bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Pilot Study Investigating the Reasons for Playing Through Pain and Injury: Emerging Themes in Men’s and Women’s Collegiate Rugby
Authors: Madrigal Leilani , Robbins Jamie , Gill Diane L. , Wurst Katherine
Published: August 2015

Collegiate rugby is a competitive, collision sport, yet insufficient empirical evidence exists regarding participants’ perspectives on pain and injury. This study addressed male and female rugby players’ experiences with injury, and their views about playing through pain and injury. Eleven rugby players (five male; six female) competing in USA Rugby’s National College 7’s tournament participated in semistructured interviews, which were recorded, transcribed, and content-analyzed. Two major themes emerged: passion for sport and sport ethic. Passion for sport was composed of (a) love of the sport, (b) meaning of the sport, and (c) desire to be on the field. Sport ethic included: (a) helping the team, (b) game time sacrifice, (c) personality, (d) minimize, and (e) accepted behavior. The researchers explain these findings and propose strategies for increasing future athletes’ understanding of the dangers associated with playing through pain, and confronting the currently accepted culture of risk.
Efficacy of a virus-vectored vaccine against human and bovine respiratory syncytial virus infections
Authors: Taylor Geraldine , Thom Michelle , Capone Stefania , Pierantoni Angiolo , Guzman Efrain , Herbert Rebecca , Scarselli Elisa , Napolitano Federico , Giuliani Alessandro , Folgori Antonella , Colloca Stefano , Cortese Riccardo , Nicosia Alfredo , Vitelli Alessandra
Published: August 2015

A vectored human RSV vaccine protects young seronegative calves.
Unraveling the role of immune accessory molecules
Authors: Beswick Ellen J.
Published: August 2015

B7-H3 protects against prostate tumors by modulating regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment.
Structural and Functional Adaptation of Vancomycin Resistance VanT Serine Racemases
Authors: Meziane-Cherif Djalal , Stogios Peter J. , Evdokimova Elena , Egorova Olga , Savchenko Alexei , Courvalin Patrice
Published: August 2015

Vancomycin resistance in Gram-positive bacteria results from the replacement of the
d
-alanyl–
d
-alanine target of peptidoglycan precursors with
d
-alanyl–
d
-lactate or
d
-alanyl–
d
-serine (
d
-Ala-
d
-Ser), to which vancomycin has low binding affinity. VanT is one of the proteins required for the production of
d
-Ala-
d
-Ser-terminating precursors by converting
l
-Ser to
d
-Ser. VanT is composed of two domains, an N-terminal membrane-bound domain, likely involved in
l
-Ser uptake, and a C-terminal cytoplasmic catalytic domain which is related to bacterial alanine racemases. To gain insight into the molecular function of VanT, the crystal structure of the catalytic domain of VanT
G
from VanG-type resistant
Enterococcus faecalis
BM4518 was determined. The structure showed significant similarity to type III pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent alanine racemases, which are essential for peptidoglycan synthesis. Comparative structural analysis between VanT
G
and alanine racemases as well as site-directed mutagenesis identified three specific active site positions centered around Asn
696
which are responsible for the
l
-amino acid specificity. This analysis also suggested that VanT racemases evolved from regular alanine racemases by acquiring additional selectivity toward serine while preserving that for alanine. The 4-fold-lower relative catalytic efficiency of VanT
G
against
l
-Ser versus
l
-Ala implied that this enzyme relies on its membrane-bound domain for
l
-Ser transport to increase the overall rate of
d
-Ser production. These findings illustrate how vancomycin pressure selected for molecular adaptation of a housekeeping enzyme to a bifunctional enzyme to allow for peptidoglycan remodeling, a strategy increasingly observed in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

IMPORTANCE
Vancomycin is one of the drugs of last resort against Gram-positive antibiotic-resistant pathogens. However, bacteria have evolved a sophisticated mechanism which remodels the drug target, the
d
-alanine ending precursors in cell wall synthesis, into precursors terminating with
d
-lactate or
d
-serine, to which vancomycin has less affinity.
d
-Ser is synthesized by VanT serine racemase, which has two unusual characteristics: (i) it is one of the few serine racemases identified in bacteria and (ii) it contains a membrane-bound domain involved in
l
-Ser uptake. The structure of the catalytic domain of VanT
G
showed high similarity to alanine racemases, and we identified three specific active site substitutions responsible for
l
-Ser specificity. The data provide the molecular basis for VanT evolution to a bifunctional enzyme coordinating both transport and racemization. Our findings also illustrate the evolution of the essential alanine racemase into a vancomycin resistance enzyme in response to antibiotic pressure.
A 1,000-Year-Old Antimicrobial Remedy with Antistaphylococcal Activity
Authors: Harrison Freya , Roberts Aled E. L. , Gabrilska Rebecca , Rumbaugh Kendra P. , Lee Christina , Diggle Stephen P.
Published: August 2015

Plant-derived compounds and other natural substances are a rich potential source of compounds that kill or attenuate pathogens that are resistant to current antibiotics. Medieval societies used a range of these natural substances to treat conditions clearly recognizable to the modern eye as microbial infections, and there has been much debate over the likely efficacy of these treatments. Our interdisciplinary team, comprising researchers from both sciences and humanities, identified and reconstructed a potential remedy forStaphylococcus aureusinfection from a 10th century Anglo-Saxon leechbook. The remedy repeatedly killed establishedS. aureusbiofilms in anin vitromodel of soft tissue infection and killed methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA) in a mouse chronic wound model. While the remedy contained several ingredients that are individually known to have some antibacterial activity, full efficacy required the combined action of several ingredients, highlighting the scholarship of premodern doctors and the potential of ancient texts as a source of new antimicrobial agents.

IMPORTANCEWhile the antibiotic potential of some materials used in historical medicine has been demonstrated, empirical tests of entire remedies are scarce. This is an important omission, because the efficacy of “ancientbiotics” could rely on the combined activity of their various ingredients. This would lead us to underestimate their efficacy and, by extension, the scholarship of premodern doctors. It could also help us to understand why some natural compounds that show antibacterial promise in the laboratory fail to yield positive results in clinical trials. We have reconstructed a 1,000-year-old remedy which kills the bacteria it was designed to treat and have shown that this activity relies on the combined activity of several antimicrobial ingredients. Our results highlight (i) the scholarship and rational methodology of premodern medical professionals and (ii) the untapped potential of premodern remedies for yielding novel therapeutics at a time when new antibiotics are desperately needed.
Knee kinematics and joint moments during gait following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Hart Harvi F , Culvenor Adam G , Collins Natalie J , Ackland David C , Cowan Sallie M , Machotka Zuzana , Crossley Kay M
Published: August 2015

Background

Abnormal gait after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) may contribute to development and/or progression of knee osteoarthritis.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of knee kinematics and joint moments during walking after ACLR.

Methods

We searched seven electronic databases and reference lists of relevant papers, for cross-sectional, human-based observational studies comparing knee joint kinematics and moments during level walking in individuals with ACLR, with the uninjured contralateral knee or healthy individuals as a control. Two independent reviewers appraised methodological quality (modified Downs and Black scale). Where possible, data were pooled by time post-ACLR (RevMan), otherwise narrative synthesis was undertaken.

Results

Thirty-four studies were included. Meta-analysis revealed significant sagittal plane deficits in ACLR knees. We found greater knee flexion angles (standardised mean difference: 1.06; 95% CI 0.39 to 1.74) and joint moments (1.61; 0.87 to 2.35) <6 months post-ACLR, compared to healthy controls. However, lower peak knee flexion angles were identified 1–3 years (−2.21; −3.16 to −1.26) and ≥3 years post-ACLR (−1.38, −2.14 to −0.62), and lower knee flexion moment 6–12 months post-ACLR (−0.76; −1.40 to −0.12). Pooled data provided strong evidence of no difference in peak knee adduction moment >3 years after ACLR (vs healthy controls) (0.09; −0.63 to 0.81). No transverse plane conclusions could be drawn.

Conclusions

Sagittal plane biomechanics, rather than the knee adduction moment, appear to be more relevant post-ACLR. Better understanding of sagittal plane biomechanics is necessary for optimal post-operative recovery, and to potentially prevent early onset and progression of knee OA after ACLR.

Trial registration number

PROSPERO systematic review protocol registration number CRD4201400882 2.
Alcohol consumption and risk of incident heart failure in older men: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Wannamethee S Goya , Whincup Peter H , Lennon Lucy , Papacosta Olia , Shaper A Gerald
Published: August 2015

Aims

Light-to-moderate drinking has been associated with reduced risk of heart failure (HF). We have examined the association between alcohol consumption and incident HF in older British men.

Methods and results

Prospective study of 3530 men aged 60–79 years with no diagnosed HF or myocardial infarction (MI) at baseline and followed up for a mean period of 11 years, in whom there were 198 incident HF cases. Men were divided into 6 categories of alcohol consumption: none, <1, 1–6, 7–13, 14–34 and ≥35 drinks/week. There was no evidence that light-to-moderate drinking is beneficial for risk of HF. Heavy drinking (≥35 drinks/week) was associated with significantly increased risk of HF. Using the large group of men drinking 1–6 drinks/week as the reference group, the relative HRs (95% confidence interval) for HF adjusted for age, lifestyle characteristics, blood pressure, atrial fibrillation and renal dysfunction were 0.97 (0.59 to 1.63), 1.39 (0.86 to 2.25), 1.00, 0.94 (0.64 to 1.43), 1.16 (0.78 to 1.71) and 1.91 (1.02 to 3.56) for the 6 alcohol groups, respectively. The increased risk associated with heavy drinking was attenuated after adjustment for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) (HR=1.43 (0.76 to 1.69)). Stratified analysis showed heavy drinking was associated with increased HF risk only in those with ECG evidence of myocardial ischaemia.

Conclusions

There was no evidence that light-to-moderate drinking is beneficial for the prevention of HF in older men without a history of an MI. Heavier drinking (≥5 drinks/day), however, was associated with increased risk of HF in vulnerable men with underlying myocardial ischaemia.
Molecular identification of three isolates of Trichoderma harzianum isolated from agricultural soils in Argentina, and their abilities to detoxify in vitro metsulfuron methyl
Authors: Vázquez María Belén , Barrera Viviana , Bianchinotti Virginia
Published: August 2015

Metsulfuron methyl (MM) is a sulfonylurea herbicide used worldwide for the control of weeds in cereal crops. In a previous study, three Trichoderma strains (T5, T6, and T7) capable of using MM as a sole carbon and energy source were isolated. In this study, the three strains were identified as Trichoderma harzianum using genetic markers, and the transformation of MM by the T. harzianum strains was quantified using spectrophotometry. Solutions of different phytotoxic doses of MM were incubated with plugs of mycelia of the Trichoderma strains and the resulting mixtures were used to assess MM detoxification. The toxicity of the degradation products was tested with a bioassay using pre-germinated seeds of Lens culinaris Medik. and mycelia. Strain T7 was more efficient in transforming MM at higher concentrations than the T5 and T6 strains. In the bioassay, T5 showed the best performance at higher MM doses. We conclude that both T5 and T7 strains are promising for further studies regarding treatment or amelioration of MM contaminated soils.
Soil moisture controls Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) seedling carbon balance and survivorship at timberline in Utah, USA
Authors: Gill Richard A. , Campbell Colin S. , Karlinsey Sarah M.
Published: August 2015

Most hypotheses about controls over high-altitude forests, including treeline, the elevation for upright woody plants, or timberline, the upper elevation for aggregated forest, suggest that low temperature drives forest dynamics, either through effects on cell division and tree growth or indirectly through frost damage or nutrient availability. However, abiotic factors other than temperature, including water availability, may serve as other important controls at high elevations, particularly for seedlings. To test the hypothesis that the timing and amount of precipitation exerts a strong control over the high-elevation forest boundary on the Wasatch Plateau in central Utah, USA, we conducted a field experiment that manipulated water availability and monitored photosynthesis, growth, and survivorship in Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm. seedlings. Survivorship increased from the driest to the wettest conditions, whereas the timing of precipitation did not explain differences in survival. However, we found that large, infrequent rain events increased maximum photosynthetic flux density compared with small, frequent rain events. Our results highlight the potential role of growing season water availability in limiting timberline expansion below the low-temperature thermal limits of P. engelmannii. As a consequence, the infilling of trees below the treeline in this region in response to climate change is likely to be episodic and driven by multiyear periods of high water availability and frequency that overcome drought limitations.
A General Approach for Quantifying Nonlinear Connectivity in the Nervous System Based on Phase Coupling
Authors: Yang Yuan , Solis-Escalante Teodoro , Yao Jun , Daffertshofer Andreas , Schouten Alfred C. , van der Helm Frans C. T.
Published: August 2015

Interaction between distant neuronal populations is essential for communication within the nervous system and can occur as a highly nonlinear process. To better understand the functional role of neural interactions, it is important to quantify the nonlinear connectivity in the nervous system. We introduce a general approach to measure nonlinear connectivity through phase coupling: the multi-spectral phase coherence (MSPC). Using simulated data, we compare MSPC with existing phase coupling measures, namely n : m synchronization index and bi-phase locking value. MSPC provides a system description, including (i) the order of the nonlinearity, (ii) the direction of interaction, (iii) the time delay in the system, and both (iv) harmonic and (v) intermodulation coupling beyond the second order; which are only partly revealed by other methods. We apply MSPC to analyze data from a motor control experiment, where subjects performed isotonic wrist flexions while receiving movement perturbations. MSPC between the perturbation, EEG and EMG was calculated. Our results reveal directional nonlinear connectivity in the afferent and efferent pathways, as well as the time delay [Formula: see text] between the perturbation and the brain response. In conclusion, MSPC is a novel approach capable to assess high-order nonlinear interaction and timing in the nervous system.
Antiperfection of Yang–Mills Morse theory over a nonorientable surface
Authors: Baird Thomas John
Published: August 2015

We use Morse theory of the Yang–Mills functional to compute the Betti numbers of the moduli stack of flat U(3)-bundles over a compact nonorientable surface. Our result establishes the antiperfection conjecture of Ho–Liu, and establishes the equivariant formality conjecture of the author for U(3)-bundles.
A connectedness theorem over the spectrum of a formal power series ring
Authors: Kawakita Masayuki
Published: August 2015

We study the connectedness of the non-klt locus over the spectrum of a formal power series ring. In dimension 3, we prove the existence and normality of the smallest lc center, and apply it to the ACC for minimal log discrepancies greater than 1 on smooth 3-folds.
Analytical studies on a new lattice hydrodynamic traffic flow model with consideration of traffic current cooperation among three consecutive sites
Authors: Li Zhipeng , Zhong Chenjie , Chen Lizhu , Xu Shangzhi , Qian Yeqing
Published: August 2015

In this paper, the original lattice hydrodynamic model of traffic flow is extended to take into account the traffic current cooperation among three consecutive sites. The basic idea of the new consideration is that the cooperative traffic current of the considered site is determined by the traffic currents of the site itself, the immediately preceding site and the immediately following one. The stability criterion of the extended model is obtained by applying the linear stability analysis. The result reveals the traffic current cooperation of the immediately preceding site is positive correlation with the stability of traffic system, while negative correlation is found between the traffic stability and the traffic current cooperation of the nearest follow site. To describe the phase transition, the modified KdV equation near the critical point is derived by using the reductive perturbation method, with obtaining the dependence of the propagation kink solution for traffic jams on the traffic current cooperation among three consecutive sites. The direct numerical are conducted to verify the results of theoretical analysis, and explore the effects of the traffic current cooperation on the traffic flux of the vehicle flow system.
A MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF IMMUNE RESPONSE TO TUMOR INVASION INCORPORATED WITH DANGER MODEL
Authors: LI XUEFANG , XU JIAN-XIN
Published: August 2015

In this paper, a new mathematical model of the interactions between a growing tumor and an immune system is presented by incorporating the danger model. The populations involved are tumor cells, CD8+T-cells, natural killer cells (NK-cells), dendritic cells (DCs) and cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12). A key feature of this work is the inclusion of the danger model into the dynamics of the immune system, which is rarely considered by previous works. Regarding the constructed mathematical model, both the location of equilibria and their stability properties are discussed, which are useful not only to gain a broad understanding of the specific system dynamics, but also to help guide the development of therapies. Moreover, numerical simulations of the system with chemotherapy and immunotherapy by using specific parameters are presented to illustrate that proper therapy is able to eliminate the entire tumor. In addition, we illustrate cases for which neither chemotherapy nor immunotherapy alone are able to control tumor growth, but a combination treatment is sufficient to eliminate the tumor cells.
ELECTRODEPOSITION OF COPPER ONTO POLYPYRROLE FILMS: APPLICATION TO PROTON REDUCTION
Authors: CHIKOUCHE IMENE , SAHARI ALI , ZOUAOUI AHMED , ZEGADI AMEUR
Published: August 2015

In this paper, we have electrodeposited copper on polypyrrole surface. Results show that at high applied cathodic potential ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]1.8[Formula: see text]V), copper electrodeposition occurs with difficulties. The amount of electrodeposited copper is low (1.32%) and it is limited by the low polypyrrole conductivity. At this potential, poor conductivity is caused by its insulating state. However, at an applied cathodic potential of [Formula: see text]1.2[Formula: see text]V, the polypyrrole exhibits a relatively high conductivity and copper particles are electrodeposited with large amounts (12.44%) on polypyrrole/silicon system. At high applied cathodic potential, the SEM images show clearly dispersed grains of copper, but polypyrrole surface is less occupied. At an applied cathodic potential of [Formula: see text]1.2[Formula: see text]V, the SEM image shows that polypyrrole surface is homogenously more occupied with copper. After copper deposition, the Cu/PPy/Si system is used to catalyze the hydrogen reaction. It was found that, once the deposited copper is present with considerable amounts, the proton reduction occurs easily. As for the polypyrrole conductivity, it was found that electrodeposited copper onto PPy/Si surface affect the total conductivity.
Rainbow connectivity of the non-commuting graph of a finite group
Authors: Wei Yulong , Ma Xuanlong , Wang Kaishun
Published: August 2015

Let [Formula: see text] be a finite non-abelian group. The non-commuting graph [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] has the vertex set [Formula: see text] and two distinct vertices [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are adjacent if [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is the center of [Formula: see text]. We prove that the rainbow [Formula: see text]-connectivity of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]. In particular, the rainbow connection number of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text]. Moreover, for any positive integer [Formula: see text], we prove that there exist infinitely many non-abelian groups [Formula: see text] such that the rainbow [Formula: see text]-connectivity of [Formula: see text] is [Formula: see text].
The Ado theorem for finite Lie conformal algebras with Levi decomposition
Authors: Kolesnikov Pavel
Published: August 2015

We prove that a finite torsion-free conformal Lie algebra with a splitting solvable radical has a finite faithful conformal representation.
Finite groups with exactly one composite character degree
Authors: Liu Yan-Jun , Liu Yang
Published: August 2015

Motivated by Isaacs and Passman’s characterization of finite groups all of whose nonlinear complex irreducible characters have prime degrees, we investigate finite groups [Formula: see text] with exactly one character degree that is not a prime. We show that either [Formula: see text] is solvable with [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text] for distinct primes [Formula: see text], or up to an abelian direct factor, [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to the alternating group [Formula: see text].
Diophantine properties of continued fractions on the Heisenberg group
Authors: Vandehey Joseph
Published: August 2015

We provide several results on the Diophantine properties of continued fractions on the Heisenberg group, many of which are analogous to classical results for real continued fractions. In particular, we show an analog of Khinchin’s theorem and we also show that convergents are the best rational approximations up to a constant factor of the denominator.
An exponential collocation method for the solutions of the HIV infection model of CD4+T cells
Authors: Yüzbaşı Şuayip
Published: August 2015

In this paper, an exponential method is presented for the approximate solutions of the HIV infection model of CD4[Formula: see text]T. The method is based on exponential polynomials and collocation points. This model problem corresponds to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. Matrix relations are constructed for the exponential functions. By aid of these matrix relations and the collocation points, the proposed technique transforms the model problem into a system of nonlinear algebraic equations. By solving the system of the algebraic equations, the unknown coefficients are computed and thus the approximate solutions are obtained. The applications of the method for the considered problem are given and the comparisons are made with the other methods.
Fabrication of a polyvinylidene difluoride fiber with a metal core and its application as directional air flow sensor
Authors: Bian Yixiang , Liu Rongrong , Hui Shen
Published: August 2015

We fabricated a sensitive air flow detector that mimic the sensing mechanism found at the tail of some insects. [see Y. Yang, A. Klein, H. Bleckmann and C. Liu, Appl. Phys. Lett. 99(2) (2011); J. J. Heys, T. Gedeon, B. C. Knott and Y. Kim, J. Biomech. 41(5), 977 (2008); J. Tao and X. Yu, Smart Mat. Struct. 21(11) (2012)]. Our bionic airflow sensor uses a polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) microfiber with a molybdenum core which we produced with the hot extrusion tensile method. The surface of the fiber is partially coated with conductive silver adhesive that serve as surface electrodes. A third electrode, the metal core is used to polarize polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) under the surface electrodes. The cantilever beam structure of the prepared symmetric electrodes of metal core piezoelectric fiber (SMPF) is used as the artificial hair airflow sensor. The surface electrodes are used to measure output voltage. Our theoretical and experimental results show that the SMPF responds fast to air flow changes, the output charge has an exponential correlation with airflow velocity and a cosine relation with the direction of airflow. Our bionic airflow sensor with directional sensing ability can also measure air flow amplitude. [see H. Droogendijk, R. G. P. Sanders and G. J. M. Krijnen, New J. Phys. 15 (2013)]. By using two surface electrodes, our sensing circuit further improves sensitivity.
Outer-connected independence in graphs
Authors: Hamid I. Sahul , Gnanaprakasam R. , Mary M. Fatima
Published: August 2015

A set S ⊆ V(G) is an independent set if no two vertices of S are adjacent. An independent set S such that 〈V - S〉 is connected is called an outer-connected independent set(oci-set). An oci-set is maximal if it is not a proper subset of any oci-set. The minimum and maximum cardinality of a maximal oci-set are called respectively the outer-connected independence number and the upper outer-connected independence number. This paper initiates a study of these parameters.
Agents with four categories of understanding abilities and their role in two-stage (deep) emotional intelligence simulation
Authors: Ören Tuncer , Kazemifard Mohammad , Noori Fariba
Published: August 2015

Understanding is the essence of any intelligent system. We revise our four machine understanding paradigms which are: (i) basic understanding, (ii) rich understanding, (iii) exploratory understanding, and (iv) theory-based understanding; and we elaborate on the first two of them. We then introduce the concept of two-stage (or deep) machine understanding which provides descriptive understandings, as well as evaluations of these understandings. After a brief systematization of emotions, we cover the following paradigms for agents with two-stage (deep) understanding abilities for emotional intelligence simulation: (i) basic understanding, (ii) rich-understanding, and (iii) switchable understanding.
Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Biological Applications
Authors: Wang Tingting , Jiao Yang , Chai Qinyuan , Yu Xinjun
Published: August 2015

Gold nanoparticles ( AuNPs ) as one of the most stable metal nanoparticles have demonstrated extensive applications in recent years. In this review, the synthetic methods to AuNPs were discussed, which included citrate reduction, Brust–Schiffrin method, ligand-stabilized AuNPs and so on, followed with the synthetic mechanisms. Special emphasis was made on polymer modified AuNPs in biomedical applications, especially for polymer/ AuNPs conjugated in the field of cancer therapy and early diagnosis. The applications based on optoelectronic properties, which was related to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect, were also summarized as biosensors for labeling and detection.
Measurement of Latent Heat of Tetra-n-Butyl Ammonium Bromide Hydrate and Specific Enthalpy of Its Slurry
Authors: Kumano Hiroyuki , Asaoka Tatsunori , Hayashi Tatsuya , Zhang Peng
Published: August 2015

The specific heat of a tetra-n-butyl ammonium bromide (TBAB) aqueous solution, the latent heat of a TBAB hydrate, and the specific enthalpy of a TBAB hydrate slurry were measured to understand the thermal storage characteristics of TBAB hydrate slurry. A solution sample and the hydrate slurry were heated, the change in temperature was measured, and the specific heat of the TBAB aqueous solution and the specific enthalpy of the hydrate slurry were obtained from the change in temperature. Two types of TBAB hydrate form. Therefore, the hydrates were separated from the hydrate slurry formed from TBAB aqueous solution having several initial concentrations. The hydrate crystals were placed into solution, and the latent heats were obtained from the temperature change of the solution. The specific enthalpy of the hydrate slurry was estimated from the latent heats of the hydrate crystals and the specific heat of the solution under phase equilibrium conditions, and the measured and estimated values were compared.
Industrial structural geology: principles, techniques and integration: an introduction
Authors: Richardson Nicholas J. , Richards Francis L. , Rippington Stephen J. , Bond Clare E. , Wilson Robert W.
Published: August 2015

This volume explores how structural geology can be applied to industrial activities. It includes case studies that exhibit the state of the art and provides an overview of current and future trends in structural geology. The constituent papers cover a wide range of topics, including regional tectonics; trap and prospect definition; fault, fold and fracture analysis; seal analysis; interpretation of geophysical, borehole, core and outcrop data. The volume demonstrates how structural concepts ultimately create value and how academic institutions, specialist consultants and operating companies work together at a variety of scales and in varied geological settings to explore for and produce natural resources for the economic benefit of society.
Scalable Preparation of Freestanding Flexible Si Nanoparticles-Carbon Nanotubes Composite Paper Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries and Their Prelithiation by Stabilized Lithium Metal Powder
Authors: Yao Kang , Zheng Jim P , Liang Richard
Published: August 2015

Freestanding flexible light-weight silicon nanoparticles-carbon nanotubes (SiNPs-CNTs) composite paper anodes for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) have been prepared by ultrasonication and pressure filtration without adoption of conductive additive, binder or current collector. Electrochemical testing has shown that the SiNPs-CNTs composite electrode material achieves first cycle specific discharge and charge capacities of 2298 and 1492 mAh/g, respectively. To address the first cycle irreversibility, stabilized lithium metal powder (SLMP) has been utilized to prelithiate our composite anodes. Compared to cell without SLMP, the cell with an SLMP loading of SLMP/anode mass ratio of 0.26 has the first cycle irreversible capacity loss reduced from 806 to 28 mAh/g and the first cycle coulombic efficiency increased from 65 to 98%. The relationship between different SLMP loading and the cell performance has been established to optimize the construction of Si-based cells.
Evaluation of Composite Helices Used as Anodes for Rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries
Authors: Polat Deniz Billur , Keles Ozgul
Published: August 2015

Helices made of varying Cu-Si atomic ratios (10-90, 20-80, 30-70%) are fabricated by an ion-assisted glancing angle co-deposition technique. Cu is added into the electrode because of its ductility and electron conductivity. Thus, Cu holds the electrode together, minimizing overall capacity loss and enabling faster electron transfer. Plus, Cu is inactive versus Li+; therefore, Cu/Si variation in the films is expected to affect the physical and electrochemical performances of the electrodes. The morhological analyses demonstrate that an increase in Cu/Si atomic ratio affects the width of the helices and the homogeneity in the thin film morphology. The galvanostatic tests show that Sample 1 (with 30%at.Cu) performs 3389 mAh g-1 with 49% capacity retention where as Samples 2 (with 20%at.Cu) and 3 deliver 1885 and 1680 mAh g-1as initally discharge capacities and retain 77% and 53% of their first discharge capacities after 100th cycle.
Thermofluids Analysis of the Coolant Flow during Lithium-Ion Battery Operation
Authors: Serincan Mustafa Fazil , Tabatabaei Malazi Mahdi
Published: August 2015

A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model is developed to study thermal management of a lithium ion battery. Model geometry consists of a lithium polymer pouch cell and an aluminum plate with the cooling channels grooved inside. 40 Ah commercial cells are considered in this study. Heat generation during discharge of the battery is characterized as a function of state of charge, discharge rate and temperature based on the experimental results reported elsewhere. Non-isothermal momentum equation and energy equation are solved to account for the coupled thermofluids phenomena in the solid and fluid domains. Steady state simulations are carried out for different geometric and operational parameters to propose a design enhancing heat removal rates during typical discharge modes of the battery. Temperature rise in the cell, temperature difference and pressure drop in the coolant and weight of the battery pack are the main design criteria for the thermal management system.
Comparing the Effect of Oxygen Stoichiometry on the Behavior of Li2MnO3 in Pure Phase and Li-rich Forms
Authors: Jacob Clement , Jian Jie , Guillemette Renald , Wang Haiyan
Published: August 2015

This work presents an investigation on the effect of oxygen stoichiometry on the behavior of Li2MnO3 and related cathode materials using a thin film deposition technique. It is shown that pure Li2MnO3 and Li2MnO3-based Li-rich cathodes behave very differentlywhen prepared under similar oxygen partial pressure. Li-rich cathodes perform the best when deposited at low oxygen partial pressure while Li2MnO3requiresa moderate partial pressure for optimum capacity. This behavior is attributed to impurity formation in pure Li2MnO3 at low oxygen stoichiometry as well as stabilization of Li2MnO3 by the LiMO2 (M= Ni,Co,Mn)matrix in the case of the Li-rich cathodes.
Real Time Nanogravimetric Monitoring of Corrosion for Nuclear Decommissioning
Authors: Tzagkaroulakis Ioannis , Boxall Colin
Published: August 2015

Monitoring and understanding of corrosion on nuclear sites plays a key role in safe asset management (predicting plant life, assessing efficacy of corrosion inhibitors for plant lifetime extension) and supporting informed choice of decontamination methods for steels due for decommissioning. Recent advances in Quartz Crystal Nanobalance (QCN) technology offer a means to monitor corrosion in-situ in radiologically harsh environments, in real time and with high sensitivity. Oxalic acid has been widely used in nuclear plants and installations as a corrosion inhibitor for carbon steels and as a decontamination cleaning agent due to its ability to remove rust from the surface of ferritic metals and alloys. As an exemplar system for decontamination, the corrosion behavior of mild carbon steel and pure iron samples in 1 wt% to 8wt% oxalic acid solutions have, for the first time, been measured and compared in real time and in situ using the QCN. Corrosion rates measured using the QCN are found to agree with those obtained using corrosion current (iCORR) measurements, with the added advantages of: (i) real time and potentially in situ and higher sensitivity measurement; (ii) reduced uncertainty in the conversion of the QCN measured frequency change to a mass change-based corrosion rate compared to the conversion of the icorr measured by LSV with Tafel extrapolation to similar; (iii) the provision of mechanistic insights into the action of oxalic acid on Fe-rich steels.
Potassium currents dynamically set the recruitment and firing properties of F-type motoneurons in neonatal mice
Authors: Leroy Félix , Lamotte d'Incamps Boris , Zytnicki Daniel
Published: August 2015

In neonatal mice, fast- and slow-type motoneurons display different patterns of discharge. In response to a long liminal current pulse, the discharge is delayed up to several seconds in fast-type motoneurons and their firing frequency accelerates. In contrast, slow-type motoneurons discharge immediately, and their firing frequency decreases at the beginning of the pulse. Here, we identify the ionic currents that underlie the delayed firing of fast-type motoneurons. We find that the firing delay is caused by a combination of an A-like potassium current that transiently suppresses firing on a short time scale and a slowly-inactivating potassium current that inhibits the discharge over a much longer time scale. We then show how these intrinsic currents dynamically shape the discharge threshold and the frequency-input function of fast-type motoneurons. These currents contribute to the orderly recruitment of motoneurons in neonates and might play a role in the postnatal maturation of motor units.
Lack of depth constancy for grasping movements in both virtual and real environments
Authors: Bozzacchi Chiara , Domini Fulvio
Published: August 2015

Recent studies on visuomotor processes using virtual setups have suggested that actions are affected by similar biases as perceptual tasks. In particular, a strong lack of depth constancy is revealed, resembling biases in perceptual estimates of relative depth. With this study we aim to understand whether these findings are mostly caused by a lack of metric accuracy of the visuomotor system or by the limited cues provided by the use of virtual reality. We addressed this issue by comparing grasping movements towards a spherical object located at four distances (420, 450, 480, and 510 mm) performed in three conditions: 1) virtual, in which the target was a virtual object defined by binocular cues, 2) glow-in-the-dark, in which the object was painted with luminous paint but no other cue was provided, and 3) full-cue, in which the movement was performed with the lights on and all the environmental information was available. Results revealed a striking effect of object distance on grip aperture equally in all three conditions. Specifically, grip aperture gradually decreased with increase in object distance, proving a consistent lack of depth constancy. These findings clearly demonstrate that systematic biases in grasping actions are not induced by the use of virtual environments and that action and perception may involve the same visual information, which does not engage a metric reconstruction of the scene.
Spike timing precision changes with spike rate adaptation in the owl's auditory space map
Authors: Keller Clifford H. , Takahashi Terry T.
Published: August 2015

Spike rate adaptation (SRA) is a continuing change of responsiveness to ongoing stimuli, which is ubiquitous across species and levels of sensory systems. Under SRA, auditory responses to constant stimuli change over time, relaxing toward a long-term rate often over multiple timescales. With more variable stimuli, SRA causes the dependence of spike rate on sound pressure level to shift toward the mean level of recent stimulus history. A model based on subtractive adaptation (Benda J, Hennig RM. J Comput Neurosci 24: 113–136, 2008) shows that changes in spike rate and level dependence are mechanistically linked. Space-specific neurons in the barn owl's midbrain, when recorded under ketamine-diazepam anesthesia, showed these classical characteristics of SRA, while at the same time exhibiting changes in spike timing precision. Abrupt level increases of sinusoidally amplitude-modulated (SAM) noise initially led to spiking at higher rates with lower temporal precision. Spike rate and precision relaxed toward their long-term values with a time course similar to SRA, results that were also replicated by the subtractive model. Stimuli whose amplitude modulations (AMs) were not synchronous across carrier frequency evoked spikes in response to stimulus envelopes of a particular shape, characterized by the spectrotemporal receptive field (STRF). Again, abrupt stimulus level changes initially disrupted the temporal precision of spiking, which then relaxed along with SRA. We suggest that shifts in latency associated with stimulus level changes may differ between carrier frequency bands and underlie decreased spike precision. Thus SRA is manifest not simply as a change in spike rate but also as a change in the temporal precision of spiking.
Lower neuronal variability in the monkey dorsolateral prefrontal than posterior parietal cortex
Authors: Qi Xue-Lian , Constantinidis Christos
Published: August 2015

The dorsolateral prefrontal and posterior parietal cortex are two brain areas involved in cognitive functions such as spatial attention and working memory. When tested with identical tasks, only subtle differences in firing rate are present between neurons recorded in the two areas. In this article we report that major differences in neuronal variability characterize the two areas during working memory. The Fano factors of spike counts in dorsolateral prefrontal neurons were consistently lower than those of the posterior parietal cortex across a range of tasks, epochs, and conditions in the same monkeys. Variability differences were observed despite minor differences in firing rates between the two areas in the tasks tested and higher overall firing rate in the prefrontal than in the posterior parietal sample. Other measures of neuronal discharge variability, such as the coefficient of variation of the interspike interval, displayed the same pattern of lower prefrontal variability. Fano factor values were negatively correlated with performance in the working memory task, suggesting that higher neuronal variability was associated with diminished task performance. The results indicate that information involving remembered stimuli is more reliably represented in the prefrontal than the posterior parietal cortex based on the variability of neuronal responses, and suggest functional differentiation between the two areas beyond differences in firing rate.
Overlapping representations for reach depth and direction in caudal superior parietal lobule of macaques
Authors: Hadjidimitrakis Kostas , Dal Bo' Giulia , Breveglieri Rossella , Galletti Claudio , Fattori Patrizia
Published: August 2015

Reaching movements in the real world have typically a direction and a depth component. Despite numerous behavioral studies, there is no consensus on whether reach coordinates are processed in separate or common visuomotor channels. Furthermore, the neural substrates of reach depth in parietal cortex have been ignored in most neurophysiological studies. In the medial posterior parietal area V6A, we recently demonstrated the strong presence of depth signals and the extensive convergence of depth and direction information on single neurons during all phases of a fixate-to-reach task in 3-dimensional (3D) space. Using the same task, in the present work we examined the processing of direction and depth information in area PEc of the caudal superior parietal lobule (SPL) in three Macaca fascicularis monkeys. Across the task, depth and direction had a similar, high incidence of modulatory effect. The effect of direction was stronger than depth during the initial fixation period. As the task progressed toward arm movement execution, depth tuning became more prominent than directional tuning and the number of cells modulated by both depth and direction increased significantly. Neurons tuned by depth showed a small bias for far peripersonal space. Cells with directional modulations were more frequently tuned toward contralateral spatial locations, but ipsilateral space was also represented. These findings, combined with results from neighboring areas V6A and PE, support a rostral-to-caudal gradient of overlapping representations for reach depth and direction in SPL. These findings also support a progressive change from visuospatial (vergence angle) to somatomotor representations of 3D space in SPL.
mTOR in Brain Physiology and Pathologies
Authors: Bockaert Joël , Marin Philippe
Published: August 2015

TOR (target of rapamycin) and its mammalian ortholog mTOR have been discovered in an effort to understand the mechanisms of action of the immunosuppressant drug rapamycin extracted from a bacterium of the Easter Island (Rapa Nui) soil. mTOR is a serine/threonine kinase found in two functionally distinct complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, which are differentially regulated by a great number of nutrients such as glucose and amino acids, energy (oxygen and ATP/AMP content), growth factors, hormones, and neurotransmitters. mTOR controls many basic cellular functions such as protein synthesis, energy metabolism, cell size, lipid metabolism, autophagy, mitochondria, and lysosome biogenesis. In addition, mTOR-controlled signaling pathways regulate many integrated physiological functions of the nervous system including neuronal development, synaptic plasticity, memory storage, and cognition. Thus it is not surprising that deregulation of mTOR signaling is associated with many neurological and psychiatric disorders. Preclinical and preliminary clinical studies indicate that inhibition of mTORC1 can be beneficial for some pathological conditions such as epilepsy, cognitive impairment, and brain tumors, whereas stimulation of mTORC1 (direct or indirect) can be beneficial for other pathologies such as depression or axonal growth and regeneration.
Coupled Thermal Field of the Rotor of Liquid Floated Gyroscope
Authors: Zhengjun Wang , Yiyong Yang , Jianzhong Yang
Published: August 2015

Inertial navigation devices include star sensor, GPS, and gyroscope. Optical fiber and laser gyroscopes provide high accuracy, and their manufacturing costs are also high. Magnetic suspension rotor gyroscope improves the accuracy and reduces the production cost of the device because of the influence of thermodynamic coupling. Therefore, the precision of the gyroscope is reduced and drift rate is increased. In this study, the rotor of liquid floated gyroscope, particularly the dished rotor gyroscope, was placed under a thermal field, which improved the measurement accuracy of the gyroscope. A dynamic theory of the rotor of liquid floated gyroscope was proposed, and the thermal field of the rotor was simulated. The maximum stress was inx, 1.4;y, 8.43; min 97.23; and max 154.34. This stress occurred at the border of the dished rotor at a high-speed rotation. The secondary flow reached 5549 r/min, and the generated heat increased. Meanwhile, the high-speed rotation of the rotor was volatile, and the dished rotor movement was unstable. Thus, nanomaterials must be added to reduce the thermal coupling fluctuations in the dished rotor and improve the accuracy of the measurement error and drift rate.
A Wideband Dual-Polarized Antenna Using Planar Quasi-Open-Sleeve Dipoles for Base Station Applications
Authors: Zhang Guan-xi , Sun Li , Sun Bao-hua
Published: August 2015

A wideband dual-polarized antenna for WLAN, WiMAX, and LTE base station applications is presented in this paper. The proposed antenna consists of two pairs of orthogonal planar quasi-open-sleeve dipoles along the centerlines, a balanced feeding structure and a square ground plane. The planar quasi-open-sleeve dipole comprises a pair of bowtie-shaped planar dipoles with two parallel curve parasitic elements. The introduced parallel curve parasitic elements change the path of the current of the original bowtie-shaped planar dipoles at high frequencies and hence wideband characteristic is achieved. Two pairs of the planar quasi-open-sleeve dipoles placed orthogonally further broaden the bandwidth of the antenna with dual-polarization characteristics. The proposed antenna achieves a 10-dB return loss bandwidth from 2.32 to 4.03 GHz (53.9% bandwidth) using the planar quasi-open-sleeve dipole structures. The isolation between the two ports remains more than 32 dB in the whole bandwidth. Measured results show that the proposed antenna keeps the cross-polarization under −33 dB and the front-to-back ratio better than 15 dB in the operating band. The antenna has an area of 0.3λ  × 0.3λat 2.32 GHz making it easy to be extended to an array element.