bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The negative impact of scientific ideology on education about the moral status of animals
Authors: Probucka Dorota
Published: August 2017

The article presents an analysis of the ethical views of Bernard Rollin, an American zoologist
and philosopher who examined how the education about the moral status of animals has been
affected by the so-called scientific ideology. This way of thinking denies animal suffering and
consciousness in stark contrast with our commonsense knowledge and collective human
experience. Rollin points to positivism and behaviourism as twin philosophical and psychological
sources of this scientific ideology. Positivism rejected the concept of consciousness as a subjective,
metaphysical, unscientific, non-measurable state and separated science from values
and ethics. Behaviourism further obstructed moral reflection on the acceptable methods of
treatment of animals not only by eliminating the category of animal consciousness, but also by
replacing the vocabulary to describe its experimental manifestations with one of observable
actions (reinforcement and aversion). Behaviourism denies animal suffering and other states of
consciousness on the epistemological principle that they are difficult to verify. This paradigm
continues to be successfully applied in modern biomedical laboratories and blinds scientists
to both the pain inflicted on animals and the moral repercussions of animal consciousness.
Positivism and behaviourism alike cast animals as models and biological mechanisms to distort
our understanding of their nature and justify their harm.
The article presents an analysis of the ethical views of Bernard Rollin, an American zoologist
and philosopher who examined how the education about the moral status of animals has
been affected by the so-called scientific ideology. This way of thinking denies animal suffering
and consciousness in stark contrast with our commonsense knowledge and collective human
experience. Rollin points to positivism and behaviourism as twin philosophical and psychological
sources of this scientific ideology. Positivism rejected the concept of consciousness as
a subjective, metaphysical, unscientific, non-measurable state and separated science from values
and ethics. Behaviourism further obstructed moral reflection on the acceptable methods of
treatment of animals not only by eliminating the category of animal consciousness, but also by replacing the vocabulary to describe its experimental manifestations with one of observable
actions (reinforcement and aversion). Behaviourism denies animal suffering and other states of
consciousness on the epistemological principle that they are difficult to verify. This paradigm
continues to be successfully applied in modern biomedical laboratories and blinds scientists
to both the pain inflicted on animals and the moral repercussions of animal consciousness.
Positivism and behaviourism alike cast animals as models and biological mechanisms to distort
our understanding of their nature and justify their harm.
The effect of deformation degree on the
microstructure of the 6060 aluminium
alloy
Authors: Koralnik M. , Adamczyk-Cieślak B. , Kulczyk M. , Mizera J.
Published: August 2017

Purpose: All results obtained in the present study allowed to analyse the changes in
the microstructure and texture of the commercial 6060 aluminium alloy, after deformation
process by severe plastic deformation. There were compare two deformation degree
samples received by cumulative hydrostatic extrusion.
Design/methodology/approach: The samples of the 6060 alloy were subjected to a onepass
and three-passes extrusion process and next the age hardening. The microstructure
changes were investigated by using transmission and scanning electron microscopy. To
study the texture evolution the X-ray diffraction were made.
Findings: The microscopic observations results presented the refinement of microstructure
as a result of deformation process. The evolution of fibrous character of texture was
observed. There were noted the disappearance of fibrous component <100> during
subsequent deformation processes and generation the fibrous component <111> after high
deformation degree. In addition, for each state, the presence of cubic texture component
was recorded.
Research limitations/implications: For the future research are planned to analyse
changes in mechanical properties after hydrostatic extrusion combinate with age hardening
of investigated materials.
Originality/value: The paper focuses on the investigation of microstructure and texture
evolution after modern method of plastic deformation.
QUANTUM CHEMICAL STUDY OF OXIDATION REACTIONS IN UNSATURATED HYDROCARBONS
Authors: Novikova Anna A. , Soloviev Mikhail E.
Published: August 2017

In this article quantum-chemical calculations using DFT B3LYP/cc-pvdz method was used for the investigation of changes in thermodynamic functions of reactions of oxidation of unsaturated hydrocarbons such as heptane and heptadiene as low-molecular models of hydrocarbon residues of lipids. The effect of the position of the reaction center relative to the double bonds and conformations of double bonds on reactivity of the compounds in reactions of hydrogen abstraction by the hydroxyl radical, dioxygen accession and chain propagation were analyzed. By comparison of changes in thermodynamic functions of reactions it was shown that hydrocarbons with cis- conformations of double bonds are characterized with higher reactivity in reactions of hydrogen abstraction but peroxi-radicals of these conformers are more stable. The changes in thermodynamic functions of reaction of hydrogen abstraction for diene according to the calculation are smaller comparing with olefins. This is due to the difference in the stability of the radicals formed. The stability of hydrocarbon radicals of dienes in comparison with olefins is explained by their planar structure with electron density of unpaired electron delocalized between five carbon atoms. The emergence of such pentadienil-type radicals is the cause of a higher oxidation of dienes compared with olefins. The analysis of molecular structures of peroxi-radicals of dienes shows that after accepting dioxygen by hydrocarbon radical the isomerization takes place. According calculations it is preferable for the dioxygen molecule not to join with the central carbon atom from which the hydrogen atom has been abstracted but to attack the double bond joining with C2 carbon atom. During the isomerization the double bond moves to the center of the molecule forming thus the conjugated pair with the other double bond. Comparison of thermodynamic functions of reaction for cis- and trans- isomers shows that cis-trans isomerization is possible during the dioxygen accession to the hydrocarbon radical. These results are in good agreement with the experimental data published earlier.Forcitation:Novikova A.A., Soloviev M.E. Quantum chemical study of oxidation reactions in unsaturated hydrocarbons. Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol. 2017. V. 60. N 7. P. 14-20.
Synergetic CO2 Huff-n-Puff for Edge-Water Fault-Block Reservoir: Experimental and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Hao Hongda , Hou Jirui , Zhao Fenglan , Wang Zhixing , Fu Zhongfeng , Li Wengfeng , Wang Peng , Zhang Meng , Lu Guoyong , Zhou Jian
Published: August 2017

As an effective method for resource utilization, CO2 huff-n-puff can be utilized to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance oil recovery in edge-water flock-block reservoir, which was implemented in Jidong Oil Field, China since 2008 with oil production of 6.5×104 bbls by 2015. During operation period, synergetic effect was observed in adjacent wells with water cut drops and oil increments in a horizontal well group. Experimental and numerical simulations were conducted to investigate synergetic mechanisms of CO2 huff-n-puff. 3D physical models with a horizontal well group and edge-water-driving system were established in laboratory to simulate the edge-water fault-block reservoir. The formation mechanisms and influence factors of synergetic CO2 huff-n-puff were studied through laboratory experiments. Base reservoir model was also built to further discuss the synergetic types and injection allocations for CO2 huff-n-puff in horizontal well group.

Synergetic CO2 huff-n-puff is a smart gas cycling strategy for the horizontal well group to balance the formation pressure and replace the interwell oil. Experimental and numerical results showed that after CO2 injected into low tectonic position of the reservoir, synergetic effect could be observed in high position well with water cut drops and oil increments. The mechanisms of synergetic effect can be recognized as formation energy supplement, gas sweeping, gravity segregation and CO2-assisted edge-water driving. The stratigraphic dip and heterogeneity are advantages for the formation of synergetic effect. The synergetic types of CO2 huff-n-puff can be summarized as single-well synergy and multi-well synergy. For single-well synergy, edge-water invasion can be effectively controlled by energy supplement after CO2 injected into relatively low position well. For multi-well synergy, better synergetic effect and remaining oil replacement can be achieved after gas injected through different positions of the well group. The development efficiency of synergetic CO2 huff-n-puff can be enlarged with 700t CO2 injected into low position well + 100t CO2 into high position well, and about 5767.9 bbls oil of the well group could be recovered with the soaking time of 50d.
Stabilized CO2 Foam for EOR Applications
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed Farid , Emrani Arezoo , Nasraldin Hisham
Published: August 2017

The practice of injecting CO2 for oil production was initiated in the 1950's. Today, CO2 flooding is an established technique to enhance oil recovery (EOR), and CO2 capture and storage in deep geologic formations is being studied for mitigating carbon emissions. CO2-foam has been used to improve the sweep efficiency as a replacement for polymers to avoid formation damage. Although it is common to use surfactants to generate and stabilize foams, they tend to degrade at high temperatures (212°F), high-salinity environments, and in contact with crude oil. Adding nanoparticles is a new technique to stabilize CO2 foams. The present work evaluates new foaming solutions that incorporate nanoparticles and viscosifiers to investigate the mobility-control performance when these foams are used as EOR fluids.

This study investigates the stability of alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS) foam and the corresponding mobility-reduction factor (MRF) for different foam solutions in the presence of nanoparticles and viscosifiers. To achieve this objective, foam stability was studied for various solutions to find the optimal solution at which higher foam stability in the CO2 foam system can be reached. Coreflood tests were also conducted on different Buff Berea sandstone cores at 150˚F saturated initially with a dead crude oil. The CO2 foam was injected with 80% quality as tertiary recovery mode. The oil recovery and the pressure drop across the core were then measured for different foam solutions.

Adding silica nanoparticles (0.1 wt%) and viscoelastic surfactant (VES) (0.4 wt%) to the AOS (0.5 wt%) solution improves both foam stability and MRF. In contact with crude oil, unstable oil-in-water emulsion formed inside the foam lamella that decreased the foam stability. A weak foam was formed for AOS solutions, but the foam stability increased by adding nanoparticles and VES. The oil recovery from the conventional water flooding (as a secondary recovery before foam injection) ranged from 40 to 48% of the original oil-in-place. AOS was not able to enhance the oil recovery with an apparent viscosity similar to that for the water/gas system (with no AOS in the solution), and no more oil was recovered by AOS foam. The addition of nanoparticles and VES to the solution improved the foam MRF and allowed extra oil production (8% in presence of nanoparticles, 15% by adding nanoparticles and VES).
Individuals’ Assessment of Corporate Social Performance, Person-Organization Values and Goals Fit, Job Satisfaction and Turnover Intentions
Authors: Hudson Sarah , Bryson Douglas , Michelotti Marco
Published: August 2017

Recent research in the domain of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has underlined the importance of moving away from an institutional perspective of CSR towards research at the micro-level. Such calls have insisted on the necessity of a developing a deeper, and more nuanced understanding of its impacts and mechanisms at the individual level. This paper addresses this issue by focusing on the nexus between how employees judge their companies’ actual CSR performance and how that judgement can affect individual, micro-level outcomes such as job satisfaction and turnover intentions. We study this by a consideration of how perceived fit between employees and their organization mediates the relationship between perceived corporate social performance (CSP) on the one hand, and job satisfaction and turnover intentions on the other.

While there is a notion, commonly embraced in the literature, that corporate social performance can have beneficial effects on individual employee outcomes, there have not been many empirical studies looking into the mechanisms by which this occurs. Through a survey of 317 young employees from differing company sizes and sectors in Europe and Asia, we find that positive assessment of CSP does not have a direct influence on job satisfaction and turnover intention, but is mediated by person-organization fit. The latter, in turn, has a positive effect on job satisfaction and reduced turnover intention.

The implications of these findings are that the achievement of efficient and effective performance in social and environmental terms reinforces the perception of employees that their values fit with those of the organization. This process then creates value in terms of increased job satisfaction and reduced employee turnover intentions. We note also that simply improving CSP objectively, without involving and raising awareness among employees, will not necessarily lead to improved perceptions of how the employee fits within the organization and the potential positive knock-on employee outcomes.
“You’ve Just Cursed Us”: Precarity, Austerity and Worker’s Participation in the Non-Profit Social Services
Authors: Cunningham Ian , Baines Donna , Shields John
Published: August 2017

Though not monolithic, the non-profit social services sector has been an arena where workers and management participated in various forms of shared planning, service development and organizing the labour process. This included: 1- formal participation processes such as collective bargaining with union representation, and 2- practice-profession or task participation. Drawing on 34 qualitative interviews undertaken with a variety of actors (Chief Executive/Senior Directors, senior operational management, Human Resource Managers, frontline staff, and, where available, union representatives) in two non-profit social service agencies in Ontario (Canada), the article traces how these forms of participation have changed as a result of government austerity policies alongside the expansion of precarious employment and funding in the non-profit sector.

Using exemplar quotes and qualitative analysis, the article shows that worker’s participation in each form has declined, while management simultaneously has extended greater control over the labour process and removed or reduced forums and opportunities for input from staff. In terms of task participation, measurement and governance structure of New Public Management (NPM) and austerity have led to less autonomy and choice, especially in the area of working time. The study also found that unitarist approaches, intolerant of staff voice and possible dissent, have displaced earlier representative participatory approaches that either utilized the management chain, or embraced and worked constructively with unions. Though these pressures existed prior to the introduction of austerity policies, the data show that decreased worker’s participation coincides and is further undermined by the financial and governance processes associated with NPM and austerity-linked cuts in government and other forms of funding. Overall, the data and analysis suggest that participation in the Non-profit Social Services (NPSS) may be another casualty of this current wave of neoliberalism.
Un discours sur la croisade : l’idéologie et l’image de l’autre dans le projet de Marino Sanudo Torsello
Authors: Bontea Cornel
Published: August 2017

Pour Marino Sanudo Torsello, la clé pour reconquérir la Terre sainte est l’Égypte. Le Vénitien a bien saisi l’importance économique et stratégique de l’Empire mamelouk dans l’équation de la recuperatio de la Terre sainte. Par conséquent, il propose un plan de croisade en trois temps : un blocus commercial pour étouffer économiquement l’ennemi, un passage particulier pour harceler les côtes égyptiennes et ainsi affaiblir la puissance mamelouke, et finalement le passage général qui est une croisade à grande échelle. Les ennemis par excellence étant les Sarrasins, Sanudo diabolise l’adversaire pour pouvoir justifier toute agression envers lui. Dans son projet, l’islam est présenté comme le négatif parfait du christianisme, les fidèles du Christ étant toujours en antithèse avec le « peuple de Mahomet ». Les stéréotypes de la première croisade continuent d’être présents dans la pensée du théoricien. Ainsi, les musulmans sont désignés par des termes péjoratifs comme Agarènes, paganus, perfidi, et le prophète Mahomet est présenté comme un homme impur, un brigand et un pseudo-prophète qui a trompé les gens pour imposer sa « fausse doctrine ». Cette image négative de l’ennemi sert un but précis : alimenter la propagande antimusulmane et exhorter les chrétiens à prendre la croix pour reconquérir la Terre sainte qui est aux mains des infidèles.
Punir la désertion en Nouvelle-France : justice, pouvoir et institution militaire de 1742 à 1761
Authors: Fournier Nicolas
Published: August 2017

La désertion est un phénomène important pour les élites militaires. Lorsque la discipline militaire ne parvient pas à contrôler les soldats, les officiers recourent au Conseil de guerre. Au-delà du contrôle de la désertion, la justice militaire et l’octroi de la grâce contribuent à la construction du pouvoir. La gestion de la désertion permet aux élites militaires de gagner une certaine autonomie par rapport à la métropole et de confirmer leur pouvoir sur l’armée. La justice militaire est aussi utilisée par des membres de l’élite militaire pour construire leur pouvoir personnel. Le rituel judiciaire contribue ainsi à la formation des réseaux de contacts, permettant à certains d’obtenir des postes, des distinctions et des grades.
War and Predatory Economy in Northern-Kenya: How Ethnomusicology Can Explore Social Change
Authors: Marmone Giordano
Published: August 2017

La pratique des vols de bétail entre populations pastorales et agro-pastorales a constitué, probablement pendant des siècles, une des formes principales d’activité militaire en Afrique de l’Est ainsi qu’un dispositif incontournable pour la construction du masculin à l’échelle locale. À la moitié des années 1990, dans le Samburu County, au nord du Kenya, un afflux soudain et imposant d’armes automatiques provenant des territoires en guerre de la partie orientale du continent a produit un changement radical des anciens paradigmes de mise en place des razzias. Chez les communautés samburu du mont Nyiro le bouleversement profond des pratiques du conflit a altéré les relations politico-hiérarchiques entre les membres des statuts d’âge des « guerriers » et des anciens en entraînant une alliance militaire aux proportions inédites. L’activité musicale cérémonielle, témoin inattendu de cette transformation, constitue un des espaces d’interaction au sein desquels les nouveaux agencements du système d’âge émergent de manière explicite et sont reproduits dans le temps.
Precipitation, circulation, and cloud variability over the past two decades
Authors: Kao Angela , Jiang Xun , Li Liming , Su Hui , Yung Yuk
Published: August 2017

To better understand the variability of precipitation, circulation, and cloud, we examine the precipitation, vertical velocity, total cloud fraction, condensed water path, and ice water path from observations and 13 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 5 (CMIP5) models over 1988–2008. All variables are averaged over wet areas and dry areas to investigate temporal variations of different variables over these regions. We found that all models demonstrate similar temporal variations of precipitation as the observational data from the Global Precipitation Climatology Project, with positive trend over wet areas (6.22 ± 3.75 mm/mon/decade) and negative trend over dry areas (−0.77 ± 0.54 mm/mon/decade). Positive trends of vertical velocity, total cloud fraction, condensed water path, and ice water path are also found in the observations and models over the wet areas. Observations also demonstrate decreasing trends of vertical velocity, total clouds, condensed water path, and ice water path over the dry areas, which can be simulated by most models with a few exceptions. The qualitatively consistent trends in these variables (i.e., vertical velocity, cloud, liquid, and ice water contents) as revealed from the observations and CMIPS models provide a clearer picture of the dynamics and physics behind the temporal variations of precipitation over different areas.
Radioactive heat production of six geologically important nuclides
Authors: Ruedas Thomas
Published: August 2017

Heat production rates for the geologically important nuclides 26Al, 40K, 60Fe, 232Th, 235U, and 238U are calculated on the basis of recent data on atomic and nuclear properties. The revised data differ by several percent from some older values but indicate that more recent analyses converge toward values with an accuracy sufficient for all common geoscience applications, although some possibilities for improvement still remain, especially in the case of 40K and with regard to the determination of half‐lives. A Python script is provided for calculating heat production (https://github.com/trg818/radheat).
Using radiocarbon to constrain black and organic carbon aerosol sources in Salt Lake City
Authors: Mouteva Gergana O. , Randerson James T. , Fahrni Simon M. , Bush Susan E. , Ehleringer James R. , Xu Xiaomei , Santos Guaciara M. , Kuprov Roman , Schichtel Bret A. , Czimczik Claudia I.
Published: August 2017

Black carbon (BC) and organic carbon (OC) aerosols are important components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in polluted urban environments. Quantifying the contribution of fossil fuel and biomass combustion to BC and OC concentrations is critical for developing and validating effective air quality control measures and climate change mitigation policy. We used radiocarbon (14C) to measure fossil and contemporary biomass contributions to BC and OC at three locations in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA, during 2012–2014, including during winter inversion events. Aerosol filters were analyzed with the Swiss_4S thermal‐optical protocol to isolate BC. We measured fraction modern (fM) of BC and total carbon in PM2.5 with accelerator mass spectrometry and derived the fM of OC using isotope mass balance. Combined with 14C information of end‐member composition, our data set of 31 14C aerosol measurements provided a baseline of the fossil and contemporary biomass components of carbonaceous aerosol. We show that fossil fuels were the dominant source of carbonaceous aerosol during winter, contributing 88% (80–98%) of BC and 58% (48–69%) of OC. While the concentration of both BC and OC increased during inversion events, the relative source contributions did not change. The sources of BC also did not vary throughout the year, while OC had a considerably higher contemporary biomass component in summer at 62% (49–76%) and was more variable. Our results suggest that in order to reduce PM2.5 levels in Salt Lake City to meet national standards, a more stringent policy targeting mobile fossil fuel sources may be necessary.
Seven years of aerosol scattering hygroscopic growth measurements from SGP: Factors influencing water uptake
Authors: Jefferson A. , Hageman D. , Morrow H. , Mei F. , Watson T.
Published: August 2017

Long‐term measurements of changes in the aerosol scattering coefficient hygroscopic growth at the U.S. Department of Energy Southern Great Plains site provide information on the seasonal as well as size and chemical dependence of aerosol water uptake. Annual average sub‐10 μm fRH values (the ratio of aerosol scattering at 85%/40% relative humidity (RH)) were 1.78 and 1.99 for the gamma and kappa fit algorithms, respectively. The study found higher growth rates in the winter and spring seasons that correlated with a high aerosol nitrate mass fraction. fRH exhibited strong, but differing, correlations with the scattering Ångström exponent and backscatter fraction, two optical size‐dependent parameters. The aerosol organic mass fraction had a strong influence on fRH. Increases in the organic mass fraction and absorption Ångström exponent coincided with a decrease in fRH. Similarly, fRH declined with decreases in the aerosol single scatter albedo. Uncertainty analysis of the fit algorithms revealed high uncertainty at low scattering coefficients and increased uncertainty at high RH and fit parameters values.
Processes Maintaining Tropopause Sharpness in Numerical Models
Authors: Saffin L. , Gray S. L. , Methven J. , Williams K. D.
Published: August 2017

Recent work has shown that the sharpness of the extratropical tropopause declines with lead time in numerical weather prediction models, indicating an imbalance between processes acting to sharpen and smooth the tropopause. In this study the systematic effects of processes contributing to the tropopause sharpness are investigated using daily initialized forecasts run with the Met Office Unified Model over a three‐month winter period. Artificial tracers, each forced by the potential vorticity tendency due to a different model process, are used to separate the effects of such processes. The advection scheme is shown to result in an exponential decay of tropopause sharpness toward a finite value at short lead times with a time scale of 20–24 h. The systematic effect of nonconservative processes is to sharpen the tropopause, consistent with previous case studies. The decay of tropopause sharpness due to the advection scheme is stronger than the sharpening effect of nonconservative processes leading to a systematic decline in tropopause sharpness with forecast lead time. The systematic forecast errors in tropopause level potential vorticity are comparable to the integrated tendencies of the parametrized physical processes suggesting that the systematic error in tropopause sharpness could be significantly reduced through realistic adjustments to the model parametrization schemes.
Surface air relative humidities spuriously exceeding 100% in CMIP5 model output and their impact on future projections
Authors: Ruosteenoja Kimmo , Jylhä Kirsti , Räisänen Jouni , Mäkelä Antti
Published: August 2017

In 17 out of the 29 Phase 5 of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) climate models examined in this work, near‐surface air relative humidity (RH) frequently exceeded 100% with respect to ice in polar areas in winter. The degree of supersaturation varied considerably across the models, and the same evidently applies to the causes of the phenomenon. Consultations with the modeling groups revealed three categories of explanations for supersaturation occurrence: specification of RH with respect to ice rather than liquid water; inconsistencies in the determination of specific humidity and air temperature for the near‐surface level; and the nonlinearity of saturated specific humidity as a function of temperature. Modeled global warming tended to reduce the artificial supersaturations, inducing a spurious negative trend in the future RH change. For example, over East Antarctica under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5, the multimodel mean RH would decrease by about 10% by the end of the ongoing century. Truncation of overly high RHs to a maximum value of 100% cut the RH response close to zero. In Siberia and northern North America, truncation even reversed the sign of the response. The institutes responsible for the CMIP6 model experiments should be aware of the supersaturation issue, and the algorithms used to produce near‐surface RH should be developed to eliminate the problem before publishing the RH output data.
Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Model Tracks in Present and Future Climates
Authors: Nakamura Jennifer , Camargo Suzana J. , Sobel Adam H. , Henderson Naomi , Emanuel Kerry A. , Kumar Arun , LaRow Timothy E. , Murakami Hiroyuki , Roberts Malcolm J. , Scoccimarro Enrico , Vidale Pier Luigi , Wang Hui , Wehner Michael F. , Zhao Ming
Published: August 2017

Western North Pacific tropical cyclone (TC) model tracks are analyzed in two large multimodel ensembles, spanning a large variety of models and multiple future climate scenarios. Two methodologies are used to synthesize the properties of TC tracks in this large data set: cluster analysis and mass moment ellipses. First, the models' TC tracks are compared to observed TC tracks' characteristics, and a subset of the models is chosen for analysis, based on the tracks' similarity to observations and sample size. Potential changes in track types in a warming climate are identified by comparing the kernel smoothed probability distributions of various track variables in historical and future scenarios using a Kolmogorov‐Smirnov significance test. Two track changes are identified. The first is a statistically significant increase in the north‐south expansion, which can also be viewed as a poleward shift, as TC tracks are prevented from expanding equatorward due to the weak Coriolis force near the equator. The second change is an eastward shift in the storm tracks that occur near the central Pacific in one of the multimodel ensembles, indicating a possible increase in the occurrence of storms near Hawaii in a warming climate. The dependence of the results on which model and future scenario are considered emphasizes the necessity of including multiple models and scenarios when considering future changes in TC characteristics.
Relating anomaly correlation to lead time: Clustering analysis of CFSv2 forecasts of summer precipitation in China
Authors: Zhao Tongtiegang , Liu Pan , Zhang Yongyong , Ruan Chengqing
Published: August 2017

Global climate model (GCM) forecasts are an integral part of long‐range hydroclimatic forecasting. We propose to use clustering to explore anomaly correlation, which indicates the performance of raw GCM forecasts, in the three‐dimensional space of latitude, longitude, and initialization time. Focusing on a certain period of the year, correlations for forecasts initialized at different preceding periods form a vector. The vectors of anomaly correlation across different GCM grid cells are clustered to reveal how GCM forecasts perform as time progresses. Through the case study of Climate Forecast System Version 2 (CFSv2) forecasts of summer precipitation in China, we observe that the correlation at a certain cell oscillates with lead time and can become negative. The use of clustering reveals two meaningful patterns that characterize the relationship between anomaly correlation and lead time. For some grid cells in Central and Southwest China, CFSv2 forecasts exhibit positive correlations with observations and they tend to improve as time progresses. This result suggests that CFSv2 forecasts tend to capture the summer precipitation induced by the East Asian monsoon and the South Asian monsoon. It also indicates that CFSv2 forecasts can potentially be applied to improving hydrological forecasts in these regions. For some other cells, the correlations are generally close to zero at different lead times. This outcome implies that CFSv2 forecasts still have plenty of room for further improvement. The robustness of the patterns has been tested using both hierarchical clustering and k‐means clustering and examined with the Silhouette score.
Flexible Active Skin: Large Reconfigurable Arrays of Individually Addressed Shape Memory Polymer Actuators
Authors: Besse Nadine , Rosset Samuel , Zarate Juan Jose , Shea Herbert
Published: August 2017

A high‐resolution flexible active skin with a matrix of 32 × 24 individually addressable tactile pixels on a 4 mm pitch is reported, based on shape memory polymer (SMP) actuators. The intrinsic multistable nature of SMPs, and their more than 100‐fold variation in stiffness over a narrow temperature range, enables dense arrays of actuators exhibiting simultaneously large strokes and high holding forces. The control challenge of addressing a very large number of soft actuators is solved by patterning an array of miniature stretchable heaters on a thin SMP membrane, so that one single pneumatic supply is sufficient to rapidly and selectively reconfigure any or all elements. The device consists of a 40 µm thick SMP layer, on which 32 × 24 stretchable heaters are integrated, interconnected by a flexible printed circuit board, and bonded to a stretchable 3D‐printed pneumatic chamber. Each taxel can be individually controlled via row/column addressing, and requires 2.5 s to latch to a different state. The active skin weighs only 55 g and is 2 mm thick. More than 99% of the 768 taxels are fully functional, with a lifetime in excess of 20 000 cycles. This architecture enables applications in haptic displays, active camouflage, biomimetic robots, microfluidics, and new human machine interfaces.
Synthesis of Ag Nanorods with Highly Tunable Plasmonics toward Optimal Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering Substrates Self‐Assembled at Interfaces
Authors: Tian Xiang‐Dong , Lin Ying , Dong Jin‐Chao , Zhang Yue‐Jiao , Wu Si‐Rong , Liu Si‐Ying , Zhang Yun , Li Jian‐Feng , Tian Zhong‐Qun
Published: August 2017

Ag nanorods receive intensive attention due to the excellent plasmonic properties. However, the difficulty in synthesis of monodisperse Ag nanorods with broad aspect ratios has limited their in‐depth applications. Here, a seed‐mediated method is reported for the synthesis of Ag nanorods with lengths from 65 to 5000 nm, corresponding to aspect ratios from 2 to 156. The plasmonic resonance is tuned from visible to mid‐infrared wavelength. The synthesis protocol relies on robust Au seeds synthesized in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), which induces the one‐dimensional (1D) growth of Ag atoms. To maintain symmetry breaking initiated by the Au seeds, the reduction rate of Ag+ is decreased by adding hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) to form AgCl particles. The optimized conditions to prevent the homogeneous nucleation of Ag nanoparticles and residue of AgCl particles in products are identified, under which the conversion efficiency of Ag ions to Ag nanorods is evaluated about 48%. More importantly, the anisotropic Ag nanorods are self‐assembled into monolayers at interfaces with the long axis of Ag nanorods perpendicular or parallel to the interfaces, respectively. The as‐fabricated monolayers exhibit uniform and reproducible surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activities. The optimal SERS performance is achieved from Ag nanorod monolayer with vertical orientation and the longest rod length.
Asymmetric Intermolecular Rauhut−Currier Reaction for the Construction of 3,3‐Disubstituted Oxindoles with Quaternary Stereogenic Centers
Authors: Wang Hongyu , Wang Kaiye , Man Yunquan , Gao Xiaonan , Yang Limin , Ren Yanfei , Li Na , Tang Bo , Zhao Gang
Published: August 2017

A remote cross Rauhut−Currier reaction utilizing vinyl ketones and para‐quinone methides derived from isatins was realized, which was successfully catalyzed using bifunctional phosphines, furnishing chiral 3,3‐disubstituted oxindoles in excellent enantioselectivities and high yields. The mechanistic studies demonstrated the key role of the alkyl hydrogen of the vinyl ketones, which conceivably interacted with the para‐quinone methide carbonyl group via the hydrogen bond, offering a new insight for the design of novel asymmetric reactions.

magnified image
International aggregate agricultural supply for grain and oilseed: The effects of efficiency and technological change
Authors: Le Clech Nestor , Fillat‐Castejón Carmen
Published: August 2017

This paper analyses the effects of the main determinants of international aggregate agricultural supply. We propose a new model that captures the farmers’ expectations through the storage approach, instead of using Nerlove's basic model. As an innovation, we add the effects of efficiency and technological change directly, thus achieving a more powerful and informative estimation than with the usual dynamic model. Moreover, we consider the effect of climate and construct a sowing and harvesting calendar for each country and each crop to measure the supply more precisely. We also analyze the effects of agricultural prices and their volatility, of commercial policy and of changes in inventories on the suppliers’ decisions. Finally, we examine the differences in these determinants depending on the level of development of the countries. [EconLit citations: Q11, Q16, Q18].
Automated measurements of gas‐liquid mass transfer in micropacked bed reactors
Authors: Zhang Jisong , Teixeira Andrew R. , Jensen Klavs F.
Published: August 2017

Gas‐liquid mass transfer in micropacked bed reactors is characterized with an automated platform integrated with in‐line Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This setup enables screening of a multidimensional parameter space underlying absorption with chemical reaction. Volumetric gas‐liquid mass‐transfer coefficients (kLa) are determined for the model reaction of CO2 absorption in a methyl diethanolamine/water solution. Parametric studies are conducted varying gas and liquid superficial velocities, packed bed dimensions and packing particle sizes. The results show that kLa values are in the range of 0.12∼0.39 s−1, which is about one‐to‐two orders of magnitude larger than those of conventional trickle beds. An empirical correlation predicts kLa in micropacked bed reactors in good agreement with experimental data. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 64: 564–570, 2018
Synthesis of Indolizine‐Containing Diaryl‐ and Triarylmethanes through a Cu‐Catalyzed Domino Cyclization of 2‐(2‐Enynyl)pyridines
Authors: Mahesh Sriram , Paluru Dilip K. , Ahmad Feroz , Patil Swati , Kant Guddi , Anand Ramasamy Vijaya
Published: August 2017

A Cu‐catalyzed protocol for the synthesis of indolizine‐containing diaryl‐ and triarylmethane derivatives through a 5‐endo‐dig cyclization of 2‐(2‐enynyl)pyridines, followed by a remote addition of nucleophiles, such as hydride and 2‐naphthols, is described.
Total Synthesis of Actinophyllic Acid
Authors: Yoshii Yu , Tokuyama Hidetoshi , Chen David Y.‐K.
Published: August 2017

Herein we report a total synthesis of the indolohydroazocine natural product actinophyllic acid. The target molecule was retrosynthetically deconvoluted to render a greatly simplified and symmetrical [4.4.1] bicyclic trienone, the desymmetrization of which was carefully examined under a variety of conditions, including oxidative, reductive, and transition‐metal‐catalyzed transformations. Ultimately, the successful synthetic strategy featured chemoselective catalytic dihydroxylation, desymmetrizing nitrile oxide dipolar cycloaddition, and palladium‐catalyzed aminoarylation to sequentially modify the three olefins within the trienone, followed by a late‐stage reductive cascade indolization and alkylation to complete the target molecule.
Nanocarbons for Catalytic Desulfurization
Authors: Gu Qingqing , Lin Yangming , Heumann Saskia , Su Dangsheng
Published: August 2017

Nanocarbon catalysts are green and sustainable alternatives to metal‐based catalysts for numerous catalytic transformations. The application of nanocarbons for environmental catalysis is an emerging research discipline and has undergone rapid development in recent years. In this focus review, we provide a critical analysis of state‐of‐the‐art nanocarbon catalysts for three different catalytic desulfurization processes. In particular, we focus on the advantages and limitations as well as the reaction mechanisms of the nanocarbon catalysts at the molecular level.
New Bounded Real Lemma Formulation and Control for Continuous‐Time Descriptor Systems
Authors: Chadli M. , Shi P. , Feng Z. , Lam J.
Published: August 2017

This note proposes a new bounded real lemma, involving slack variables, for continuous‐time descriptor systems. The derived result gives necessary and sufficient admissibility conditions in strict linear matrix inequality form. Then, an
control is designed for the underlying systems. The work in this paper extends the results for discrete‐time descriptor systems to continuous‐time case and generalize the standard ones. Illustrative examples are given to verify the effectiveness of the developed results.
Fault‐Tolerant Control Allocation for Overactuated Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Cristofaro Andrea , Polycarpou Marios M. , Johansen Tor Arne
Published: August 2017

This paper addresses the problem of fault‐tolerant control allocation for input affine nonlinear systems. The proposed scheme is divided in three main tasks: fault detection and estimation using a nonlinear observer, fault isolation through a bank of unknown input observers with a resetting policy to reduce the effects of nonlinearities and control reconfiguration based on reduced order allocation. Analytical results regarding the isolability and reconfigurability of actuator faults are derived and a simulation example is used to illustrate the the proposed fault tolerant control methodology.
Oxiracetam or fastigial nucleus stimulation reduces cognitive injury at high altitude
Authors: Hu ShengLi , Shi JianTao , Xiong Wei , Li WeiNa , Fang LiChao , Feng Hua
Published: August 2017

Background

Cognitive impairment is common in people travelling to high altitude. Oxiracetam and electrical stimulation of cerebellar fastigial nucleus may have beneficial impacts. This study was to investigate the effects of preconditioning with Oxiracetam or fastigial nucleus stimulation (FNS) on cognitive decline following the ascension to high altitude.

Methods

The study was conducted on 60 male military voluntary members who were divided into control group, Oxiracetam group, and fastigial nucleus stimulation group. Transcranial doppler sonography, auditory evoked potential, electroencephalogram (EEG), and cognitive assessments were performed.

Results

People could still suffer cognitive dysfunction at 4,000 m high altitude despite that they have lived at 1,800 m altitude for several years. The 4,000 m altitude environment also prolonged P300 and N200 latencies. Both Oxiracetam and FNS improved cognitive function, reduced the prolonged latencies of Event Related Potentials (P300 and N200), decreased the average velocity of brain arteries, and enhanced EEG power spectral entropy at 4,000 m altitude.

Conclusions

Neurophysiological evidences suggest the underlying mechanism of cognitive impairments. Both Oxiracetam and FNS can reduce cognitive decline post arrival at high altitude. They could be a potential pretreatment method for cognitive dysfunction resulted from high altitude.
Understand the art and science of Clery Act compliance
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: August 2017

MILWAUKEE — “I'm tired of talking to families of dead kids because I don't know what to tell them anymore,” said Jim Moore, director of the Clery Act Compliance Division of the United States Department of Education. “We're out of excuses. There are things we have to do better,” he added.
Coronary artery rotation in native and stented porcine coronary arteries
Authors: Challa Karthik K. , Kansal Mayank M. , Frazin Leon , Nikanorov Alex , Kohler Robert , Martinsen Brad J. , Vidovich Mladen I.
Published: August 2017

Introduction

Coronary arteries are exposed to several complex biomechanical forces during the cardiac cycle. These biomechanical forces potentially contribute to both native coronary artery disease, development of atherosclerosis and eventual stent failure. The aim of the present study was to characterize and define coronary artery axial rotation and the effect of stent implantation on this biomechanical factor.

Methods

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images were obtained from porcine coronary arteries and analyzed in ultrasound analysis software used to evaluate myocardial strain and torsion in echocardiography. In this study the software was utilized for a novel application to evaluate coronary artery rotation and time‐to‐peak (TTP) rotation in porcine coronary arteries. Clockwise (CW) and counterclockwise (CCW) rotation of coronary arteries during the cardiac cycle and (TTP) rotation were measured.

Results

A total of 11 (4 LAD, 4 LCX, 3 RCA) coronary artery segments were independently analyzed pre‐ and post‐stent implantation for a total of 22 IVUS runs. CW and CCW rotation and TTP varied widely within coronary artery segments and between different coronary arteries. Stent implantation impacted degree, direction and TTP of coronary rotation. Measurement reliability was assessed and the intraclass correlation coefficient for maximum average CCW was 0.990 (95% confidence interval 0.980–0.996, P < 0.0001), indicating excellent agreement.

Conclusions

Coronary arteries display wide spectrum of CW and CCW rotation during the cardiac cycle. Coronary stents impact the degree and direction of coronary artery rotation. The implications of these findings on development of atherosclerosis and stent failure require further investigation.
The trap and occlude technique for retrograde wire externalization during chronic total occlusion revascularization
Authors: Gasparini Gabriele L. , Oreglia Jacopo A. , Garbo Roberto
Published: August 2017

Different strategies of retrograde approach were introduced in recent years to improve the success rate of percutaneous coronary intervention for coronary chronic total occlusions. The aim of this report is to describe a new technique, called “Trap and Occlude Technique,” for retrograde wire externalization during CTO percutaneous revascularization. This technique may save time and reduce radiation exposure and procedure‐related bleeding.
Expanded phenotype in a patient with spastic paraplegia 7
Authors: Gass Jennifer , Blackburn Patrick R. , Jackson Jessica , Macklin Sarah , van Gerpen Jay , Atwal Paldeep S.
Published: August 2017

Key Clinical Message

Hereditary spastic paraplegia is a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative disorders, often characterized by weakness and spasticity in the lower limbs. In our study, we describe a spastic paraplegia type 7 patient with an expanded phenotype who was diagnosed after the discovery of pathogenic variants in SPG7.
Developmental progression of intellectual disability, autism, and epilepsy in a child with an IQSEC2 gene mutation
Authors: Zipper Rachelle , Baine Sherri D. , Genizi Jacob , Maoz Hen , Levy Nina S. , Levy Andrew P.
Published: August 2017

Key Clinical Message

The neurodevelopmental progression of a school‐aged child with a spontaneous IQSEC2 mutation has demonstrated apparent regression of milestones and language. Seizures associated with the disorder have been refractory to medical treatment. Late treatment of autism in this child has led to improved social skills.