the resistivity of the system decreases gradually, these results are consistent with the experimental results. All these calculations and experiments indicate that the graphene-based sensors have a wide range of applications in detecting particular molecules.
Investigation of Sub-Coulomb barrier fusion reaction of α +40Ca in different models
Authors: Koyuncu F. , Soylu A.
Published: December 2017

In this study, microscopic nucleon–nucleon Double Folding (DF) and phenomenological potentials have been used to investigate [Formula: see text]Ca reaction observables at sub-barrier energies. In the calculations, semi-classical Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) approach has been used in order to obtain the cross-sections and reaction rates of [Formula: see text]Ca. Besides WKB approximation, we have also utilized Talys code in order to get the comparative results and find out the method differences. To estimate the reaction rates, energy-dependent cross-sections and astrophysical S-factors of [Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]Ca have been used. Herewith, differences between models and potentials have been demonstrated using the reaction rate estimates.
BISTABILITY ANALYSIS OF AN HIV MODEL WITH IMMUNE RESPONSE
Authors: WANG SHAOLI , XU FEI , RONG LIBIN
Published: December 2017

Some HIV-infected patients (the so-called post-treatment controllers) can control the virus after cessation of antiretroviral therapy. A small fraction of patients can even naturally maintain undetectable viral load without therapy (they are called elite controllers). The immune response may play an important role in viral control in these patients. In this paper, we analyze a within-host model including immune response to study the virus dynamics in HIV-infected patients. We derived two threshold values for the immune cell proliferation parameter. Below the lower immune proliferation rate, the model has a stable immune-free steady state, which predicts that patients have a high viral load. Above the higher immune proliferation rate, the model has a stable low infected steady state, which indicates that patients are under elite control. Between the two immune thresholds, the model exhibits the dynamic behavior of bistability, which suggests that patients either undergo viral rebound after treatment termination or achieve the post-treatment control. These results may explain the different virus dynamics in HIV-infected patients.
A NEW METHOD FOR CALCULATING FRACTAL DIMENSIONS OF POROUS MEDIA BASED ON PORE SIZE DISTRIBUTION
Authors: XIA YUXUAN , CAI JIANCHAO , WEI WEI , HU XIANGYUN , WANG XIN , GE XINMIN
Published: December 2017

Fractal theory has been widely used in petrophysical properties of porous rocks over several decades and determination of fractal dimensions is always the focus of researches and applications by means of fractal-based methods. In this work, a new method for calculating pore space fractal dimension and tortuosity fractal dimension of porous media is derived based on fractal capillary model assumption. The presented work establishes relationship between fractal dimensions and pore size distribution, which can be directly used to calculate the fractal dimensions. The published pore size distribution data for eight sandstone samples are used to calculate the fractal dimensions and simultaneously compared with prediction results from analytical expression. In addition, the proposed fractal dimension method is also tested through Micro-CT images of three sandstone cores, and are compared with fractal dimensions by box-counting algorithm. The test results also prove a self-similar fractal range in sandstone when excluding smaller pores.
BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEM INVOLVING THE p-LAPLACIAN ON THE SIERPIŃSKI GASKET
Authors: PRIYADARSHI AMIT , SAHU ABHILASH
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we study the following boundary value problem involving the weak [Formula: see text]-Laplacian. [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is the Sierpiński gasket in [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is its boundary, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are bounded nonnegative functions. We will show the existence of at least two nontrivial weak solutions to the above problem for a certain range of [Formula: see text] using the analysis of fibering maps on suitable subsets.
STATISTICAL PROPERTIES OF LINEAR FRACTAL INTERPOLATION FUNCTIONS FOR RANDOM DATA SETS
Authors: LUOR DAH-CHIN
Published: December 2017

Let [Formula: see text] be an integer greater than or equal to [Formula: see text] and let [Formula: see text] be numbers with [Formula: see text]. Denote that [Formula: see text] is the interval [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a set of points. Suppose that [Formula: see text] is a random perturbation of [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text], and we set [Formula: see text]. Let [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] be linear fractal interpolation functions on [Formula: see text] corresponding to the set of points [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively. The value [Formula: see text] is random for all [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we show that the expectation of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]. We also establish estimations for the variance of [Formula: see text] and the expectation of [Formula: see text].
ON QUASISYMMETRIC MINIMALITY OF HOMOGENEOUS PERFECT SETS
Authors: YANG JIAOJIAO , WU MIN , LI YANZHE
Published: December 2017

In this paper, we prove that a large class of homogeneous perfect sets of Hausdorff dimension 1 is quasisymmetrically Hausdorff minimal. We also obtain the similar result for quasisymmetrically packing minimality.
OPTIMIZATION OF TURNING PARAMETERS FOR SURFACE INTEGRITY PROPERTIES ON INCOLOY 800H SUPERALLOY USING CRYOGENICALLY TREATED MULTI-LAYER CVD COATED TOOL
Authors: PALANISAMY A. , SELVARAJ T.
Published: December 2017

In this work, an attempt has been made to optimize the process parameters on turning operation of INCOLOY 800H, with the aid of cryogenically treated (24[Formula: see text]h, 12[Formula: see text]h and untreated) multi-layer chemical vapor deposition (CVD) coated tools. The influencing factors like cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut and cryogenic treatment were selected as input parameters. Surface roughness, microhardness and material removal rate (MRR) were considered as output responses. The experimentation was planned and conducted based on Taguchi L27 standard orthogonal array (OA) with three levels and four factors. Multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods like grey relational analysis (GRA) and technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) have been used to optimize the turning parameters in this work. Similar results were obtained from these MCDM techniques. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to identify the significance of the process parameters on the responses. Experimental research proved that machining performance could be improved efficiently at cutting speed is 55[Formula: see text]m/min, feed rate is 0.06[Formula: see text]mm/rev, depth of cut is 1[Formula: see text]mm and 24[Formula: see text]h cryogenically treated tool. Tool wear was analyzed for the cutting tool machined at the optimum cutting condition with the help of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS). Dry sliding wear test was also conducted for the optimal condition. The percentage improvement in machining performances is 12.70%.
Past of a particle in an entangled state
Authors: Paneru Dilip , Cohen Eliahu
Published: December 2017

Vaidman has proposed a controversial criterion for determining the past of a single quantum particle based on the “weak trace” it leaves. We here consider more general examples of entangled systems and analyze the past of single, as well as pairs of entangled pre- and postselected particles. Systems with nontrivial time evolution are also analyzed. We argue that in these cases, examining only the single-particle weak trace provides information which is insufficient for understanding the system as a whole. We therefore suggest to examine, alongside with the past of single particles, also the past of pairs, triplets and eventually the entire system, including higher-order, multipartite traces in the analysis. This resonates with a recently proposed top-down approach by Aharonov, Cohen and Tollaksen for understanding the structure of correlations in pre- and postselected systems.
ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN, ANYTIME: THE IMPACT OF CONFLICT ON WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN PAKISTAN
Authors: MUHAMMAD NOOR , WARREN LORRAINE , BINTE-SALEEM SANIA
Published: December 2017

This study explores the constraints on women entrepreneurs running SMEs in conflict zones. The research is carried out in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), a conflict affected province in Pakistan close to the border of Afghanistan. The findings reveal that women in the region are in a complex family situation exacerbated by terrorism, which has created stress, depression and fear of failure. Better understanding of their circumstances may aid those seeking to help such businesses in Pakistan and other regions beset by conflict.
On the Influence of Contextual Features for the Identification of Complex Words
Authors: Davoodi Elnaz , Kosseim Leila , Mongrain Matthew
Published: December 2017

This paper evaluates the effect of the context of a target word on the identification of complex words in natural language texts. The approach automatically tags words as either complex or not, based on two sets of features: base features that only pertain to the target word, and contextual features that take the context of the target word into account. We experimented with several supervised machine learning models, and trained and tested the approach with the 2016 SemEval Word Complexity Data Set. Results show that when discriminating base features are used, the words around the target word can supplement those features and improve the recognition of complex words.
On the zeroth-order general Randić index, variable sum exdeg index and trees having vertices with prescribed degree
Authors: Khalid Sohaib , Ali Akbar
Published: December 2017

The zeroth-order general Randić index (usually denoted by [Formula: see text]) and variable sum exdeg index (denoted by [Formula: see text]) of a graph [Formula: see text] are defined as [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], respectively, where [Formula: see text] is degree of the vertex [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] is a positive real number different from 1 and [Formula: see text] is a real number other than [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. A segment of a tree is a path [Formula: see text], whose terminal vertices are branching or/and pendent, and all non-terminal vertices (if exist) of [Formula: see text] have degree 2. For [Formula: see text], let [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] be the collections of all [Formula: see text]-vertex trees having [Formula: see text] pendent vertices, [Formula: see text] segments, [Formula: see text] branching vertices, respectively. In this paper, all the trees with extremum (maximum and minimum) zeroth-order general Randić index and variable sum exdeg index are determined from the collections [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. The obtained extremal trees for the collection [Formula: see text] are also extremal trees for the collection of all [Formula: see text]-vertex trees having fixed number of vertices with degree 2 (because the number of segments of a tree [Formula: see text] can be determined from the number of vertices of [Formula: see text] having degree 2 and vice versa).
The Explanatory Power of Order Imbalance Measures
Authors: Johnson B. Hardy , Watson Ethan D.
Published: December 2017

In modern markets, limit order traders can no longer be characterized as passive traders, which has led some researchers to argue that limit orders, rather than trades, are the informational unit in today’s markets. If this is true, measures such as order imbalance, which uses signed trades and captures the information from liquidity demanders, may not be as valid as they once were. We calculate two measures of limit order imbalance and examine the relation between limit order imbalances and returns. We find evidence that limit order imbalances explain returns, but conclude that traditional order imbalance has more explanatory power. Thus, our results suggest that limit orders have not trumped trades as the informational unit in today’s markets.
The Economics of Agricultural Groundwater Management Institutions: The Case of California
Authors: Sears Louis , Lim David , Lawell C.-Y. Cynthia Lin
Published: December 2017

The sustainable management of groundwater resources for use in agriculture is a critical issue in California and globally. Many of the world’s most productive agricultural basins depend on groundwater and have experienced declines in water table levels. The food consumers eat, the farmers who produce that food, and the local economies supporting that production are all affected by the availability of groundwater. Increasing competition for water from cities and environmental needs, as well as concerns about future climate variability and more frequent droughts, has caused policy-makers to look for ways to decrease the consumptive use of water. When designing groundwater management policies and institutions, it is important to consider any possible perverse consequences from the policy. In this paper, we discuss the economics of sustainable agricultural groundwater management institutions, including the possible perverse consequences of incentive-based agricultural groundwater conservation programs; the importance of dynamic management, conjunctive management, and spatial management; and property rights.
Expression of CTGF/CCN2 in response to LPA is stimulated by fibrotic extracellular matrix via the integrin/FAK axis
Authors: Riquelme-Guzmán Camilo , Contreras Osvaldo , Brandan Enrique
Published: December 2017

Fibrosis is a common feature of several chronic diseases and is characterized by exacerbated accumulation of ECM. An understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of this condition is crucial for designing efficient treatments for those pathologies. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is a pleiotropic protein with strong profibrotic activity. In this report, we present experimental evidence showing that ECM stimulates the synthesis of CTGF in response to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA).The integrin/focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathway mediates this effect, since CTGF expression is abolished by the use of the Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser peptide and also by an inhibitor of FAK autophosphorylation at tyrosine 397. Cilengitide, a specific inhibitor of αv integrins, inhibits the expression of CTGF mediated by LPA or transforming growth factor β1. We show that ECM obtained from decellularized myofibroblast cultures or derived from activated fibroblasts from muscles of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse model ( mdx) induces the expression of CTGF. This effect is dependent on FAK phosphorylation in response to its activation by integrin. We also found that the fibrotic ECM inhibits skeletal muscle differentiation. This novel regulatory mechanism of CTGF expression could be acting as a positive profibrotic feedback between the ECM and CTGF, revealing a novel concept in the control of fibrosis under chronic damage.