bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Enhancement of X-Band Marine Radar Imagery to Detect Oil Spill Segments
Authors: Liu Peng , Li Ying , Xu Jin , Zhu Xueyuan
Published: October 2017

Oil spills generate a large cost in environmental and economic terms. Their identification plays an important role in oil-spill response. We propose an oil spill detection method with improved adaptive enhancement on X-band marine radar systems. The radar images used in this paper were acquired on 21 July 2010, from the teaching-training ship “YUKUN” of the Dalian Maritime University. According to the shape characteristic of co-channel interference, two convolutional filters are used to detect the location of the interference, followed by a mean filter to erase the interference. Small objects, such as bright speckles, are taken as a mask in the radar image and improved by the Fields-of-Experts model. The region marked by strong reflected signals from the sea’s surface is selected to identify oil spills. The selected region is subject to improved adaptive enhancement designed based on features of radar images. With the proposed adaptive enhancement technique, calculated oil spill detection is comparable to visual interpretation in accuracy.
A Wireless Monitoring System Using a Tunneling Sensor Array in a Smart Oral Appliance for Sleep Apnea Treatment
Authors: Yeh Kun-Ying , Yeh Chao-Chi , Wu Chun-Chang , Tang Kuan , Wu Jyun-Yi , Chen Yun-Ting , Xu Ming-Xin , Chen Yunn-Jy , Yang Yao-Joe , Lu Shey-Shi
Published: October 2017

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder, and the most common type is obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Untreated OSA will cause lots of potential health problems. Oral appliance therapy is an effective and popular approach for OSA treatment, but making a perfect fit for each patient is time-consuming and decreases its efficiency considerably. This paper proposes a System-on-a-Chip (SoC) enabled sleep monitoring system in a smart oral appliance, which is capable of intelligently collecting the physiological data about tongue movement through the whole therapy. A tunneling sensor array with an ultra-high sensitivity is incorporated to accurately detect the subtle pressure from the tongue. When the device is placed on the wireless platform, the temporary stored data will be retrieved and wirelessly transmitted to personal computers and cloud storages. The battery will be recharged by harvesting external RF power from the platform. A compact prototype module, whose size is 4.5 × 2.5 × 0.9 cm3, is implemented and embedded inside the oral appliance to demonstrate the tongue movement detection in continuous time frames. The functions of this design are verified by the presented measurement results. This design aims to increase efficiency and make it a total solution for OSA treatment.
Asymmetric Dual-Band Tracking Technique for Optimal Joint Processing of BDS B1I and B1C Signals
Authors: Wang Chuhan , Cui Xiaowei , Ma Tianyi , Zhao Sihao , Lu Mingquan
Published: October 2017

Along with the rapid development of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), satellite navigation signals have become more diversified, complex, and agile in adapting to increasing market demands. Various techniques have been developed for processing multiple navigation signals to achieve better performance in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and robustness. This paper focuses on a technique for processing two signals with separate but adjacent center frequencies, such as B1I and B1C signals in the BeiDou global system. The two signals may differ in modulation scheme, power, and initial phase relation and can be processed independently by user receivers; however, the propagation delays of the two signals from a satellite are nearly identical as they are modulated on adjacent frequencies, share the same reference clock, and undergo nearly identical propagation paths to the receiver, resulting in strong coherence between the two signals. Joint processing of these signals can achieve optimal measurement performance due to the increased Gabor bandwidth and power. In this paper, we propose a universal scheme of asymmetric dual-band tracking (ASYM-DBT) to take advantage of the strong coherence, the increased Gabor bandwidth, and power of the two signals in achieving much-reduced thermal noise and more accurate ranging results when compared with the traditional single-band algorithm.
What is 5G? Emerging 5G Mobile Services and Network Requirements
Authors: Yu Heejung , Lee Howon , Jeon Hongbeom
Published: October 2017

In this paper, emerging 5G mobile services are investigated and categorized from the perspective of not service providers, but end-users. The development of 5G mobile services is based on an intensive analysis of the global trends in mobile services. Additionally, several indispensable service requirements, essential for realizing service scenarios presented, are described. To illustrate the changes in societies and in daily life in the 5G era, five megatrends, including the explosion of mobile data traffic, the rapid increase in connected devices, everything on the cloud, hyper-realistic media for convergence services and knowledge as a service enabled by big-data analysis, are examined. Based on such trends, we classify the new 5G services into five categories in terms of the end-users’ experience as follows: immersive 5G services, intelligent 5G services, omnipresent 5G services, autonomous 5G services and public 5G services. Moreover, several 5G service scenarios in each service category are presented, and essential technical requirements for realizing the aforementioned 5G services are suggested, along with a competitiveness analysis on 5G services/devices/network industries and the current condition of 5G technologies.
Bounded Solutions to Nonhomogeneous Linear Second-Order Difference Equations
Authors: Stević Stevo
Published: October 2017

By using some solvability methods and the contraction mapping principle are investigated bounded, as well as periodic solutions to some classes of nonhomogeneous linear second-order difference equations on domains N 0 , Z ∖ N 2 and Z . The case when the coefficients of the equation are constant and the zeros of the characteristic polynomial associated to the corresponding homogeneous equation do not belong to the unit circle is described in detail.
Gravity Theories with Background Fields and Spacetime Symmetry Breaking
Authors: Bluhm Robert
Published: October 2017

An overview is given of effective gravitational field theories with fixed background fields that break spacetime symmetry. The behavior of the background fields and the types of excitations that can occur depend on whether the symmetry breaking is explicit or spontaneous. For example, when the breaking is spontaneous, the background field is dynamical and massless Nambu–Goldstone and massive Higgs excitations can appear. However, if the breaking is explicit, the background is nondynamical, and in this case additional metric or vierbein excitations occur due to the loss of local symmetry, or these excitations can be replaced by dynamical scalar fields using a Stückelberg approach. The interpretation of Noether identities that must hold in each case differs, depending on the type of symmetry breaking, and this affects the nature of the consistency conditions that must hold. The Noether identities also shed light on why the Stückelberg approach works, and how it is able to restore the broken spacetime symmetry in a theory with explicit breaking.
Changes in the Treatment of Some Physico-Chemical Properties of Cassava Mill Effluents Using Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Izah Sylvester , Bassey Sunday , Ohimain Elijah
Published: October 2017

Cassava is majorly processed into gari by smallholders in Southern Nigeria. During processing, large volume of effluents are produced in the pressing stage of cassava tuber processing. The cassava mill effluents are discharged into the soil directly and it drain into nearby pits, surface water, and canals without treatment. Cassava mill effluents is known to alter the receiving soil and water characteristics and affects the biota in such environments, such as fishes (water), domestic animals, and vegetation (soil). This study investigated the potential of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to be used for the treatment of some physicochemical properties of cassava mill effluents. S. cerevisiae was isolated from palm wine and identified based on conventional microbiological techniques, viz. morphological, cultural, and physiological/biochemical characteristics. The S. cerevisiae was inoculated into sterile cassava mill effluents and incubated for 15 days. Triplicate samples were withdrawn from the setup after the fifth day of treatment. Portable equipment was used to analyze the in-situ parameters, viz. total dissolved solids (TDS), pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, salinity, and turbidity. Anions (nitrate, sulphate, and phosphate) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were analyzed using spectrophotometric and open reflux methods respectively. Results showed a decline of 37.62%, 22.96%, 29.63%, 20.49%, 21.44%, 1.70%, 53.48%, 68.00%, 100%, and 74.48% in pH, conductivity, DO, TDS, salinity, sulphate, nitrate, phosphate, and COD levels respectively, and elevation of 17.17% by turbidity. The study showed that S. cerevisiae could be used for the treatment of cassava mill effluents prior to being discharged into the environment so as to reduce the pollution or contamination and toxicity levels.
Animal Toxins Providing Insights into TRPV1 Activation Mechanism
Authors: Geron Matan , Hazan Adina , Priel Avi
Published: October 2017

Beyond providing evolutionary advantages, venoms offer unique research tools, as they were developed to target functionally important proteins and pathways. As a key pain receptor in the nociceptive pathway, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) of the TRP superfamily has been shown to be a target for several toxins, as a way of producing pain to deter predators. Importantly, TRPV1 is involved in thermoregulation, inflammation, and acute nociception. As such, toxins provide tools to understand TRPV1 activation and modulation, a critical step in advancing pain research and the development of novel analgesics. Indeed, the phytotoxin capsaicin, which is the spicy chemical in chili peppers, was invaluable in the original cloning and characterization of TRPV1. The unique properties of each subsequently characterized toxin have continued to advance our understanding of functional, structural, and biophysical characteristics of TRPV1. By building on previous reviews, this work aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the advancements made in TRPV1 research in recent years by employing animal toxins, in particular DkTx, RhTx, BmP01, Echis coloratus toxins, APHCs and HCRG21. We examine each toxin’s functional aspects, behavioral effects, and structural features, all of which have contributed to our current knowledge of TRPV1. We additionally discuss the key features of TRPV1’s outer pore domain, which proves to be the target of the currently discussed toxins.
Random Network Models to Predict the Long-Term Impact of HPV Vaccination on Genital Warts
Authors: Díez-Domingo Javier , Sánchez-Alonso Víctor , Villanueva Rafael-J. , Acedo Luis , Moraño José-Antonio , Villanueva-Oller Javier
Published: October 2017

The Human papillomaviruses (HPV) vaccine induces a herd immunity effect in genital warts when a large number of the population is vaccinated. This aspect should be taken into account when devising new vaccine strategies, like vaccination at older ages or male vaccination. Therefore, it is important to develop mathematical models with good predictive capacities. We devised a sexual contact network that was calibrated to simulate the Spanish epidemiology of different HPV genotypes. Through this model, we simulated the scenario that occurred in Australia in 2007, where 12–13 year-old girls were vaccinated with a three-dose schedule of a vaccine containing genotypes 6 and 11, which protect against genital warts, and also a catch-up program in women up to 26 years of age. Vaccine coverage were 73 % in girls with three doses and with coverage rates decreasing with age until 52 % for 20–26 year-olds. A fast 59 % reduction in the genital warts diagnoses occurred in the model in the first years after the start of the program, similar to what was described in the literature.
Small Pilot Survey on Parents’ Perception of the Relationship between Children and Pets
Authors: Russo Natalia , Vergnano Diana , Bergero Domenico , Prola Liviana
Published: October 2017

Since companion animals are taking on more important roles in family life, the aim of this study was to evaluate the perception of parents about the relationship between their children and pets. A number of parents were asked to fill in a questionnaire; the principal topics were: pet ownership, pet care, relationship between pets and children, and sources of information about pet management. Eighty-two parents completed the survey; 71.4% of them already had pets before having children; pet care and health has emerged to be rather important, since 96.4% of the pets are taken to the veterinarian at least once a year; moreover, the great majority of the parents (97.2%) were not worried about the possible risks, linked to pets, pertaining to their child’s health. The present survey confirms that pets are mostly considered as members of the family, and not only as a benefit for the children. Moreover, the relationship between children and pets is basically seen as a positive experience for children.
SPH Modelling of Hydraulic Jump Oscillations at an Abrupt Drop
Authors: De Padova Diana , Mossa Michele , Sibilla Stefano
Published: October 2017

This paper shows the results of the numerical modelling of the transition from supercritical to subcritical flow at an abrupt drop, which can be characterised by the occurrence of oscillatory flow conditions between two different jump types. Weakly-Compressible Smoothed Particle (WCSPH) model was employed and both an algebraic mixing-length model and a two-equation model were used to represent turbulent stresses. The purpose of this paper is to obtain through the SPH model a deeper understanding of the physical features of a flow, which is, in general, difficult to be reproduced numerically, owing to its unstable character. In particular, the experience already gained in SPH simulations of vorticity-dominated flows allows one to assess the fluctuations of hydrodynamic characteristics of the flow field, (e.g., free surface profile downstream of the jump, velocity, pressure and vorticity). Numerical results showed satisfactory agreement with measurements and most of the peculiar features of the flow were qualitatively and quantitatively reproduced.
The Potential for the Treatment of Antimony-Containing Wastewater by Iron-Based Adsorbents
Authors: Deng Ren-Jian , Jin Chang-Sheng , Ren Bo-Zhi , Hou Bao-Lin , Hursthouse Andrew
Published: October 2017

Antimony (Sb) and its compounds are considered as global priority pollutants. Elevated concentrations of antimony in natural and industrial process wastewater are of global concern, particularly given interest in the potential toxicity and harm to the environment from aquatic exposure. Iron-based materials for treatment by adsorption are widely regarded to have potential merit for the removal of trace contaminants from water and especially in the search for efficient and low-cost techniques. In this paper, we review the application of iron-based materials in the sorption treatment of antimony contaminated water. The interaction of Sb is discussed in relation to adsorption performance, influencing factors, mechanism, modelling of adsorption (isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic models), advantages, drawbacks and the recent achievements in the field. Although iron-based adsorbents show promise, the following three aspects are in need of further study. Firstly, a select number of iron based binary metal oxide adsorbents should be further explored as they show superior performance compared to other systems. Secondly, the possibility of redox reactions and conversion between Sb(III) and Sb(V) during the adsorption process is unclear and requires further investigation. Thirdly, in order to achieve optimized control of preferential adsorption sites and functional groups, the mechanism of antimony removal has to be qualitatively and quantitatively resolved by combining the advantages of advanced characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Atomic force microscope(AFM), X-ray absorption near edge structure(XANES), and other spectroscopic methods. We provide details on the achievements and limitations of each of these stages and point to the need for further research.
Parametric Modelling of Potential Evapotranspiration: A Global Survey
Authors: Tegos Aristoteles , Malamos Nikolaos , Efstratiadis Andreas , Tsoukalas Ioannis , Karanasios Alexandros , Koutsoyiannis Demetris
Published: October 2017

We present and validate a global parametric model of potential evapotranspiration (PET) with two parameters that are estimated through calibration, using as explanatory variables temperature and extraterrestrial radiation. The model is tested over the globe, taking advantage of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO CLIMWAT) database that provides monthly averaged values of meteorological inputs at 4300 locations worldwide. A preliminary analysis of these data allows for explaining the major drivers of PET over the globe and across seasons. The model calibration against the given Penman-Monteith values was carried out through an automatic optimization procedure. For the evaluation of the model, we present global maps of optimized model parameters and associated performance metrics, and also contrast its performance against the well-known Hargreaves-Samani method. Also, we use interpolated values of the optimized parameters to validate the predictive capacity of our model against monthly meteorological time series, at several stations worldwide. The results are very encouraging, since even with the use of abstract climatic information for model calibration and the use of interpolated parameters as local predictors, the model generally ensures reliable PET estimations. Exceptions are mainly attributed to irregular interactions between temperature and extraterrestrial radiation, as well as because the associated processes are influenced by additional drivers, e.g., relative humidity and wind speed. However, the analysis of the residuals shows that the model is consistent in terms of parameters estimation and model validation. The parameter maps allow for the direct use of the model wherever in the world, providing PET estimates in case of missing data, that can be further improved even with a short term acquisition of meteorological data.
Study of Construction of Bypass Roads with Consideration of Environmental and Energy Indicators
Authors: Ugnenko Yevgeniia , Uzhvieva Elena , Makovyey Radu , Puodžiukas Virgaudas
Published: October 2017

Determination of the radii of circular round-about highways and the corner of their unlocking is considered in the given article. To determine the radius of circular round about highways it is recommended to use the prime price of motor-car cargo transportations, taking into account the factor of their delivery acceleration for roads which provide different speed modes.
Serviceability Limit Verification for Structural Elements
of Steel Hall
Authors: Skrzypczak Izabela , Oleniacz Grzegorz
Published: October 2017

In recent years, the importance of assessing structural reliability has increased significantly. This is confirmed
by the recommendations of the PN-EN 1990 standard. This standard gives the principles and requirements to ensure the
safety, serviceability and durability of the structure. It sets out the basis for calculation and verification of the structure
and provides guidance to ensure their reliability. Reliability of structure is its ability to meet specific design requirements,
taking into account the planned period of use. The planned period of use should be understood as a time period
approved in the project, in which the structure or part of it is to be used for their intended purpose, without the need for
major repairs. Typically, reliability is expressed by probabilistic measures as indicator of reliability or probability of
failure. The aim of this study is to present the results of of roof girder deflection surveying and modeling their reliability.
A general algorithm for determining the value of the reliability indicator for the bending steel beam with FORM method
will be presented. Verification of the differences between the indicator of reliability obtained by simplified probabilistic
methods and compare them with the values recommended in the Eurocode 0 standard will be also shown. For the analyzed
steel beam the serviceability limit states were considered.
A Deep Chandra X-Ray Study of Neutron Star Coalescence GW170817
Authors: Haggard Daryl , Nynka Melania , Ruan John J. , Kalogera Vicky , Cenko S. Bradley , Evans Phil , Kennea Jamie A.
Published: October 2017

We report Chandra observations of GW170817, the first neutron star–neutron star merger discovered by the joint LIGO-Virgo Collaboration, and the first direct detection of gravitational radiation associated with an electromagnetic counterpart, Fermi short γ-ray burst GRB 170817A. The event occurred on 2017 August 17 and subsequent observations identified an optical counterpart, SSS17a, coincident with NGC 4993 (∼10″ separation). Early Chandra (

days) and Swift (

days) observations yielded non-detections at the optical position, but ∼9 days post-trigger Chandra monitoring revealed an X-ray point source coincident with SSS17a. We present two deep Chandra observations totaling ∼95 ks, collected on 2017 September 01–02 (

days). We detect X-ray emission from SSS17a with

erg s−1, and a power law spectrum of

. We find that the X-ray light curve from a binary NS coalescence associated with this source is consistent with the afterglow from an off-axis short γ-ray burst, with a jet angled ≳23° from the line of sight. This event marks both the first electromagnetic counterpart to a LIGO-Virgo gravitational-wave source and the first identification of an off-axis short GRB. We also confirm extended X-ray emission from NGC 4993 (

erg s−1) consistent with its E/S0 galaxy classification, and report two new Chandra point sources in this field, CXOU J130948 and CXOU J130946.
The Discovery of the Electromagnetic Counterpart of GW170817: Kilonova AT 2017gfo/DLT17ck
Authors: Valenti Stefano , Sand David, J. , Yang Sheng , Cappellaro Enrico , Tartaglia Leonardo , Corsi Alessandra , Jha Saurabh W. , Reichart Daniel E. , Haislip Joshua , Kouprianov Vladimir
Published: October 2017

During the second observing run of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) and Virgo Interferometer, a gravitational-wave signal consistent with a binary neutron star coalescence was detected on 2017 August 17th (GW170817), quickly followed by a coincident short gamma-ray burst trigger detected by the Fermi satellite. The Distance Less Than 40 (DLT40) Mpc supernova search performed pointed follow-up observations of a sample of galaxies regularly monitored by the survey that fell within the combined LIGO+Virgo localization region and the larger Fermi gamma-ray burst error box. Here we report the discovery of a new optical transient (DLT17ck, also known as SSS17a; it has also been registered as AT 2017gfo) spatially and temporally coincident with GW170817. The photometric and spectroscopic evolution of DLT17ck is unique, with an absolute peak magnitude of M

r
 = −15.8 ± 0.1 and an r-band decline rate of 1.1 mag day−1. This fast evolution is generically consistent with kilonova models, which have been predicted as the optical counterpart to binary neutron star coalescences. Analysis of archival DLT40 data does not show any sign of transient activity at the location of DLT17ck down to r ∼ 19 mag in the time period between 8 months and 21 days prior to GW170817. This discovery represents the beginning of a new era for multi-messenger astronomy, opening a new path by which to study and understand binary neutron star coalescences, short gamma-ray bursts, and their optical counterparts.
An Ordinary Short Gamma-Ray Burst with Extraordinary Implications: Fermi-GBM Detection of GRB 170817A
Authors: Goldstein A. , Veres P. , Burns E. , Briggs M. S. , Hamburg R. , Kocevski D. , Wilson-Hodge C. A. , Preece R. D. , Poolakkil S. , Roberts O. J. , Hui C. M. , Connaughton V. , Racusin J. , Kienlin A. von , Canton T. Dal , Christensen N. , Littenberg T. , Siellez K. , Blackburn L. , Broida J. , Bissaldi E. , Cleveland W. H. , Gibby M. H. , Giles M. M. , Kippen R. M. , McBreen S. , McEnery J. , Meegan C. A. , Paciesas W. S. , Stanbro M.
Published: October 2017

On 2017 August 17 at 12:41:06 UTC the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) detected and triggered on the short gamma-ray burst (GRB) 170817A. Approximately 1.7 s prior to this GRB, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory triggered on a binary compact merger candidate associated with the GRB. This is the first unambiguous coincident observation of gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation from a single astrophysical source and marks the start of gravitational-wave multi-messenger astronomy. We report the GBM observations and analysis of this ordinary short GRB, which extraordinarily confirms that at least some short GRBs are produced by binary compact mergers.
The Electromagnetic Counterpart of the Binary Neutron Star Merger LIGO/Virgo GW170817. III. Optical and UV Spectra of a Blue Kilonova from Fast Polar Ejecta
Authors: Nicholl M. , Berger E. , Kasen D. , Metzger B. D. , Elias J. , Briceño C. , Alexander K. D. , Blanchard P. K. , Chornock R. , Cowperthwaite P. S. , Eftekhari T. , Fong W. , Margutti R. , Villar V. A. , Williams P. K. G. , Brown W. , Annis J. , Bahramian A. , Brout D. , Brown D. A. , Chen H.-Y. , Clemens J. C. , Dennihy E. , Dunlap B. , Holz D. E. , Marchesini E. , Massaro F. , Moskowitz N. , Pelisoli I. , Rest A. , Ricci F. , Sako M. , Soares-Santos M. , Strader J.
Published: October 2017

We present optical and ultraviolet spectra of the first electromagnetic counterpart to a gravitational-wave (GW) source, the binary neutron star merger GW170817. Spectra were obtained nightly between 1.5 and 9.5 days post-merger, using the Southern Astrophysical Research and Magellan telescopes; the UV spectrum was obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope at 5.5 days. Our data reveal a rapidly fading blue component (

T
≈
5500

K at 1.5 days) that quickly reddens; spectra later than

≳
4.5

days peak beyond the optical regime. The spectra are mostly featureless, although we identify a possible weak emission line at ∼7900 Å at

t
≲
4.5

days. The colors, rapid evolution, and featureless spectrum are consistent with a “blue” kilonova from polar ejecta comprised mainly of light r-process nuclei with atomic mass number

A
≲
140

. This indicates a sightline within

θ

obs

≲
45
°

of the orbital axis. Comparison to models suggests ∼0.03 M
⊙ of blue ejecta, with a velocity of

∼
0.3
c

. The required lanthanide fraction is

∼

10

−
4

, but this drops to

<

10

−
5

in the outermost ejecta. The large velocities point to a dynamical origin, rather than a disk wind, for this blue component, suggesting that both binary constituents are neutron stars (as opposed to a binary consisting of a neutron star and a black hole). For dynamical ejecta, the high mass favors a small neutron star radius of

≲
12

km. This mass also supports the idea that neutron star mergers are a major contributor to r-process nucleosynthesis.
The Electromagnetic Counterpart of the Binary Neutron Star Merger LIGO/Virgo GW170817. V. Rising X-Ray Emission from an Off-axis Jet
Authors: Margutti R. , Berger E. , Fong W. , Guidorzi C. , Alexander K. D. , Metzger B. D. , Blanchard P. K. , Cowperthwaite P. S. , Chornock R. , Eftekhari T. , Nicholl M. , Villar V. A. , Williams P. K. G. , Annis J. , Brown D. A. , Chen H. , Doctor Z. , Frieman J. A. , Holz D. E. , Sako M. , Soares-Santos M.
Published: October 2017

We report the discovery of rising X-ray emission from the binary neutron star merger event GW170817. This is the first detection of X-ray emission from a gravitational-wave (GW) source. Observations acquired with the Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) at

t
≈
2.3

days post-merger reveal no significant emission, with

L

x

≲
3.2
×

10

38

erg

s

−
1

(isotropic-equivalent). Continued monitoring revealed the presence of an X-ray source that brightened with time, reaching

L

x

≈
9
×

10

38

erg

s

−
1

at

≈
15.1

days post-merger. We interpret these findings in the context of isotropic and collimated relativistic outflows (both on- and off-axis). We find that the broadband X-ray to radio observations are consistent with emission from a relativistic jet with kinetic energy

E

k

∼

10

49
−
50

erg

, viewed off-axis with

θ

obs

∼
20
°
–
40
°

. Our models favor a circumbinary density

n
∼

10

−
4

–

10

−
2

cm

−
3

, depending on the value of the microphysical parameter

ϵ

B

=

10

−
4

–

10

−
2

. A central-engine origin of the X-ray emission is unlikely. Future X-ray observations at

t
≳
100

days, when the target will be observable again with the CXO, will provide additional constraints to solve the model degeneracies and test our predictions. Our inferences on

θ

obs

are testable with GW information on GW170817 from advanced LIGO/Virgo on the binary inclination.
The Electromagnetic Counterpart of the Binary Neutron Star Merger LIGO/Virgo GW170817. VI. Radio Constraints on a Relativistic Jet and Predictions for Late-time Emission from the Kilonova Ejecta
Authors: Alexander K. D. , Berger E. , Fong W. , Williams P. K. G. , Guidorzi C. , Margutti R. , Metzger B. D. , Annis J. , Blanchard P. K. , Brout D. , Brown D. A. , Chen H.-Y. , Chornock R. , Cowperthwaite P. S. , Drout M. , Eftekhari T. , Frieman J. , Holz D. E. , Nicholl M. , Rest A. , Sako M. , Soares-Santos M. , Villar V. A.
Published: October 2017

We present Very Large Array (VLA) and Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) radio observations of GW170817, the first Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO)/Virgo gravitational wave (GW) event from a binary neutron star merger and the first GW event with an electromagnetic (EM) counterpart. Our data include the first observations following the discovery of the optical transient at both the centimeter (13.7 hr post-merger) and millimeter (2.41 days post-merger) bands. We detect faint emission at 6 GHz at 19.47 and 39.23 days after the merger, but not in an earlier observation at 2.46 days. We do not detect cm/mm emission at the position of the optical counterpart at frequencies of 10–97.5 GHz at times ranging from  0.6 to 30 days post-merger, ruling out an on-axis short gamma-ray burst (SGRB) for energies

≳

10

48

erg. For fiducial SGRB parameters, our limits require an observer viewer angle of ≳20°. The radio and X-ray data can be jointly explained as the afterglow emission from an SGRB with a jet energy of

∼

10

49

–

10

50

erg that exploded in a uniform density environment with

n
∼

10

−
4

–

10

−
2

cm−3, viewed at an angle of ∼20°–40° from the jet axis. Using the results of our light curve and spectral modeling, in conjunction with the inference of the circumbinary density, we predict the emergence of late-time radio emission from the deceleration of the kilonova (KN) ejecta on a timescale of ∼5–10 years that will remain detectable for decades with next-generation radio facilities, making GW170817 a compelling target for long-term radio monitoring.
The Unprecedented Properties of the First Electromagnetic Counterpart to a Gravitational-wave Source
Authors: Siebert M. R. , Foley R. J. , Drout M. R. , Kilpatrick C. D. , Shappee B. J. , Coulter D. A. , Kasen D. , Madore B. F. , Murguia-Berthier A. , Pan Y.-C. , Piro A. L. , Prochaska J. X. , Ramirez-Ruiz E. , Rest A. , Contreras C. , Morrell N. , Rojas-Bravo C. , Simon J. D.
Published: October 2017

We discovered Swope Supernova Survey 2017a (SSS17a) in the LIGO/Virgo Collaboration (LVC) localization volume of GW170817, the first detected binary neutron star (BNS) merger, only 10.9 hr after the trigger. No object was present at the location of SSS17a only a few days earlier, providing a qualitative spatial and temporal association with GW170817. Here, we quantify this association, finding that SSS17a is almost certainly the counterpart of GW170817, with the chance of a coincidence being ≤

(90% confidence). We arrive at this conclusion by comparing the optical properties of SSS17a to other known astrophysical transients, finding that SSS17a fades and cools faster than any other observed transient. For instance, SSS17a fades >5 mag in g within 7 days of our first data point, while all other known transients of similar luminosity fade by <1 mag during the same time period. Its spectra are also unique, being mostly featureless, even as it cools. The rarity of “SSS17a-like” transients combined with the relatively small LVC localization volume and recent non-detection imply the extremely unlikely chance coincidence. We find that the volumetric rate of SSS17a-like transients is ≤

Gpc−3 yr−1 and the Milky Way rate is

per century. A transient survey designed to discover similar events should be high cadence and observe in red filters. The LVC will likely detect substantially more BNS mergers than current optical surveys will independently discover SSS17a-like transients, however a 1 day cadence survey with the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) could discover an order of magnitude more events.
MSDC-0160 and MSDC-0602 Binding with Human Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier (MPC) 1 and 2 Heterodimer
Authors: Phelix Clyde F. , Bourdon Allen K , Dugan Jason L , Villareal Greg , Perry George
Published: October 2017

The mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is a novel target for therapeutic drugs to treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Metabolic Solutions Development Company (MSDC) has two thiazolidinediones, MSDC-0160 and MSDC-0602, in the pipeline. This report describes results for a MPC1/2 heterodimer homology model. The FASTA sequences for MPC1 and MPC2 were accessed from UniProt and submitted to RaptorX, resulting in best candidate monomeric “protein data base” files for each. One mutant form of MPC1, L36I, was also processed. These were submitted to PyDock to generate best candidate MPC1/2 heterodimer models that were used for ligand docking analyses with AutoDock Vina and “Rosetta Online Server that Includes Everyone” (ROSIE). Multiple binding sites for pyruvate and both drugs were found on both MPC1 and MPC2 subunits with drugs having nearly double the affinity in each case except the intermediate and open-in states for the L36I mutant transporter.
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Authors: DOI Deleted
Published: October 2017

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Disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis after discontinuation of TNF inhibitors therapy
Authors: Sebastian Agata , Wojtala Patryk , Lubiński Łukasz , Mimier Małgorzata , Chlebicki Arkadiusz , Wiland Piotr
Published: October 2017

Objective: Use of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) has proved to be an important step forward in the treatment of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), but the duration of the therapy as well as the management in case of low disease activity (LDA) or remission are not clearly established. Currently, the identification of potential predictors associated with the treatment discontinuation is the basic purpose of many clinical studies. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the discontinuation of TNFi therapy on the disease activity in patients with low disease activity.

Material and methods: The study included 65 patients; 47 of patients (72%) were treated with etanercept, 16 (2%) with adalimumab and 2 (3%) with infliximab.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 45 years, the mean BASDAI score was 6.8 and VAS for low back pain was 76 mm at baseline. 54 patients with axSpA (83%) achieved LDA after 9 months of anti-TNF therapy. During follow-up 40 patients (74% of patients with LDA) had an increase of the disease activity after mean 14 weeks and needed to restart the treatment with TNFi. After restart of the therapy LDA was regained in all patients after mean 7 weeks. 11 patients (17%) have never achieved LDA and 14 patients (22%) had LDA longer than 6 months without relapse. At baseline higher levels of CRP and ESR were observed in patients with relapse of the disease at the end of treatment and with LDA shorter than 6 months.

Conclusions: Changes in the values of disease activity indicators (CRP, ESR) correlated with more stable response to TNFi therapy. Over 50% of patients who were treated with TNFi needed to restart the therapy. Treatment resumption allowed to regain a good clinical effect among affected patients.
Complex diagnostics of common conditions of the motor organ of the developmental age
Authors: Słowińska Iwona
Published: October 2017

Some muscular and osteoarticular diseases pose serious diagnostic problems, e.g. subsequent recurrent or persistent conditions of isolated pain in the extremities, most frequently – in the lower extremities, especially knee joints, and isolated pain in the back, usually in the lumbosacral spine. They are often accompanied by gait abnormalities.

The paper herein presents a complex differential diagnosis of these conditions, the presented diseases that can cause them, and the role of the family doctor, paediatrician, orthopaedist, and rheumatologist in the diagnosis.

A detailed history of the presented complaints, accurate physical examination, plus extensive biochemical and immunological diagnostics, and microbiological and imaging techniques usually allow a diagnosis to be made.

Attention was paid to the sequence of imaging procedures conducted in the differential diagnosis of pains of the extremities and the spine and not to overuse procedures that involve exposure to ionising radiation.
The role of ultrasonography in monitoring long-standing rheumatoid arthritis: a pilot study
Authors: Jeka Sławomir , Dura Marta , Żuchowski Paweł , Zwierko Beata , Wojciechowski Rafał
Published: October 2017

Objective:  Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a condition that poses many diagnostic problems. As a result, it is often diagnosed too late, which makes effective treatment more difficult. The course of the disease is chronic, and it causes irreversible changes in the musculoskeletal system, as well as bone destruction, and this in turn impairs the proper monitoring of the treatment. Therefore, in order to assess the treatment’s efficacy, as well as a clinical examination of the patient and laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging is being used more frequently in routine practice. The aim of this paper is to assess the usefulness of power Doppler ultrasonography in the assessment of MCP joints in patients with chronic RA (LSRA), in comparison with DAS28, X-ray, and MRI.

Material and methods:  The study involved 26 patients with LSRA, treated with biologics. It lasted for a year. At the moment of enrolment, the condition had lasted for a minimum of 5 years, and DAS28 was > 5.1. The patients had visits every three months. During every visit, a PDUS test was performed and the DAS28 was determined. In the first and last month of the study the patients underwent X-ray and MRI tests.

Results:  At the end of the study, the DAS28 of 26 (100%) patients was lower or equal to 3.2. Based on PDUS and MRI tests, no synovitis was found in 21 (81%) and 18 (69%) patients, respectively. According to the MRI results, radiological changes progressed in 5 (19%) of them. All patients who showed progress of radiological changes also had visible synovitis during their PDUS test.

Conclusions: PDUS in patients with LSRA can be helpful in selecting patients, who are likely to develop a progression of radiological changes.
Reconciling differences in stratospheric ozone composites
Authors: Ball William T. , Alsing Justin , Mortlock Daniel J. , Rozanov Eugene V. , Tummon Fiona , Haigh Joanna D.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Observations of stratospheric ozone from multiple instruments now span three decades; combining these into composite datasets allows long-term ozone trends to be estimated. Recently, several ozone composites have been published, but trends disagree by latitude and altitude, even between composites built upon the same instrument data. We confirm that the main causes of differences in decadal trend estimates lie in (i) steps in the composite time series when the instrument source data changes and (ii) artificial sub-decadal trends in the underlying instrument data. These artefacts introduce features that can alias with regressors in multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis; both can lead to inaccurate trend estimates. Here, we aim to remove these artefacts using Bayesian methods to infer the underlying ozone time series from a set of composites by building a joint-likelihood function using a Gaussian-mixture density to model outliers introduced by data artefacts, together with a data-driven prior on ozone variability that incorporates knowledge of problems during instrument operation. We apply this Bayesian self-calibration approach to stratospheric ozone in 10° bands from 60° S to 60° N and from 46 to 1 hPa (∼ 21–48 km) for 1985–2012. There are two main outcomes: (i) we independently identify and confirm many of the data problems previously identified, but which remain unaccounted for in existing composites; (ii) we construct an ozone composite, with uncertainties, that is free from most of these problems – we call this the BAyeSian Integrated and Consolidated (BASIC) composite. To analyse the new BASIC composite, we use dynamical linear modelling (DLM), which provides a more robust estimate of long-term changes through Bayesian inference than MLR. BASIC and DLM, together, provide a step forward in improving estimates of decadal trends. Our results indicate a significant recovery of ozone since 1998 in the upper stratosphere, of both northern and southern midlatitudes, in all four composites analysed, and particularly in the BASIC composite. The BASIC results also show no hemispheric difference in the recovery at midlatitudes, in contrast to an apparent feature that is present, but not consistent, in the four composites. Our overall conclusion is that it is possible to effectively combine different ozone composites and account for artefacts and drifts, and that this leads to a clear and significant result that upper stratospheric ozone levels have increased since 1998, following an earlier decline.
Health and Economic Impacts of Ozone Pollution in China: a provincial level analysis
Authors: Xie Yang , Dai Hancheng , Zhang Yanxu , Hanaoka Tatsuya , Masui Toshihiko
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Many studies have reported associations between ozone pollution and morbidity and mortality, but few studies focus on the health and economic effects at China's regional level. This study evaluates the ozone pollution-related health impacts on China's national and provincial economy and compares them with the impacts from PM2.5. We also explore the mitigation potential across 30 provinces of China. An integrated approach is developed that combines an air pollutant emission projection model (GAINS), an air quality model (GEOS-Chem), a health model using the latest exposure-response functions, medical prices and value of statistical life (VSL), and a general equilibrium model (CGE). Results show that lower income western provinces encounter severer health impacts and economic burdens due to high natural background levels of ozone pollution, whereas the impact in southern and central provinces is relatively lower. Without a control policy, in 2030 China will experience a 4.24 billion USD Gross Domestic Production (GDP) loss (equivalent to 0.034 %), and a 285 billion USD (equivalent to 2.34 % of GDP) life loss. In contrast, with a control policy, the GDP and VSLs loss will be reduced to 3.72 (0.030 %) and 242 billion USD (1.99 %), respectively. We conclude that health and economic impacts of ozone pollution are significantly lower than PM2.5, but are much more difficult to mitigate. The Chinese government should promote the air pollution control policies that jointly reduce both PM2.5 pollution and ozone pollution, and the public should adjust their lifestyle according to the air quality information.
Southern Hemisphere bog persists as a strong carbon sink during droughts
Authors: Goodrich Jordan P. , Campbell David I. , Schipper Louis A.
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Peatland ecosystems have been important global carbon sinks throughout the Holocene. Most of the research on peatland carbon budgets and effects of variable weather conditions has been done in Northern Hemisphere Sphagnum-dominated systems. Given their importance in other geographic and climatic regions, a better understanding of peatland carbon dynamics is needed across the spectrum of global peatland types. In New Zealand, much of the historic peatland area has been drained for agriculture but little is known about rates of carbon exchange and storage in unaltered peatland remnants that are dominated by the jointed wire rush, Empodisma robustum. We used eddy covariance to measure ecosystem-scale CO2 and CH4 fluxes and a water balance approach to estimate the sub-surface flux of dissolved organic carbon from the largest remaining raised peat bog in New Zealand, Kopuatai bog. The net ecosystem carbon balance (NECB) was estimated over four years, which included two drought summers, a relatively wet summer, and a meteorologically average summer. In all measurement years, the bog was a substantial sink for carbon, ranging from 134.7 to 216.9 gC m−2 yr−1, owing to the large annual net ecosystem production (161.8 to 244.9 gCO2–C m−2 yr−1). Annual methane fluxes were large relative to most Northern Hemisphere peatlands (14.2 to 21.9 gCH4–C m−2 yr−1), although summer and autumn emissions were highly sensitive to dry conditions, leading to very predictable seasonality according to water table position. The annual flux of dissolved organic carbon was similar in magnitude to methane emissions but less variable, ranging from 11.7 to 12.8 gC m−2 yr−1. Dry conditions experienced during late summer droughts led to significant reductions in annual carbon storage, which resulted nearly equally from enhanced ecosystem respiration due to lowered water tables and increased temperatures, and from reduced gross primary production due to vapor pressure deficit-related stresses to the vegetation. However, the net C uptake of Kopuatai bog during drought years was large relative to even the maximum reported NECB from Northern Hemisphere bogs. Furthermore, global warming potential fluxes indicated the bog was a strong sink for greenhouse gases in all years despite the relatively large annual methane emissions. Our results suggest that adaptations of E. robustum to dry conditions lead to a resilient peatland drought response of the NECB.
Fractional governing equations of transient groundwater flow in confined aquifers with multi-fractional dimensions in fractional time
Authors: Kavvas M. Levent , Tu Tongbi , Ercan Ali , Polsinelli James
Published: October 2017

Abstract. Using fractional calculus, a dimensionally consistent governing equation of transient, saturated groundwater flow in fractional time in a multi-fractional confined aquifer is developed. First, a dimensionally consistent continuity equation for transient saturated groundwater flow in fractional time and in a multi-fractional, multidimensional confined aquifer is developed. For the equation of water flux within a multi-fractional multidimensional confined aquifer, a dimensionally consistent equation is also developed. The governing equation of transient saturated groundwater flow in a multi-fractional, multidimensional confined aquifer in fractional time is then obtained by combining the fractional continuity and water flux equations. To illustrate the capability of the proposed governing equation of groundwater flow in a confined aquifer, a numerical application of the fractional governing equation to a confined aquifer groundwater flow problem was also performed.