bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structures and properties of low‐shrinkage polypropylene composites
Authors: Wu Li‐Ping , Kang Wu‐Li , Chen Yi , Zhang Xin , Lin Xiao‐Hong , Chen Li‐Ye , Gai Jing‐Gang
Published: October 2016

The high shrinkage and the low impact strength severely limit the applications of the isotactic polypropylene (iPP). In this article, we studied the shrinkage, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the composites consisted of iPP, short glass fiber (GF), maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (MPP), maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene/polyolefin elastomer (MPPPOE) or composite toughening agents (CTAs). The results show that the shrinkage of the composite with 40% GF reduces to 0.0754% (24 h) and 0.0893(48 h), respectively, under room temperature, which is far lower than the shrinkage [1.782% (24 h) and 1.821% (48 h)] of the pure iPP. For the composite of PP/GF/MPPPOE/CTAs (55/30/5/10), the tensile strength increases to 65.53 MPa (33.8 MPa for pure iPP), the tensile modulus is 1445 MPa which is 136% higher than pure iPP, and the izod impact strength reaches 22.72 kJ/m2 (only 5.28 kJ/m2 for pure iPP). Not only the scale stability of iPP is remarkably improved, but also the comprehensive mechanical properties are enhanced drastically. This work may generate potential opportunities for iPP in those applications demanding high scale stability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44275.
Influences of hybrid carbon nanofillers on structures and electrical properties of sulfonated poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole)‐based composite films
Authors: Lee Eunbin , Jeong Young Gyu
Published: October 2016

Sulfonated poly(1,3,4‐oxadiazole) (sPOD)‐based composite films, including 10 wt % hybrid carbon nanofillers composed of different weight ratios of multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and graphene sheets, were manufactured via an efficient ultrasonication‐assisted solution mixing and casting. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of the composite films confirmed the existence of specific interactions between sPOD backbone and MWCNT or graphene sheet. Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) images of cross sections of the composite films showed that 2‐dimensional (2D) graphene sheets formed an anisotropically oriented structure in the sPOD matrix film, but they are randomly dispersed owing to the introduction of 1‐dimensional (1D) MWCNT. Accordingly, the electrical resistivity of the composite films decreased largely from ∼103 Ω cm to ∼101 Ω cm with the increment of the relative MWCNT content in hybrid carbon nanofillers due to the synergistic bridging effect. Thus, sPOD‐based composite films with 10 wt % hybrid carbon nanofillers exhibited high performance in electric heating by attaining rapid temperature responsiveness, high electric power efficiency, and stable maximum temperatures under given applied voltages. It was also revealed that the hybrid composite films were operationally stable over a long‐term stepwise electric heating experiment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44499.
Pebax membrane for CO2/CH4 separation: Effects of various solvents on morphology and performance
Authors: Isanejad Mojgan , Azizi Navid , Mohammadi Toraj
Published: October 2016

In this study, the effects of different solvents on the morphology and permeation of poly(ether‐block‐amide) (Pebax‐1657) membranes were investigated. Pebax membranes were fabricated via a solution casting method with five different solvents, that is, N,N‐dimethyl formamide (DMF), N,N‐dimethyl acetamide (DMAc), N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), formic acid, and a mixture of ethanol (EtOH) with water (H2O). Cross‐sectional scanning electron microscopy analysis of the membranes was performed to investigate the morphology of the prepared membranes. X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis were also carried out to characterize the membranes. The interactions of the polymer and various solvents were evaluated with Hansen solubility parameters. Permeation experiments for CO2 and CH4 gases were performed to study the effects of the solvents on the permeation properties of the membranes. The solvent properties, such as the molar volume, boiling point, and solubility parameters, were investigated as were the membranes characteristics, such as the crystallinity, d‐spacing, and fractional free volume. The results obtained from the experiments show that the CO2 permeability for the membranes prepared with different solvents followed this order: NMP > DMF > Formic acid > DMAc > H2O/EtOH mixture. With increasing molar volume, the gas permeability increased for all of the membranes, except for DMAc, which showed a lower permeability because of its highly crystalline structure. DMF showed a higher CO2/CH4 ideal selectivity compared to the other membranes and, consequently, could be introduced as the best solvent from all aspects for the Pebax‐1657 membrane. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017, 134, 44531.
Performance Analysis of The Auxiliary‐Model‐Based Multi‐Innovation Stochastic Newton Recursive Algorithm for Dual‐Rate Systems
Authors: Cao Pengfei , Luo Xionglin
Published: October 2016

The stochastic Newton recursive algorithm is studied for dual‐rate system identification. Owing to a lack of intersample measurements, the single‐rate model cannot be identified directly. The auxiliary model technique is adopted to provide the intersample estimations to guarantee the recursion process continues. Intersample estimations have a great influence on the convergence of parameter estimations, and one‐step innovation may lead to a large fluctuation or even divergence during the recursion. In the meantime, the sample covariance matrix may appear singular. The recursive process would cease for these reasons. In order to guarantee the recursion process and to also improve estimation accuracy, multi‐innovation is utilized for correcting the parameter estimations. Combining the auxiliary model and multi‐innovation theory, the auxiliary‐model‐based multi‐innovation stochastic Newton recursive algorithm is proposed for time‐invariant dual‐rate systems. The consistency of this algorithm is analyzed in detail. The final simulations confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
A cooperative waiting strategy based on elliptical areas for the Dynamic Pickup and Delivery Problem with Time Windows
Authors: Escuín David , Larrodé Emilio , Millán Carlos
Published: October 2016

The purpose of this paper to present a cooperative scheduling algorithm for solving the Dynamic Pickup and Delivery Problem with Time Windows (DPDPTW). The idea behind cooperative waiting strategies is to calculate simultaneously the waiting times for all nodes in the solution. Classical non‐cooperative scheduling algorithms perform the scheduling for each route independently of the scheduling of the other routes. We present the Cooperative Scheduling Problem (CSP) based on the elliptical areas generated by vehicles waiting at their nodes. The CSP is solved by means of a genetic algorithm and is evaluated by using a set of benchmarks based on real‐life data found in the literature. Initially, two waiting strategies are presented: Wait‐Early‐Time scheduling and Balanced‐Departure scheduling. Extensive empirical simulations have been carried out by analyzing the degree of dynamism and the average waiting time, a new concept defined to take into account the gap between the time windows of pickup and delivery nodes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling delay at signalized intersections with channelized right‐turn lanes considering the impact of blockage
Authors: Farivar Saeedeh , Tian Zong Z.
Published: October 2016

This paper presents a probabilistic delay model for signalized intersections with right‐turn channelization lanes considering the possibility of blockage. Right‐turn channelization is used to improve the capacity and to reduce delay at busy intersections with a lot of right‐turns. However, under heavy traffic conditions the through vehicles will likely block the channelization entrance that accrues delay to right‐turn vehicles. If the right‐turn channelization gets blocked frequently, its advantage in reducing the intersection delay is neglected and as a result the channelization lane becomes inefficient and redundant. The Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) neglects the blockage effect, which may be a reason for low efficiency during peak hours. More importantly, using HCM or other standard traffic control methods without considering the blockage effects would lead to underestimation of the delay. To overcome this issue, the authors proposed delay models by taking into account both deterministic and random aspects of vehicles arrival patterns at signalized intersections. The proposed delay model was validated through VISSIM, a microscopic simulation model. The results showed that the proposed model is very precise and accurately estimates the delay. In addition, it was found that the length of short‐lane section and proportion of right‐turn and through traffic significantly influence the approach delay. For operational purposes, the authors provided a step‐by‐step delay calculation process and presented approach delay estimates for different sets of traffic volumes, signal settings, and short‐lane section lengths. The delay estimates would be useful in evaluating adequacy of the current lengths, identifying the options of extending the short‐lane section length, or changing signal timing to reduce the likelihood of blockage. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meta‐analysis of two studies in the presence of heterogeneity with applications in rare diseases
Authors: Friede Tim , Röver Christian , Wandel Simon , Neuenschwander Beat
Published: October 2016

Random‐effects meta‐analyses are used to combine evidence of treatment effects from multiple studies. Since treatment effects may vary across trials due to differences in study characteristics, heterogeneity in treatment effects between studies must be accounted for to achieve valid inference. The standard model for random‐effects meta‐analysis assumes approximately normal effect estimates and a normal random‐effects model. However, standard methods based on this model ignore the uncertainty in estimating the between‐trial heterogeneity. In the special setting of only two studies and in the presence of heterogeneity, we investigate here alternatives such as the Hartung‐Knapp‐Sidik‐Jonkman method (HKSJ), the modified Knapp‐Hartung method (mKH, a variation of the HKSJ method) and Bayesian random‐effects meta‐analyses with priors covering plausible heterogeneity values; code to reproduce the examples is presented in an appendix. The properties of these methods are assessed by applying them to five examples from various rare diseases and by a simulation study. Whereas the standard method based on normal quantiles has poor coverage, the HKSJ and mKH generally lead to very long, and therefore inconclusive, confidence intervals. The Bayesian intervals on the whole show satisfying properties and offer a reasonable compromise between these two extremes.
Der Zellkern – eine Stadt in der Zelle
Authors: Cremer Thomas , Cremer Marion , Cremer Christoph
Published: October 2016

Gespeicherte genetische Information allein nützt nichts, wenn sie nicht zur richtigen Zeit und am richtigen Ort abgerufen werden kann. Die Verpackung der DNA im Chromatin des Zellkerns und dessen dynamische, raum‐zeitliche Anordnung haben einen entscheidenden Einfluss auf die Genexpression und weitere Funktionen des Zellkerns. In dieser Übersichtsarbeit beschreiben die Verfasser die Entwicklung der experimentellen Zellkernarchitektur‐Forschung und die damit einhergehenden Veränderungen der Vorstellungen zur funktionellen Organisation des Zellkerns.
“Lochfraß” in Lebensmitteln durch Aluminiumfolie
Authors: Högermann Christiane
Published: October 2016

In diesem Beitrag wird ein Phänomen in Theorie und Praxis vorgestellt, das eine Brücke zwischen Alltagsphänomen und biochemischen Reaktionen schlägt: galvanische Vorgänge, die einsetzen, wenn mit Aluminiumfolie abgedeckte, säure‐ und salzhaltige Lebensmittel auf Edelstahlplatten liegen.
Cyanobakterien: Symbiont mit globalem Einfluss
Authors: Tetsch Larissa
Published: October 2016

Ohne Cyanobakterien gäbe es weder Pflanzen noch Tiere, denn erst die Anreicherung der Atmosphäre mit Sauerstoff, dem Nebenprodukt ihrer oxygenen Photosynthese, ermöglichte die Entstehung aerober Lebensformen, und aus endosymbiontischen Cyanobakterien entwickelten sich die Chloroplasten. Seit über 1500 Jahren wird die Fähigkeit der Cyanobakterien zur Stickstofffixierung im Reisanbau genutzt, und heute loten Wissenschaftler ihr Potenzial als Produzent von alternativen Energieträgern aus.
HPTLC and magnetochromatography of new complexes of carboxylates with transition metals or rare earth elements and their ligands – study of lipophilicity
Authors: Malinowska Irena , Wronka Agnieszka , Ferenc Wiesława
Published: October 2016

Nineteen new complexes of carboxylates with transition and rare elements as central ions and their ligands were characterized by chromatographic analyses. The parameter of relative lipophilicity (RM0) of the tested compounds was determined experimentally by the reversed‐phase high‐performance thin layer chromatography method with mixtures of various organic modifiers (acetonitrile, acetone, dioxane) and water as a mobile phase. The extrapolated RM0 values were compared with the logP values calculated from the molecular structures of tested solutes. Similarities between the lipophilicity indices were analysed by principal component analysis and linear regression. Thin‐layer chromatography combined with a magnetic field has been proposed as a complementary method for determination of lipophilicity of the investigated compounds. The chromatograms in the field and outside it were developed simultaneously in two identical chromatographic chambers. One of them was placed in the external magnetic field of 0.4 T inductivity. We proved that chelation causes a drastic change in compound lipophilicity, but all complexes did not exhibit enhanced activity as compared with the parent ligand. Also in the magnetic field the retention of some complexes changed, which means that the presence of the field influences the physicochemical properties of the compounds and their interactions with the stationary phase.
Find ways to make yourself essential to your off‐campus community
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: October 2016

PHOENIX — Earning the trust of your campus community can be difficult, but building trust within the communities outside your campus, especially when those communities pose a very different racial and socioeconomic makeup than the students on your campus, can seem impossible. At the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators annual conference, John Thomas, chief of the Department of Public Safety at the University of Southern California; and Elizabeth Carreño‐Sarabia, community relations manager at USC, explained how the university worked hard to change the USC public safety department's image with nearby communities. Their efforts led to a safer environment both for the campus and for the neighborhood, reducing crime in the areas surrounding the university by 89 percent in four years.
Synthesis of Nω‐Phospho‐l‐arginine by Biocatalytic Phosphorylation of l‐Arginine
Authors: Schoenenberger Bernhard , Wszolek Agata , Milesi Thomas , Brundiek Henrike , Obkircher Markus , Wohlgemuth Roland
Published: October 2016

The Nω‐phospho‐l‐arginine energy‐buffering system is mainly present in invertebrates for regulating energy requirements when it is highly needed, such as in the flight muscles of an insect or when energy supply fluctuates, as in the medically important protozoa Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Leishmania major. The lack of availability of this important metabolite was due to a tedious chemical procedure, by which Nω‐phospho‐l‐arginine was prepared in over 5 reaction steps in a low yield. Therefore, we aimed at improving the synthetic methodology for the preparation of this important metabolite. As site‐ and enantioselective kinases have been very useful catalysts for biocatalytic phosphorylations in straightforward syntheses of phosphorylated metabolites, a stable and selective arginine kinase has been selected for the selective phosphorylation of l‐arginine. The Arg gene has been cloned and expressed in E. coli and a highly active arginine kinase has been prepared. A simple synthesis of Nω‐phospho‐l‐arginine has been developed by arginine kinase catalyzed phosphorylation of l‐arginine combined with the recycling of the phosphorylating agent ATP by using the phosphoenolpyruvate/pyruvate kinase system. After standard work‐up, the desired product Nω‐phospho‐l‐arginine was obtained in gram quantities and in one step.
Recessed Nanoelectrodes for Nanogap Voltammetry
Authors: Bae Je Hyun , Yu Yun , Mirkin Michael V.
Published: October 2016

Exploration of electrochemical properties of nanoconfined species is an area of active interest. In this Communication, recessed Pt nanoelectrodes were prepared by controlled electrochemical etching and evaluated by combination of voltammetry and atomic force microscopy. The effects of ac frequency and ac voltage on the etching process are discussed. Voltammetry was carried out in the nanogap between the etched nanoelectrode and the planar substrate surface. Peak‐shaped steady‐state voltammograms were obtained with a low concentration of supporting electrolyte and fitted to the theory, pointing to the influence of the electrical double layer on transport of a charged redox species within the confined space.
Insight into the Thermal Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Phospha[1]ferrocenophanes
Authors: Khozeimeh Sarbisheh Elaheh , Esteban Flores Jose , Zhu Jianfeng , Müller Jens
Published: October 2016

A mixture of cis/trans isomers of phospha[1]ferrocenophanes equipped with one iPr group at the α position to the bridging PhP moiety was prepared. Both isomers (cis‐4 and trans‐4) were obtained as racemates and could be separated so that their thermal properties were investigated individually. The molecular structure of cis‐4 was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis showing a tilt angle α=26.35(8)°. Interconversion between both isomers occurred in the melt at elevated temperatures and revealed that the trans isomer is thermodynamically more stable. Structural and thermodynamic data was complemented by DFT calculations (B3PW91/6‐311+G(d,p) and B3PW91‐D3(BJ)/6‐311+G(d,p)). Performance of thermal ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of trans‐4 at 230 °C gave polymers and cyclic oligomers. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of the sulfurized polymer resulted in a molecular weight of 62.5 kDa (Mw) and a polydispersity index of 1.39 (PDI). Mass spectrometric analysis of the oligomers showed the presence of cyclic species from dimers to heptamers. After sulfurization, preparative thin layer chromatography led to the separation of three isomeric dimers. Structural characterization of these dimers by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis led to the conclusion that the Fe−Cp bond breaks during the thermal ROP process. A mechanism similar to the known mechanism of the photolytic ROP of ferrocenophanes is proposed.
BOIMPY: Fluorescent Boron Complexes with Tunable and Environment‐Responsive Light‐Emitting Properties
Authors: Lee Boran , Park Byung Gyu , Cho Wansang , Lee Ho Yong , Olasz András , Chen Chun‐Hsing , Park Seung Bum , Lee Dongwhan
Published: October 2016

A series of air‐stable boron complexes 1–5 were prepared by using N‐aryl iminopyrrolide ligands. Designed as minimalist structural mimics of the privileged BODIPY motif, these new BOIMPY (BOron complexes of IMinoPYrrolide ligands) fluorophores feature low molecular symmetry that promotes emission from CT‐type excited states with large Stokes shifts and little self‐quenching. Through comparative studies on the homologous set of compounds 1–4, we have confirmed that a delicate interplay between conformational twisting and donor–acceptor interaction dictates the mechanism of de‐excitation, which responds sensitively to solvent polarity as well as protonation states. Over a wide visible spectral range, the structure‐dependent light‐emitting properties of BOIMPY molecules are well manifested, even in the solid‐state. In order to exploit the environment‐sensitive nature of CT‐type emission, the BOIMPY motif was elaborated further into a bioprobe molecule 5. Live‐cell fluorescence imaging studies have established that 5 is localized exclusively at lipid droplets to produce well‐resolved staining patterns without affecting cell viability. These findings promise future elaboration of BOIMPY‐based functional molecules for applications in biological imaging, chemical sensing, and molecular switching.
Piperazine Functionalization of C70 for Incorporation into Supramolecular Assemblies
Authors: Aghabali Amineh , Jun Sharon , Olmstead Marilyn M. , Balch Alan L.
Published: October 2016

The photochemical reaction of piperazine with C70 produces a mono‐adduct (N(CH2CH2)2NC70) in high yield (67 %) along with three bis‐adducts. These piperazine adducts can combine with various Lewis acids to form crystalline supramolecular aggregates suitable for X‐ray diffraction. The structure of the mono‐adduct was determined from examination of the adduct I2N(CH2CH2)2NI2C70 that was formed by reaction of N(CH2CH2)2NC70 with I2. Crystals of polymeric {Rh2(O2CCF3)4N(CH2CH2)2NC70}n⋅nC6H6 that formed from reaction of the mono‐adduct with Rh2(O2CCF3)4 contain a sinusoidal strand of alternating molecules of N(CH2CH2)2NC70 and Rh2(O2CCF3)4 connected through Rh−N bonds. Silver nitrate reacts with N(CH2CH2)2NC70 to form black crystals of {(Ag(NO3))4(N(CH2CH2)2NC70)4}n⋅7nCH2Cl2 that contain parallel, nearly linear chains of alternating (N(CH2CH2)2NC70 molecules and silver ions. Four of these {Ag(NO3)N(CH2CH2)2NC70}n chains adopt a structure that resembles a columnar micelle with the ionic silver nitrate portion in the center and the nearly non‐polar C70 cages encircling that core. Of the three bis‐adducts, one was definitively identified through crystallization in the presence of I2 as 12{N(CH2CH2)2N}2C70 with addends on opposite poles of the C70 cage and a structure with C2v symmetry. In 12{I2N(CH2CH2)2N}2C70, individual 12{I2N(CH2CH2)2N}2C70 units are further connected by secondary I2⋅⋅⋅N2 interactions to form chains that occur in layers within the crystal. Halogen bond formation between a Lewis base such as a tertiary amine and I2 is suggested as a method to produce ordered crystals with complex supramolecular structures from substances that are otherwise difficult to crystallize.
A prospective study of patients with refractory angina: outcomes and the role of high‐sensitivity troponin T
Authors: Poppi Nilson T. , Gowdak Luís H.W. , Dourado Luciana O.C. , Adam Eduardo L. , Leite Thiago N.P. , Mioto Bruno M. , Krieger José E. , César Luiz A.M. , Pereira Alexandre C.
Published: October 2016

Background

The predictors of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic refractory angina are limited. High‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs‐cTnT) assays are biomarkers that may be used to determine the prognosis of patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Hypothesis

Hs‐cTnT is a predictor of death and nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with refractory angina.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 117 consecutive patients in this study. A heart team ruled out myocardial revascularization feasibility after assessing recent coronary angiograms; evidence of myocardial ischemia served as an inclusion criterion. Optimal medical therapy was encouraged via outpatient visits every 6 months; plasma hs‐cTnT levels were determined at baseline. The primary endpoint was the composite incidence of death and nonfatal MI.

Results

During a median follow‐up period of 28.0 months (interquartile range, 18.0–47.5 months), an estimated 28.0‐month cumulative event rate of 13.4% was determined via the Kaplan‐Meier method. Univariate predictors of the composite endpoint were hs‐cTnT levels and LV dysfunction. Following a multivariate analysis, only hs‐cTnT was independently associated with the events in question, either as a continuous variable (hazard ratio per unit increase in the natural logarithm: 2.83, 95% confidence interval: 1.62‐4.92, P < 0.001) or as a categorical variable (hazard ratio for concentrations above the 99th percentile: 5.14, 95% confidence interval: 2.05‐12.91, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

In patients with chronic refractory angina, plasma concentration of hs‐cTnT is the strongest predictor of death and nonfatal MI. Notably, none of the outcomes in question occurred in patients with baseline plasma levels <5.0 ng/L.
Boosted Supercapacitive Energy with High Rate Capability of aCarbon Framework with Hierarchical Pore Structure in an Ionic Liquid
Authors: Wang Xuehang , Zhou Haitao , Lou Fengliu , Li Yahao , Buan Marthe E. M. , Duan Xuezhi , Walmsley John C. , Sheridan Edel , Chen De
Published: October 2016

The specific energy of a supercapacitor (SC) with an ionic liquid (IL)‐based electrolyte is larger than that using an aqueous electrolyte owing to the wide operating voltage window provided by the IL. However, the wide‐scale application of high‐energy SCs using ILs is limited owing to a serious reduction of the energy with increasing power. The introduction of macropores to the porous material can mitigate the reduction in the gravimetric capacitance at high rates, but this lowers the volumetric capacitance. Synthetic polymers can be used to obtain macroporous frameworks with high apparent densities, but the preservation of the frameworks during activation is challenging. To simultaneously achieve high gravimetric capacitance, volumetric capacitance, and rate capability, a systematic strategy was used to synthesize a densely knitted carbon framework with a hierarchical pore structure by using a polymer. The energy of the SC using the hierarchically porous carbon was 160 Wh kg−1 and 85 Wh L−1 on an active material base at a power of 100 W kg−1 in an IL electrolyte, and 60 % of the energy was still retained at a power larger than 5000 W kg−1. To illustrate, a full‐packaged SC with the material could store/release energy comparable to a Ni–metal hydride battery (gravimetrically) and one order of magnitude higher than a commercial carbon‐based SC (volumetrically), within one minute.
Cluster stability in the analysis of mass cytometry data
Authors: Melchiotti Rossella , Gracio Filipe , Kordasti Shahram , Todd Alan K. , de Rinaldis Emanuele
Published: October 2016

Manual gating has been traditionally applied to cytometry data sets to identify cells based on protein expression. The advent of mass cytometry allows for a higher number of proteins to be simultaneously measured on cells, therefore providing a means to define cell clusters in a high dimensional expression space. This enhancement, whilst opening unprecedented opportunities for single cell‐level analyses, makes the incremental replacement of manual gating with automated clustering a compelling need. To this aim many methods have been implemented and their successful applications demonstrated in different settings. However, the reproducibility of automatically generated clusters is proving challenging and an analytical framework to distinguish spurious clusters from more stable entities, and presumably more biologically relevant ones, is still missing. One way to estimate cell clusters' stability is the evaluation of their consistent re‐occurrence within‐ and between‐algorithms, a metric that is commonly used to evaluate results from gene expression. Herein we report the usage and importance of cluster stability evaluations, when applied to results generated from three popular clustering algorithms ‐ SPADE, FLOCK and PhenoGraph ‐ run on four different data sets. These algorithms were shown to generate clusters with various degrees of statistical stability, many of them being unstable. By comparing the results of automated clustering with manually gated populations, we illustrate how information on cluster stability can assist towards a more rigorous and informed interpretation of clustering results. We also explore the relationships between statistical stability and other properties such as clusters' compactness and isolation, demonstrating that whilst cluster stability is linked to other properties it cannot be reliably predicted by any of them. Our study proposes the introduction of cluster stability as a necessary checkpoint for cluster interpretation and contributes to the construction of a more systematic and standardized analytical framework for the assessment of cytometry clustering results. © 2016 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Determining the masonry compressive strength / Bestimmung der Druckfestigkeit von Mauerwerk
Authors: Graubohm Markus , Brameshuber Wolfgang
Published: October 2016

Masonry is a building material primarily suited for building structures under compressive load and therefore it is mainly used for vertical load transfer. The decisive characteristic to assess the load bearing capacity of such building members is their compressive strength. It can either be derived experimentally from compression tests on wall specimens or by calculation. In this paper, firstly the current procedure in the derivation of compressive strength values based on experimental compression tests is described. Furthermore, empirical approaches and theoretical models for determining the masonry compressive strength, which have been developed in the past, are presented.
A students' challenge for the estimation of the maximum compressive load of masonry prisms / Studentenwettbewerb zur Ermittlung der maximalen Druckfestigkeit von Mauerwerksprismen
Authors: Ramos Luís F. , Lourenço Paulo B. , Vermeltfoort Ad. T. , Moreira Susana
Published: October 2016

The paper presents the “IMC Students' Challenge” competition held in 2014, during the 9th International Masonry Conference, in Guimarães. The objective of the competition was to predict the maximum compressive load of two masonry prisms built of solid bricks, and of hollow blocks, with mortar joints. To increase the complexity of the problem, all prisms were tested under eccentric load. The students, who enthusiastically participated in the final laboratory tests, presented different approaches to estimate the maximum eccentric compressive force on masonry prisms. The challenge was a great experience, not only for students and conference participants, but also for sponsors and organizers.
The two‐shearfield test – A suitable method for the empirical shear capacity design of masonry / Der Zweifeld‐Schubversuch – Eine praxistaugliche Methode zur versuchsgestützten Bemessung der Schubtragfähigkeit von Bestandsmauerwerk
Authors: Dunjic Viktor , Rudisch Andreas , Kolbitsch Andreas
Published: October 2016

The investigations [1] demonstrate that the two‐shearfield test is a suitable method for the determination of the shear capacity of masonry. The testing equipment is mounted directly on the wall in order to retain realistic boundary conditions like stiffness, load and prior damage.

The behaviour factor q and the capacity curves of certain masonry walls can be directly obtained from the experimental results and realistic material behaviour in earthquake design can be represented. In particular, existing masonry can be assessed realistically with methods like the response spectrum, the push‐over and the capacity spectrum by using the two‐shearfield test.
Evaluation of the quality of historic brickwork / Die Ermittlung der Mauerwerksgüte von Bestandsmauerwerk aus kleinformatigen Ziegeln
Authors: Henkel Jonny
Published: October 2016

The quality of historic brickwork is a significant matter for structural engineers for modernisation, also due to its concentration in public areas. One substantial issue for structural inspection is the characteristic masonry strength or allowable masonry stress, which are defined by the compressive strength. There are several ways of assessing the compressive strength of brickwork or its components, but most of these test methods are not described in engineering standards or are only based on standards for new buildings. This article provides information about the various testing methods and gives recommendations for the selection of applicable test procedures and the experimental scope.
The impact of memory load and perceptual cues on puzzle learning by 24‐month olds
Authors: Barr Rachel , Moser Alecia , Rusnak Sylvia , Zimmermann Laura , Dickerson Kelly , Lee Herietta , Gerhardstein Peter
Published: October 2016

Early childhood is characterized by memory capacity limitations and rapid perceptual and motor development [Rovee‐Collier (1996). Infant Behavior & Development, 19, 385–400]. The present study examined 2‐year olds’ reproduction of a sliding action to complete an abstract fish puzzle under different levels of memory load and perceptual feature support. Experimental groups were compared to baseline controls to assess spontaneous rates of production of the target actions; baseline production was low across all experiments. Memory load was manipulated in Exp. 1 by adding pieces to the puzzle, increasing sequence length from 2 to 3 items, and to 3 items plus a distractor. Although memory load did not influence how toddlers learned to manipulate the puzzle pieces, it did influence toddlers’ achievement of the goal—constructing the fish. Overall, girls were better at constructing the puzzle than boys. In Exp. 2, the perceptual features of the puzzle were altered by changing shape boundaries to create a two‐piece horizontally cut puzzle (displaying bilateral symmetry), and by adding a semantically supportive context to the vertically cut puzzle (iconic). Toddlers were able to achieve the goal of building the fish equally well across the 2‐item puzzle types (bilateral symmetry, vertical, iconic), but how they learned to manipulate the puzzle pieces varied as a function of the perceptual features. Here, as in Exp. 1, girls showed a different pattern of performance from the boys. This study demonstrates that changes in memory capacity and perceptual processing influence both goal‐directed imitation learning and motoric performance.
Motor development as a context for understanding parent safety practices
Authors: Morrongiello Barbara A. , Cox Amanda
Published: October 2016

In most industrialized countries, injuries are the leading cause of death for children 1 through 18 years of age. For infants, many injuries occur in the home when they are acquiring new motor milestones. Thus, as infants’ motor competencies change with development, creating increasing opportunities for them to interact with hazards, parent safety strategies need to adapt in synchrony in order to sustain a safe ecological niche and prevent injuries. The present study examined parent safety practices when infants were pre‐mobile (i.e., capable of sitting independently) and mobile (i.e., capable of walking independently), with the goal being to examine how parents alter these practices in the context of changes in infant motor capabilities, what motivates these parenting changes, and how well they work to prevent injuries. For pre‐mobile infants, parents often used devices to constrain their infants’ movements and they did so primarily for convenience; mobile infants were seldom constrained. Supervision was a safety strategy applied at both stages, but parents maintained greater proximity for pre‐mobile than mobile infants. Environmental modifications were also used for mobile infants. Parental supervision was negatively associated with injuries in the preceding month, whereas environmental modifications were positively associated with injuries. Parents at both stages rated their infants’ behaviors as highly predictable but expected them to become less predictable in the near future. However, they also anticipated reducing supervision and increasing teaching during this timeframe. Implications of these findings for injury prevention are discussed.
Transitions in the temporal parameters of sensory preconditioning during infancy
Authors: Cuevas Kimberly , Giles Amy
Published: October 2016

Sensory preconditioning (SPC) is a form of latent learning in which preexposure to co‐occurring neutral stimuli (S1‐S2) permits subsequent learning to be transferred from one stimulus (S1) to the other (S2). We examined whether human infants exhibit developmental transitions in the temporal parameters of SPC by manipulating the preexposure regimen. Infants received simultaneous or sequential preexposure to puppets S1 and S2 (Days 1–2); saw target actions modeled on S1 (Day 3); and were tested for deferred imitation with S2 (Day 4). Although 6‐, 9‐, and 12‐month‐olds associated the puppets, there was a shift in the effective regimen from simultaneous to sequential preexposure—similar to prior findings with rat pups (Experiment 1). Experiment 2 revealed that human infants potentially exhibit another transition in SPC at 15 and 18 months of age. We consider the roles of ontogenetic shifts in infants’ ecological niche, selective attention, and unitization in developmental transitions in SPC.
Anticipatory eye movements and long‐term memory in early infancy
Authors: Wong‐Kee‐You Audrey M.B. , Adler Scott A.
Published: October 2016

Advances in our understanding of long‐term memory in early infancy have been made possible by studies that have used the Rovee‐Collier's mobile conjugate reinforcement paradigm and its variants. One function that has been attributed to long‐term memory is the formation of expectations (Rovee‐Collier & Hayne, 1987); consequently, a long‐term memory representation should be established during expectation formation. To examine this prediction and potentially open the door on a new paradigm for exploring infants’ long‐term memory, using the Visual Expectation Paradigm (Haith, Hazan, & Goodman, 1988), 3‐month‐old infants were trained to form an expectation for predictable color and spatial information of picture events and emit anticipatory eye movements to those events. One day later, infants’ anticipatory eye movements decreased in number relative to the end of training when the predictable colors were changed but not when the spatial location of the predictable color events was changed. These findings confirm that information encoded during expectation formation are stored in long‐term memory, as hypothesized by Rovee‐Collier and colleagues. Further, this research suggests that eye movements are potentially viable measures of long‐term memory in infancy, providing confirmatory evidence for early mnemonic processes.
Infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia and maternal depressive symptoms predict toddler sleep problems
Authors: Gueron‐Sela Noa , Propper Cathi B. , Wagner Nicholas J. , Camerota Marie , Tully Kristin P. , Moore Ginger A.
Published: October 2016

This study examined the direct and interactive effects of infants’ respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and maternal depressive symptoms (MDS) during the first 6 months of life in the prediction of children's sleep problems at age 18 months. Participants included 156 children and their mothers who were followed from 3 to 18 months of age. At ages 3 and 6 months, infants’ cardiac activity was recorded at rest and during the still‐face paradigm, a mother–child social challenge task, and estimates of infant baseline RSA (RSAB) and RSA withdrawal (RSAW) were calculated. Mothers reported about their depressive symptoms at 3, 6, and 18 months, and about infants’ sleep problems at age 18 months. Less RSAW and higher levels of MDS predicted more sleep problems at age 18 months. Additionally, RSAB moderated the link between MDS and children's sleep problems such that MDS were related to more sleep problems only for infants with high levels of RSAB. Results illustrate the importance of RSA as both a direct predictor and a moderator of maternal influences in the prediction of early sleep problems.
Separate development of the maxilla and mandible is controlled by regional signaling of the maxillomandibular junction during avian development
Authors: Tak Hye‐Jin , Park Tae‐Jin , Piao Zhenngu , Lee Sang‐Hwy
Published: October 2016

Background: Syngnathia is a congenital craniofacial disorder characterized by bony or soft tissue fusion of upper and lower jaws. Previous studies suggested some causative signals, such as Foxc1 or Bmp4, cause the disruption of maxillomandibular identity, but their location and the interactive signals involved remain unexplored. We wanted to examine the embryonic origin of syngnathia based on the assumption that it may be located at the separation between the maxillary and mandibular processes. This region, known as the maxillomandibular junction (MMJ), is involved in segregation of cranial neural crest‐derived mesenchyme into the presumptive upper and lower jaws. Results: Here we investigated the role of Fgf, Bmp, and retinoid signaling during development of MMJ in chicken embryos. By changing the levels of these signals with bead implants, we induced syngnathia with microstomia on the treated side, which showed increased Barx1 and neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) expression. Redistribution of proliferating cells was also observed at the proximal region to maxillary and mandibular arch around MMJ. Conclusions: We propose that interactive molecular signaling by Fgfs, Bmps, and retinoids around MMJ is required for normal separation of the maxilla and mandible, as well as the proper positioning of beak commissure during early facial morphogenesis. Developmental Dynamics 246:28–40, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study protocol – A systematic review and meta‐analysis of hypothermia in experimental traumatic brain injury: Why have promising animal studies not been replicated in pragmatic clinical trials?
Authors: Hirst Theodore C. , Watzlawick Ralf , Rhodes Jonathan K. , Macleod Malcolm R. , Andrews Peter J.D.
Published: October 2016

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and permanent disability. Systemic hypothermia, a treatment used in TBI for many decades, has recently been found to be associated with neutral or unfavourable clinical outcomes despite apparently promising preclinical research. Systematic review and meta‐analysis is a tool to summarize literature and observe trends in experimental design and quality that underpin its general conclusions. Here we aim to use these techniques to describe the use of hypothermia in animal TBI models, collating data relating to outcome and both study design and quality. From here we intend to observe correlations between features and attempt to explain any discrepancies found between animal and clinical data. This protocol describes the relevant methodology in detail.
Predicted rarity‐weighted richness, a new tool to prioritize sites for species representation
Authors: Albuquerque Fábio , Beier Paul
Published: October 2016

Lack of biodiversity data is a major impediment to prioritizing sites for species representation. Because comprehensive species data are not available in any planning area, planners often use surrogates (such as vegetation communities, or mapped occurrences of a well‐inventoried taxon) to prioritize sites. We propose and demonstrate the effectiveness of predicted rarity‐weighted richness (PRWR) as a surrogate in situations where species inventories may be available for a portion of the planning area. Use ofPRWRas a surrogate involves several steps. First, rarity‐weighted richness (RWR) is calculated from species inventories for aq% subset of sites. Then random forest models are used to modelRWRas a function of freely available environmental variables for thatq% subset. This function is then used to calculatePRWRfor all sites (including those for which no species inventories are available), andPRWRis used to prioritize all sites. We testedPRWRon plant and bird datasets, using the species accumulation index to measure efficiency ofPRWR. Sites with the highestPRWRrepresented species with median efficiency of 56% (range 32%–77% across six datasets) whenq = 20%, and with median efficiency of 39% (range 20%–63%) whenq = 10%. An efficiency of 56% means that selecting sites in order ofPRWRrank was 56% as effective as having full knowledge of species distributions inPRWR's ability to improve on the number of species represented in the same number of randomly selected sites. Our results suggest thatPRWRmay be able to help prioritize sites to represent species if a planner has species inventories for 10%–20% of the sites in the planning area.
Interactive effects between plant functional types and soil factors on tundra species diversity and community composition
Authors: Iturrate‐Garcia Maitane , O'Brien Michael J. , Khitun Olga , Abiven Samuel , Niklaus Pascal A. , Schaepman‐Strub Gabriela
Published: October 2016

Plant communities are coupled with abiotic factors, as species diversity and community composition both respond to and influence climate and soil characteristics. Interactions between vegetation and abiotic factors depend on plant functional types (PFT) as different growth forms will have differential responses to and effects on site characteristics. However, despite the importance of different PFT for community assembly and ecosystem functioning, research has mainly focused on vascular plants. Here, we established a set of observational plots in two contrasting habitats in northeastern Siberia in order to assess the relationship between species diversity and community composition with soil variables, as well as the relationship between vegetation cover and species diversity for two PFT (nonvascular and vascular). We found that nonvascular species diversity decreased with soil acidity and moisture and, to a lesser extent, with soil temperature and active layer thickness. In contrast, no such correlation was found for vascular species diversity. Differences in community composition were found mainly along soil acidity and moisture gradients. However, the proportion of variation in composition explained by the measured soil variables was much lower for nonvascular than for vascular species when considering the PFT separately. We also found different relationships between vegetation cover and species diversity according the PFT and habitat. In support of niche differentiation theory, species diversity and community composition were related to edaphic factors. The distinct relationships found for nonvascular and vascular species suggest the importance of considering multiple PFT when assessing species diversity and composition and their interaction with edaphic factors. Synthesis: Identifying vegetation responses to edaphic factors is a first step toward a better understanding of vegetation–soil feedbacks under climate change. Our results suggest that incorporating differential responses of PFT is important for predicting vegetation shifts, primary productivity, and in turn, ecosystem functioning in a changing climate.