bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative analysis of the glass plate design
Authors: Buljan Nebojša , Rakić Ivana , Vorkapić Andrej
Published: October 2018

Technical Committee for Construction Eurocodes CEN / TC250, Subcommittee SC11, prepared the draft Technical specification for the Structural glass prCEN/TS xxxx‐1(2, 3):2018, which is the basis for the future Eurocode 11 on the structural glass. A comparison of the new prCEN/TS to other standards is made: to American ASTM E1300‐16 and to European FprEN16612:2016. The analysis was carried out by comparing the design of common rectangular insulating glass plates, of variable dimensions and compositions, loaded with the lateral surface pressure, according to procedures defined in all 3 documents. The sole aim of the comparison is to assess the economic effect of each standard in the practical application, without considering other design criteria. The design is assessed by using factors of the utilisation with respect to the resistance of plates in order to obtain a comparison of the design economy.
Bonding Quality of Joined Glass Components Exposed to UV and Fluidic Influences
Authors: Sirtl Christin , Kraus Matthias
Published: October 2018

Components of structural glazing have to meet different requirements and resist various impacts, depending on the field of application. Within an international research project of the EU innovation program Horizon 2020, special glass panes with a fluid circulating in capillaries are developed exploiting solar energy. Major influences to this glazing are UV irradiation and the fluidic contact, effecting the mechanical and optical durability of the bonding material within the glass setup. Regarding to visual requirements, acrylate adhesives and EVA films are analyzed as possible bonding materials by destructive and non‐destructive testing methods. Two types of specimen are presented for obtaining the mechanical behavior and the surface appearances of the bonding material.
Hybrid glass elements for parapets – experimental analysis and numerical simulation of the load‐bearing behaviour
Authors: Giese‐Hinz Johannes , Weller Bernhard
Published: October 2018

This study assessed the deformation behaviour and the stress distribution of a new kind of composite plate consisting of a glass pane and high‐pressure laminate. The two single plates were laminarly bonded with a silicone. Hence, the composite plate reacted as a unit, thus the stiffness is higher than that of the respective single components. By means of linear calculation approaches, with full composite or without composite behaviour, the deformation and the stress distribution of composites can be descripted. However, the interlayer is be idealised to a thin layer with a maximal high or minimal shear stiffness. First comparisons showed big differences between the calculated deformations and the stresses of those two approaches. Hence, in this study, experiments with the composite plate were aimed to evaluate the quality of that linear calculation. The four‐point bending tests, according to DIN EN 1288‐3, measured the deformation, while the tensile stress were measured in six points. The results show increasing differences between the calculation approaches and the measured values when the load of the plate was increased. Due to the linear calculation, it is not possible to consider non‐linear effects or higher stresses on the plate edges. Hence, standard calculations were unsuitable to describe the mechanical behaviour of the new composite plate so other calculation approaches were necessary for glass hybrid plates. Therefore, this study assessed a non‐linear finite element analysis of the new composite plate. Simple material models were used for the complex behaviour of the hyperelastic silicones. Thus, the study shows that calculations can be done quickly and easily for the forces and deformations relevant for the application.
Sana Al‐Nour: the development of a unique integrated artwork
Authors: Lowings Luke
Published: October 2018

Sana Al‐Nour, a unique structure and the largest public artwork in the Middle East, stands at the centre of the new terminal at Abu Dhabi airport, hovering between the Departures and Arrivals areas. Originally conceived as a device to deflect daylight from the upper, daylit departures space to the lower, darker arrivals hall, it is also an integral part of the air recirculation system, guiding air through the void in which it floats, as well as being a space‐maker from below and a way‐finding marker from above. A circular, triangular‐mesh rotated hyperboloid cable‐net, suspended from a central axial strut between two compression rings, the piece comprises 1,632 heat‐bent and (mostly) chemically‐strengthened laminated units, with a bi‐colour varying opacity interlayer (semi‐reflective silver on the outside and sky blue on the inside) attached to 152 cables. The sculpture is 23 m high and 30 m diameter, and weighs approximately 92 tonnes. The structure has taken ten years, from conception to completion. The paper will deal with the generation of the concept and its development through initial stages to the execution and production of parts. It will deal with the visual design issues, spatial concerns, technical context in terms of light and airflow, project organisation, security, installation and maintenance. A unique project in a unique space, the description will attempt to draw general conclusions about the implications for the integration of artworks in complex public and semi‐public spaces.
Hidden features of structural glass engineering in a contemporary museum
Authors: Havemann Kathrin , Fritsch Andreas , Ziegler René
Published: October 2018

On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the foundation of the United Arab Emirates, a unique landmark museum about the nation's history was built. The main feature of the building is its inclined glass fin façade with fins spanning up to 13 m. The whole façade forms a coupled system transferring small portions of the in‐plane loads from one pane to another and finally down into the steel ramps and the last special glass panel. The total work time for design, fabrication and installation was ten months for the whole building.
Field of Rods: Part 2. Mockup and Performance Testing of TSSA
Authors: Carbary Lawrence D. , Ludvik Michael A. , Lencus Algis , Zhong Frank
Published: October 2018

Eric Owen Moss Architects has designed a glass cylinder roof for the 8511 Warner Drive project in Culver City, CA. Curved laminated glass tubes suspended from a structural frame provide a striking structure unequalled in structural glass design. Their pursuit of discovering methods that bring projects to public prominence is evident in this design of hanging tubes. The engineering design and redundancy was presented at Engineered Transparency 2016 and this is a continuation of the mockup and validation. The project uses nearly 200 curved annealed laminated tubes (of various lengths) suspended from a structure where mechanical fastening of the glass tube by drilled holes and bolts is architecturally unappealing. The top of the tube is designed with conventional structural silicone and a “Yoke” inside the middle of the tube is attached with TSSA. The Yoke is bonded to curved steel 65 mm × 125 mm rectangular patches with TSSA. The curved fittings attached to the glass have to be machined to match the glass that has a 305 mm radius. The engineering challenge is to use the TSSA to resist the rotational stresses between the two halves of the cylinder during wind and seismic events. Mockup challenges with glass fracture due to heat capacity of large metal fittings were resolved with engineered steel fittings that were smaller in mass and dimensionally adjusted. Additional challenges include dimensional tolerances in glass and machined fittings that resulted in trapped air in the adhesive. The aesthetic trapped air issues were overcome by layering TSSA films upon each other to resolve the tolerances. A customized quality assurance process was implemented to validate performance of the cured adhesive. Results of quality assurance tests are presented. The design team is in the process of executing the design through mockup and validation for full scale production.
Functional Hyper‐Crosslinked Polypyrene for Reductive Decolorization of Industrial Dyes and Effective Mercury Removal from Aqueous Media
Authors: Varyambath Anuraj , Song Wen L. , Kim Il
Published: October 2018

A rigid and valuable hyper‐crosslinked polymer (HCP) has been synthesized from the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon pyrene: hyper‐crosslinked polypyrene (HCPPy). HCPPy was prepared through a simple one‐step Friedel‐Crafts alkylation reaction that involves ZnBr2‐catalyzed crosslinking in the presence of an external crosslinker, bromomethyl methyl ether (BME). Interestingly, the unreacted bromomethyl groups (−CH2Br) on the surface of HCPPy could be quantified, which later aided in modification as per our requirement. We aimed at modifying with disulfide‐containing cystamine dihydrochloride (Cys‐HCPPy). Cys‐HCPPy exhibited an extended π‐conjugated system with uniform (∼1 μm diameter) morphology and high porosity (specific surface area: 445 m2 g−1). As a fundamental application, the Cys‐HCPPy composite was used as a sorbent to remove Hg2+ ions from aqueous media. Thus, at pH 6, the adsorption capacity for mercury ions reached 1124.82 mg g−1 after 24 h. Furthermore, the immobilization of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of Cys‐HCPPy (Ag@Cys‐HCPPy) enhanced the catalytic properties, which allowed for the reductive decolorization of industrial dyes such as methylene blue, methyl orange, and Congo Red in the presence of NaBH4 as a reducing agent.
Electrochemical Determination of Serotonin Using Pre‐treated Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotube‐polyaniline Composite Electrode
Authors: Koluaçık Elif , Karabiberoğlu Şükriye Ulubay , Dursun Zekerya
Published: October 2018

In this study, the multiwalled carbon nanotube‐poly (aniline) (MWCNT‐PANI) composite is successfully deposited on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) by electropolymerization as an efficient and conventional route. The structural and chemical properties of the MWCNT‐PANI was investigated by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). After that, the electrochemical oxidation behavior of serotonin (5‐HT) in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.4) was examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Besides, the MWCNT‐PANI/GCE used for the detection of 5‐HT with linear concentration range (1.0×10−7–1.2×10−5 mol L−1), low limit of detection (3.3×10−8 mol L−1) under differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) conditions. The proposed electrochemical sensor based on MWCNT‐PANI is both time and cost effective, has good reproducibility, high selectivity as well as stability for 5‐HT determination. The developed composite electrode was used to detect 5‐HT in synthetic urine sample and satisfactory results were obtained with high recoveries.
Facile and Scalable Fabrication of Porous g‐C3N4 Nanosheets with Nitrogen Defects and Oxygen‐Doping for Synergistically Promoted Visible Light Photocatalytic H2 Evolution
Authors: Shan Xin , Ge Guifang , Zhao Zhongkui
Published: October 2018

A facile and scalable approach is firstly presented to fabricate novel O‐doped nitrogen defective porous g‐C3N4 nanosheets (PNV‐CN) through thermal polymerization of a guanylurea nitrate (GLUN) precursor that forms by a nitric acid assisted heating reaction process of dicyandiamide (DCDA), in which nitrate ions act as the intensified gas template function for producing pores and carbon nitride nanosheet structures and the oxidant for forming nitrogen defects. PNV‐CN demonstrates a high visible light photocatalytic activity of 62.4 μmol h−1 and an apparent quantum efficiency of 4.0% at 420 nm with 17.3 and 5.5 times higher hydrogen evolution rate (HER) than bulk g‐C3N4 (B‐CN) prepared by thermal polymerization of DCDA and the loose g‐C3N4 (LB‐CN), prepared via thermal polymerization of a mixture (DMDN) consisting of dicyandiamide nitrate (DN), GLUN, and their hydrogen‐bonding macromolecular compounds by drying the physical mixture of DCDA and nitric acid, respectively. The outstanding photocatalytic properties of PNV‐CN for visible light‐driven hydrogen evolution originate from the enhanced charge separation and migration, extending visible light absorption tails, promoting recombination of charge carriers, increased active sites, and strengthened mass transfer process that results from the synergistically promoting effect of hierarchical porous morphology, as‐formed nitrogen defects, O‐doping and the unique nanosheet structure.
pH‐Resistant Nanofluidic Diode Membrane for High‐Performance Conversion of Salinity Gradient into Electric Energy
Authors: Xiao Tianliang , Zhang Qianqian , Jiang Jiaqiao , Ma Jing , Liu Qingqing , Lu Bingxin , Liu Zhaoyue , Zhai Jin
Published: October 2018

The harvesting of the energy stored in the salinity gradient between seawater and river water by a membrane‐scale nanofluidic diode for sustainable generation of electricity is attracting significant attention in recent years. However, the performance of previously reported nanofluidic diodes is sensitive to the pH conditions, which restricts their potential applications in wider fields with variable pH values. Herein, a pH‐resistant membrane‐scale nanofluidic diode with a high ion rectification ratio of ≈85 that demonstrates a stable ion rectification property over a wider pH range from 4 to 10 is reported. This pH‐resistant ion rectification is explained quantitatively by a theoretical calculation based on the Poisson and Nernst–Plank equations. The nanofluidic diode membrane is integrated into a power generation device to harvest the energy stored in the salinity gradient. By mixing the simulated seawater (0.5 m KCl) and river water (0.01 m KCl) through the membrane, the device outputs an impressive power density of 3.15 W m−2 and demonstrates high stability over a wider pH range. The membrane‐scale nanofluidic diode provides a pH‐resistant platform to control the ion transport and to convert the salinity gradient into electric energy.
Rapid T1 quantification from high resolution 3D data with model‐based reconstruction
Authors: Maier Oliver , Schoormans Jasper , Schloegl Matthias , Strijkers Gustav J. , Lesch Andreas , Benkert Thomas , Block Tobias , Coolen Bram F. , Bredies Kristian , Stollberger Rudolf
Published: October 2018

Purpose

Magnetic resonance imaging protocols for the assessment of quantitative information suffer from long acquisition times since multiple measurements in a parametric dimension are required. To facilitate the clinical applicability, accelerating the acquisition is of high importance. To this end, we propose a model‐based optimization framework in conjunction with undersampling 3D radial stack‐of‐stars data.

Theory and Methods

High resolution 3D T1 maps are generated from subsampled data by employing model‐based reconstruction combined with a regularization functional, coupling information from the spatial and parametric dimension, to exploit redundancies in the acquired parameter encodings and across parameter maps. To cope with the resulting non‐linear, non‐differentiable optimization problem, we propose a solution strategy based on the iteratively regularized Gauss‐Newton method. The importance of 3D‐spectral regularization is demonstrated by a comparison to 2D‐spectral regularized results. The algorithm is validated for the variable flip angle (VFA) and inversion recovery Look‐Locker (IRLL) method on numerical simulated data, MRI phantoms, and in vivo data.

Results

Evaluation of the proposed method using numerical simulations and phantom scans shows excellent quantitative agreement and image quality. T1 maps from accelerated 3D in vivo measurements, e.g. 1.8 s/slice with the VFA method, are in high accordance with fully sampled reference reconstructions.

Conclusions

The proposed algorithm is able to recover T1 maps with an isotropic resolution of 1 mm3 from highly undersampled radial data by exploiting structural similarities in the imaging volume and across parameter maps.
de Sitter Vacua with a Nilpotent Superfield
Authors: Kallosh Renata , Linde Andrei , McDonough Evan , Scalisi Marco
Published: October 2018

We study the arguments given in [] which suggest that the uplifting procedure in the KKLT construction is not valid. First we show that the modification of the SUSY breaking sector of the nilpotent superfield, as proposed in [], is not consistent with non‐linearly realized local supersymmetry of de Sitter supergravity. Keeping this issue aside, we also show that the corresponding bosonic potential does actually describe de Sitter uplifting.
Caffeinium Hydrogen Sulfate: A Green Solid Acid Catalyst for Selective One‐Pot Domino Knoevenagel‐Michael Transformations
Authors: Agarwal Shalini , Poddar Roona , Kidwai Mazaahir , Nath Mahendra
Published: October 2018

A green, water soluble and efficient solid acid catalyst Caffeinium Hydrogen Sulfate (CHS) is prepared by sulfonation of caffeine and characterized by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental and thermal analysis. The catalytic application of the prepared catalyst for the selective one‐pot domino Knoevenagel‐Michael synthesis of bis‐cyclohexenones and 1,8‐dioxooctahydroxanthenes is investigated. This report demonstrate the selectivity of CHS to synthesise bis‐cyclohexenone and xanthenes at different temperature conditions. The proposed methodology put forward various advantages such as cost effectiveness, excellent yields of the targeted products, clean and mild reaction profile, negligible waste generation, eliminate the use of harmful organic solvents and corrosive reagents, reusability of the catalytic system and afford pure products without any extraction and purification steps.
ZnSn(OH)6 Photocatalyst for Methylene Blue Degradation: Electrolyte‐Dependent Morphology and Performance
Authors: Ren Zhen , Zhou DunFan , Zhang Liheng , Yu Meng , Wang Zhengyu , Fan Yaping , Zhang Daoming , Zhang Quansheng , Xie Jingying
Published: October 2018

Synthesis of nanomaterial with novelty morphology is one of the major effects to its performance. In this study, photocatalyst ZnSn(OH)6 was synthesized based on one step cationic membrane electrolysis technology using zinc plate as Zn source and aqueous sodium stannate as Sn source. Effects of electrolytic current density and supporting electrolyte including NaCl, NaAc and sodium citrate (NaCt) on the morphology and performance of ZnSn(OH)6 were studied. The crystal structure and morphology of the synthesized ZnSn(OH)6 was characterized by XRD, HR‐TEM, FE‐SEM, EDX, specific surface area by BET, chemical bond by FT‐IR and UV‐Vis‐DRS. The photocatalytic performance of the synthesized ZnSn(OH)6 catalyst was evaluated by the degradation of 10 mg/L methylene blue (MB) under UV light, the results showed that the photocatalyst ZnSn(OH)6 synthesized at 0.03 A/cm2 current density in 0.5 mol/L NaCl electrolyte exhibits the best photocatalytic activity as 100% degradation of MB after 40 min UV radiation. The photodegradation mechanism is also proposed and discussed. The results exhibited that electrolysis synthesized ZnSn(OH)6 is a promising photo‐catalyst for aqueous organic pollutant degradation.
Synthesis of New Heterocyclic Systems: Pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]thieno(furo)[2,3‐e][1,2,4]triazolopyrimidines and an Unusual ANRORC Rearrangement in the Fused Pyrimidine Series
Authors: Sirakanyan Samvel N. , Spinelli Domenico , Geronikaki Athina , Kartsev Viktor G. , Hakobyan Elmira K. , Hovakimyan Anush A.
Published: October 2018

The synthesis of some new ‘complex’ pentaheterocyclic systems, pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]thieno(furo)[2,3‐e][1,2,4]triazolopyrimidines, containing a 1,2,4‐triazolo ring fused at [a] and [b] sides of the pyrimidine ring is described. Interestingly reacting the S,N‐dimethylated compounds 5(c‐h) (containing a furane ring) with hydrazine hydrate, an unusual rearrangement deriving by the breaking of an amide group (HN‐C=O) of the pyrimidine ring has been observed. As a result of the rearrangement 8(9)‐amino‐9(10)‐(methylamino)pyrano[4′′,3′′:4′,5′]pyrido[3′,2′:4,5]furo[3,2‐d]pyrimidin‐7(8)‐ones 9 were obtained: their cyclization led to the formation of new heterocyclic systems, 4(5)‐alkyl‐11(12)‐methylpyrido[3′,2′:4,5]furo[3,2‐d][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidin‐7(8)‐ones 11. The structures of the obtained compounds were confirmed by different physico‐chemical methods.
Chemical Composition Analysis and In Vitro Investigation of Cytotoxic and Antioxidative Activities of Iranian Propolis against Breast Cancer Cell Line, MCF‐7
Authors: Asgharpour Fariba , Moghadamnia Ali Akbar , Kazemi Sohrab , Nouri Hamid Reza , Pouramir Mahdi , Mousavi Seyedeh Narges , Motallebnejad Mina
Published: October 2018

Propolis is a natural resinous mixture found in beehives. It has pharmacological and biology properties, which are related to its chemical composition. In the current study, the chemical composition of ethanolic extract of Iranian propolis (EEIP) was determined through high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The radical scavenging activity of EEIP was evaluated through 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) along with ferric reducing ability power (FRAP) assay. In addition, the cytotoxic effects and intracellular capacity for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of EEIP and individual components were evaluated on human breast cancer cell line, MCF‐7. Also, effects of EEIP on cell viability was measured on fibroblast as a normal cell line. The obtained results revealed high contents of total phenolics and flavonoids in the EEIP extracts. The bioactive compounds that were identified in the EEIP extracts included caffeic acid, quercetin, chrysin, galangin, and pinobanksin. The EEIP and polyphenols were cytotoxic for MCF‐7 cells and significantly tended to increase intracellular ROS production in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, EEIP had no cytotoxic effect on fibroblast cells. Taken together, we suggest that the synergistic effect of the main components of propolis is related to increase of ROS and inhibition of MCF‐7 cell proliferation.
Covert information sharing with novel fuzzy adaptive edge detection
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Singh Amarpal , Kumar Manoj
Published: October 2018

The secure communication systems should provide covert, stealth, or unauthorized detection of critical information. Covert communication systems not only shield the secure information enclosed in the cover data from being decoded but also avoid the opponent from perceiving the transmission. In this paper, we propose adaptive Fuzzy Edge detection‐based covert communication. The proposed system is capable of locating the accurate edge zones of a cover picture to shield the secure information. Experimental outcomes show that the proposed strategy has accomplished good imperceptibility compared with the other analogous strategies.
Fraud detection-oriented operators in a data warehouse based on forensic accounting techniques
Authors: Arboleda Francisco Javier Moreno , Guzman-Luna Jaime Alberto , Torres Ingrid-Durley
Published: October 2018

The fields of finance and accounting are especially susceptible to fraud. For this reason, special techniques have been developed for prevention or detection in these fields. For instance, in the field of finance, there are proposals focused on historical data analysis and statistical distribution, credit card transaction analysis and financial statements. 1 2 3 One of them is an integrated language model. 4

The fields of finance and accounting are especially susceptible to fraud. For this reason, special techniques have been developed for prevention or detection.

Francisco Javier Moreno Arboleda, Jaime Alberto Guzman-Luna and Ingrid-Durley Torres present several fraud detection techniques, focusing on the fields of finance and forensic accounting. Based on these techniques, they define specialised operators focusing on fraud detection in a data warehouse. While the techniques are able to flag potential frauds, there is some way to go to being able to positively identify them, and the authors suggest future work in this area.
Development of a Pictorial Semi-Structured Child Anxiety and Coping Interview (CACI): Preliminary Analysis with School Children aged 5–7 years
Authors: Ruocco Sylvia , Freeman Nerelie C. , McLean Louise A.
Published: October 2018

This school-based study reports on the development and preliminary analysis of the new pictorial semi-structured Child Anxiety and Coping Interview (CACI). Participants included 195 children (Mage= 6.71;SDage= .76) drawn from 29 primary schools located in Western Sydney, Australia. The study used a mixed qualitative and quantitative design. The CACI was used to elicit the children's self-report on their problems, emotions, coping strategies, and coping self-efficacy. Qualitative content and thematic analysis were used to code the children's nominated coping strategies for their problems in the home and school contexts. The top five most common problems reported were as follows: fear of spiders or insects, fear of the dark, going places without parents, doing badly at school, and heights. The top five most common coping strategies reported by the children were support seeking, behavioural avoidance, solving the problem, facing the challenge, and behavioural distraction. Self-reported negative emotional intensity was highest for fear of the dark. Coping self-efficacy for fear of the dark was also high, suggesting the children found their coping strategies helpful, including those that were maladaptive. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Global modes and nonlinear analysis of inverted-flag flapping
Authors: Goza Andres , Colonius Tim , Sader John E.
Published: October 2018

An inverted flag has its trailing edge clamped and exhibits dynamics distinct from that of a conventional flag, whose leading edge is restrained. We perform nonlinear simulations and a global stability analysis of the inverted-flag system for a range of Reynolds numbers, flag masses and stiffnesses. Our global stability analysis is based on a linearisation of the fully coupled fluid–structure system of equations. The calculated equilibria are steady-state solutions of the fully coupled nonlinear equations. By implementing this approach, we (i) explore the mechanisms that initiate flapping, (ii) study the role of vorticity generation and vortex-induced vibration (VIV) in large-amplitude flapping and (iii) characterise the chaotic flapping regime. For point (i), we identify a deformed-equilibrium state and show through a global stability analysis that the onset of small-deflection flapping – where the oscillation amplitude is significantly smaller than in large-amplitude flapping – is due to a supercritical Hopf bifurcation. For large-amplitude flapping, point (ii), we confirm the arguments of Sader et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 793, 2016a) that classical VIV exists when the flag is sufficiently light with respect to the fluid. We also show that for heavier flags, large-amplitude flapping persists (even for Reynolds numbers
${<}50$
) and is not classical VIV. Finally, with respect to point (iii), chaotic flapping has been observed experimentally for Reynolds numbers of
$O(10^{4})$
, and here we show that chaos also persists at a moderate Reynolds number of 200. We characterise this chaotic regime and calculate its strange attractor, whose structure is controlled by the above-mentioned deformed equilibria and is similar to a Lorenz attractor.
Levitation of non-magnetizable droplet inside ferrofluid
Authors: Singh Chamkor , Das Arup K. , Das Prasanta K.
Published: October 2018

The central theme of this work is that a stable levitation of a denser non-magnetizable liquid droplet, against gravity, inside a relatively lighter ferrofluid – a system barely considered in ferrohydrodynamics – is possible, and exhibits unique interfacial features; the stability of the levitation trajectory, however, is subject to an appropriate magnetic field modulation. We explore the shapes and the temporal dynamics of a plane non-magnetizable droplet levitating inside a ferrofluid against gravity due to a spatially complex, but systematically generated, magnetic field in two dimensions. The coupled set of Maxwell’s magnetostatic equations and the flow dynamic equations is integrated computationally, utilizing a conservative finite-volume-based second-order pressure projection algorithm combined with the front-tracking algorithm for the advection of the interface of the droplet. The dynamics of the droplet is studied under both the constant ferrofluid magnetic permeability assumption as well as for more realistic field-dependent permeability described by Langevin’s nonlinear magnetization model. Due to the non-homogeneous nature of the magnetic field, unique shapes of the droplet during its levitation, and at its steady state, are realized. The complete spatio-temporal response of the droplet is a function of the Laplace number
$La$
, the magnetic Laplace number
$La_{m}$
and the Galilei number
$Ga$
; through detailed simulations we separate out the individual roles played by these non-dimensional parameters. The effect of the viscosity ratio, the stability of the levitation path and the possibility of existence of multiple stable equilibrium states is investigated. We find, for certain conditions on the viscosity ratio, that there can be developments of cusps and singularities at the droplet surface; we also observe this phenomenon experimentally and compare with the simulations. Our simulations closely replicate the singular projection on the surface of the levitating droplet. Finally, we present a dynamical model for the vertical trajectory of the droplet. This model reveals a condition for the onset of levitation and the relation for the equilibrium levitation height. The linearization of the model around the steady state captures that the nature of the equilibrium point goes under a transition from being a spiral to a node depending upon the control parameters, which essentially means that the temporal route to the equilibrium can be either monotonic or undulating. The analytical model for the droplet trajectory is in close agreement with the detailed simulations.
THE CARNYX ON CELTIC AND ROMAN REPUBLICAN COINAGE
Authors: Swan David
Published: October 2018

This paper explores the cross-cultural portrayals of an unusual and striking musical instrument, the carnyx, on the coinages of the Romans and the inhabitants of Iron Age Britain and Gaul. Fashioned as a snarling boar, the carnyx was a war horn used by the Gauls and Britons that not only captivated the minds of their artists, but also those of the Romans. This paper studies the cross-cultural phenomenon of its appearance in the coin iconography of the late second to late first centuriesbc. This simultaneous analysis of Roman, Gallic and British coinage reveals that while each culture had a shared belief in the carnyx’s military role, each culture also had its own interpretation of the object’s significance. To the Romans, it was a symbol of the barbarian, to be cherished as a war trophy after a Roman victory, but to those northern Europeans, it was a sign of pride and spiritual significance. An image’s meaning is, therefore, seen to transform as it crosses into a new cultural context.
REAPPRAISINGNEWS FROM NOWHERE: WILLIAM MORRIS, J. S. MILL ANDFABIAN ESSAYS
Authors: FLAHERTY SEAMUS
Published: October 2018

This article examinesNews from Nowhere, William Morris's late nineteenth-century utopian romance. It seeks, first, to establish John Stuart Mill as a crucial influence on the text. It argues that, inNews from Nowhere, Morris engaged extensively with Mill's mid-century essayOn Liberty. It shows how Morris dramatized Mill's “harm principle”; how he challenged the notion that custom must necessarily be antithetical to the “spirit of liberty”; and how he enacted Mill's stricture that “if opponents of all important truths do not exist,” then they must be invented. The article seeks, second, to contest the view that Morris was writing in indignant response to Edward Bellamy's portrait of utopia,Looking Backward. The article argues, instead, that it was rather the Fabians who incurred Morris's indignation. It attempts to demonstrate that ifNews from Nowherewas indeed an answer to another book, it was an answer toFabian Essays.
Racial and ethnic disparities in predictors of glycemia: a moderated mediation analysis of inflammation-related predictors of diabetes in the NHANES 2007–2010
Authors: Nowlin Sarah , Cleland Charles M. , Parekh Niyati , Hagan Holly , Melkus Gail
Published: October 2018

Background/Objective

Racial/ethnic disparities in type 2 diabetes (T2D) outcomes exist, and could be explained by nutrition- and inflammation-related differences. The objective of this study is to identify associations between race/ethnicity and glucose control among participants from NHANES 2007–2010, as influenced by diet quality, body mass, and inflammation and grouped by T2D status.

Subjects/Methods

The following is a cross-sectional, secondary data analysis of two NHANES data cycles spanning 2007–2010. The association between race/ethnicity and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) as mediated by dietary intake score, body mass index (BMI), and C-reactive protein (CRP) was assessed, as was the strength of the difference of that association, or moderation, by T2D status. The sample included n = 7850 non-pregnant adult participants ≥ 20 years of age who had two days of reliable dietary recall data, and no missing data on key variables included in the analysis. The primary outcome examined was HbA1c.

Results

The model accurately explained the variation in HbA1c measures in participants without T2D, as mediated by diet quality, BMI, and CRP. However, significant variation in HbA1c remained after accounting for aforementioned mediators when contrasting non-Hispanic White to non-Hispanic Black participants without T2D. The model was not a good fit for explaining racial/ethnic disparities in HbA1c in participants with T2D. A test of the index of moderated mediation for this model was not significant for the differences in the effect of race/ethnicity on HbA1c by T2D status (moderator).

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that diet quality, BMI, and CRP mediated the effect of race/ethnicity on HbA1c in persons without T2D, but not in persons with T2D. Further research should include additional inflammatory markers, and other inflammation- and T2D-related health outcomes, and their association with racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes.
The charm of structural neuroimaging in insanity evaluations: guidelines to avoid misinterpretation of the findings
Authors: Scarpazza C. , Ferracuti S. , Miolla A. , Sartori G.
Published: October 2018

Despite the popularity of structural neuroimaging techniques in twenty-first-century research, its results have had limited translational impact in real-world settings, where inferences need to be made at the individual level. Structural neuroimaging methods are now introduced frequently to aid in assessing defendants for insanity in criminal forensic evaluations, with the aim of providing “convergence” of evidence on the mens rea of the defendant. This approach may provide pivotal support for judges’ decisions. Although neuroimaging aims to reduce uncertainty and controversies in legal settings and to increase the objectivity of criminal rulings, the application of structural neuroimaging in forensic settings is hampered by cognitive biases in the evaluation of evidence that lead to misinterpretation of the imaging results. It is thus increasingly important to have clear guidelines on the correct ways to apply and interpret neuroimaging evidence. In the current paper, we review the literature concerning structural neuroimaging in court settings with the aim of identifying rules for its correct application and interpretation. These rules, which aim to decrease the risk of biases, focus on the importance of (i) descriptive diagnoses, (ii) anatomo-clinical correlation, (iii) brain plasticity and (iv) avoiding logical fallacies, such as reverse inference. In addition, through the analysis of real forensic cases, we describe errors frequently observed due to incorrect interpretations of imaging. Clear guidelines for both the correct circumstances for introducing neuroimaging and its eventual interpretation are defined
miR-29s function as tumor suppressors in gliomas by targeting TRAF4 and predict patient prognosis
Authors: Shi Cuijuan , Rao Chun , Sun Cuiyun , Yu Lin , Zhou Xuexia , Hua Dan , Wang Run , Luo Wenjun , Jiang Zhendong , Zhou Junhu , Wang Qian , Yu Shizhu
Published: October 2018

Robust proliferation and apoptosis inhibition of tumor cells are responsible for the high mortality and poor outcome of patients with high-grade gliomas. miR-29a/b/c have been reported to be important suppressors in several human tumor types. However, their exact roles in gliomagenesis and their relevance to patient prognosis remain unclear. In this study, using 187 human glioma specimens and 20 nontumoral brain tissues, we demonstrated that the expression of miR-29a/b/c decreased progressively as the grade of glioma and the Ki-67 index increased. However, the expression of TRAF4, the functional target of miR-29a/b/c, exhibited the inverse trend, and its level was inversely correlated with the levels of miR-29a/b/c. A Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated that the miR-29a/b/c and TRAF4 levels were closely associated with patient survival even in patients with the same tumor grade and identical IDH gene status. A functional study verified that miR-29a/b/c induced apoptosis and suppressed the proliferation of glioma cells by directly targeting TRAF4. An investigation of the mechanism revealed that miR-29a/b/c promoted apoptosis through the TRAF4/AKT/MDM2 pathway in a p53-dependent manner, while miR-29a/b/c induced G1 arrest and inhibited tumor cell proliferation by blocking the phosphorylation of AKT and GSK-3β, and the expression of cyclin D1 and c-Myc. Furthermore, TRAF4-knockdown perfectly simulated the anti-glioma effects of miR-29a/b/c. These findings enrich our understanding of gliomagenesis, highlight the prognostic value of miR-29a/b/c and TRAF4, and imply their potential therapeutic roles in malignant gliomas.
Reversal of homocysteine-induced neurotoxicity in rat hippocampal neurons by astaxanthin: evidences for mitochondrial dysfunction and signaling crosstalk
Authors: Wang Xian-jun , Chen Wang , Fu Xiao-ting , Ma Jin-kui , Wang Mei-hong , Hou Ya-jun , Tian Da-chen , Fu Xiao-yan , Fan Cun-dong
Published: October 2018

Elevated plasma level of homocysteine (Hcy) represents an independent risk for neurological diseases, and induction of oxidative damage is considered as one of the most important pathomechanisms. Astaxanthin (ATX) exhibits strong antioxidant activity in kinds of experimental models. However, the potential of ATX against Hcy-induced neurotoxicity has not been well explored yet. Herein, the neuroprotective effect of ATX against Hcy-induced neurotoxicity in rat hippocampal neurons was examined, and the underlying mechanism was evaluated. The results showed that ATX pre-treatment completely reversed Hcy-induced neurotoxicity through inhibiting cell apoptosis in rat primary hippocampal neurons. The mechanical investigation revealed that ATX effectively blocked Hcy-induced mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating Bcl-2 family and opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP). ATX pre-treatment also attenuated Hcy-induced oxidative damage via inhibiting the release of intracellular reactive oxide species (ROS) and superoxide anion through regulating MPTP opening. Moreover, normalization of MAPKs and PI3K/AKT pathways also contributed to ATX-mediated protective effects. Taken together, these results above suggested that ATX has the potential to reverse Hcy-induced neurotoxicity and apoptosis by inhibiting mitochondrial dysfunction, ROS-mediated oxidative damage and regulation of MAKPs and AKT pathways, which validated the strategy of using ATX could be a highly effective way in combating Hcy-mediated neurological disorders.
Rapid diagnostic assay for detection of cellulose in urine as biomarker for biofilm-related urinary tract infections
Authors: Antypas Haris , Choong Ferdinand X. , Libberton Ben , Brauner Annelie , Richter-Dahlfors Agneta
Published: October 2018

The ability of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) to adopt a biofilm lifestyle in the urinary tract is suggested as one cause of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). A clinical role of UPEC biofilm is further supported by the presence of bacterial aggregates in urine of UTI patients. Yet, no diagnostics exist to differentiate between the planktonic and biofilm lifestyle of bacteria. Here, we developed a rapid diagnostic assay for biofilm-related UTI, based on the detection of cellulose in urine. Cellulose, a component of biofilm extracellular matrix, is detected by a luminescent-conjugated oligothiophene, which emits a conformation-dependent fluorescence spectrum when bound to a target molecule. We first defined the cellulose-specific spectral signature in the extracellular matrix of UPEC biofilm colonies, and used these settings to detect cellulose in urine. To translate this optotracing assay for clinical use, we composed a workflow that enabled rapid isolation of urine sediment and screening for the presence of UPEC-derived cellulose in <45 min. Using multivariate analysis, we analyzed spectral information obtained between 464 and 508 nm by optotracing of urine from 182 UTI patients and 8 healthy volunteers. Cellulose was detected in 14.8% of UTI urine samples. Using cellulose as a biomarker for biofilm-related UTI, our data provide direct evidence that UPEC forms biofilm in the urinary tract. Clinical implementation of this rapid, non-invasive and user-friendly optotracing diagnostic assay will potentially aid clinicians in the design of effective antibiotic treatment.
Author Correction: Cold-season disasters on the Eurasian steppes: Climate-driven or man-made
Authors: Nandintsetseg Banzragch , Shinoda Masato , Du Chunling , Munkhjargal Erdenebadrakh
Published: October 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has not been fixed in the paper.
Whole genome sequencing, variant analysis, phylogenetics, and deep sequencing of Zika virus strains
Authors: Shrivastava Susmita , Puri Vinita , Dilley Kari A. , Ngouajio Erica , Shifflett Jessica , Oldfield Lauren M. , Fedorova Nadia B. , Hu Lihui , Williams Torrey , Durbin Alan , Amedeo Paolo , Rashid Sujatha , Shabman Reed S. , Pickett Brett E.
Published: October 2018

The recent emergence of Zika virus (ZIKV) has been concentrated in the Caribbean, Southeastern United States, and South- and Central America; resulting in travel-based cases being reported around the globe. As multi-disciplinary collaborations are combatting the ZIKV outbreak, the need to validate the sequence of existing strains has become apparent. Here, we report high-quality sequence data for multiple ZIKV strains made publicly available through the National Institutes of Health- (NIH) funded biorepository, BEI Resources (www.beiresources.org). Next-generation sequencing, 3′ rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), and viral genome annotation pipelines generated GenBank sequence records for 16 BEI Resources strains. Minor variants, consensus mutations, and consensus insertions/deletions were identified within the viral stocks using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and consensus changes were confirmed with Sanger sequencing. Bioinformatics analyses of the sequencing results confirm that the virus stocks available to the scientific research community through BEI Resources adequately represent the viral population diversity of ZIKV.
Realization of real-time X-ray stereoscopic vision during interventional procedures
Authors: Deng Kai , Wei Bo , Chen Mo , Huang Zhiyin , Wu Hao
Published: October 2018

During interventional procedures, the deficiencies of nonstereoscopic vision increase the difficulty of identifying the anteroposterior direction and pathways of vessels. Therefore, achieving real-time stereoscopic vision during interventional procedures is meaningful. Pairs of X-ray images were captured with identical parameter settings, except for different rotation angles (represented as the α angle). The resulting images at these α angles were used as left-eye and right-eye views and were horizontally merged into single left-right 3D images. Virtual reality (VR) glasses were used for achieving stereo vision. Pairs of X-ray images from four angiographies with different α angles (1.8–3.4°) were merged into left-right 3D images. Observation with VR glasses can produce realistic stereo views of vascular anatomical structure. The results showed that the optimal α angles accepted by the brain for generating stereo vision were within a narrow range (approximately 1.4–4.1°). Subsequent tests showed that during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, 3D X-ray stereoscopic images provided significantly improved spatial discrimination and convenience for identifying the supply vessels of a liver tumor and its anteroposterior direction compared with plain X-ray images (all P < 0.01). Real-time X-ray stereoscopic vision can be easily achieved via the straightforward method described herein and has the potential to benefit patients during interventional procedures.
Using patient-derived iPSCs to develop humanized mouse models for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and therapeutic drug identification, including liposomal clodronate
Authors: Taoka Kazuki , Arai Shunya , Kataoka Keisuke , Hosoi Masataka , Miyauchi Masashi , Yamazaki Sho , Honda Akira , Aixinjueluo Wei , Kobayashi Takashi , Kumano Keiki , Yoshimi Akihide , Otsu Makoto , Niwa Akira , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , Nakauchi Hiromitsu , Kurokawa Mineo
Published: October 2018

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) is an entity of myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasm. Although CMML can be cured with allogeneic stem cell transplantation, its prognosis is generally very poor due to the limited efficacy of chemotherapy and to the patient’s age, which is usually not eligible for transplantation. Comprehensive analysis of CMML pathophysiology and the development of therapeutic agents have been limited partly due to the lack of cell lines in CMML and the limited developments of mouse models. After successfully establishing patient’s derived disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from a patient with CMML, we utilized these CMML-iPSCs to achieve hematopoietic re-differentiation in vitro, created a humanized CMML mouse model via teratomas, and developed a drug-testing system. The clinical characteristics of CMML were recapitulated following hematopoietic re-differentiation in vitro and a humanized CMML mouse model in vivo. The drug-testing system using CMML-iPSCs identified a MEK inhibitor, a Ras inhibitor, and liposomal clodronate as potential drugs for treating CMML. Clodronate is a drug commonly used as a bisphosphonate for osteoporosis. In this study, the liposomalization of clodronate enhanced its effectiveness in these assays, suggesting that this variation of clodronate may be adopted as a repositioned drug for CMML therapy.