bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical Thermal Safety Technologies of Spent Fuel Dry Storage Cask
Authors: Tang Qiong-Hui , Qi Xiao-Ying , Yu Chu-Yang , Zhang Xue-Ling
Published: October 2017

The decay heat removal analysis is considered as one of the four items of dry storage system safety analysis in addition to criticality analysis, confinement analyses and radiation protection analysis. This paper has illustrated the related standards and rules to be followed, and demonstrated the CFD simulation of a vertical spent fuel dry storage cask. Furthermore, the thermal analysis is applied in developing new materials, and the optimization of loading schemes in one operation. The above applications have proved that thermal analysis plays critical role in the design and operation of spent fuel dry storage system.
Study of Vibration and Sound Transmission Characteristics in Condenser Pipe System
Authors: Xingsheng Lao , Xu Peng , Shiwei Yao , Pingjian Ming
Published: October 2017

Effect of surrounding fluid or steam flow fluctuation on internal flow fluctuation in heat transfer pipe is analyzed based on fluid and structure interaction simulation by using commercial code Ansys workbench. Simulation results show that the effect of surrounding steam could be ignored, as the difference between pipe wall vibration level actuated by surrounding fluid flow and that actuated by surrounding steam flow is very notable. The results also show the internal flow pressure fluctuation spectrum is well in accordance with that of surrounding flow. Then the effect of surrounding fluid fluctuation on internal flow noise transmission in heat transfer pipe is taken into considered and the insertion loss of circulation coolant water flow noise between condenser inlet and outlet is calculated by a matrix transfer method developed in this paper. An experiment on 3t/h class condenser system is conducted, the experimental results of insertion loss of vibration level and coolant flow noise between condenser inlet and outlet is a little larger than the calculated results, as the effect of condense shell structure is not considered in the model. It can be concluded that, 1, internal coolant flow and the pipe structure are closely coupled, and hereby flow fluctuation is an important contribution to pipe vibration level in condenser pipe system. 2, surrounding flow actuating vibration of heat transfer pipe is mostly induced by condensate fluctuation at the bottom area while the top area steam flow fluctuation induced pipe vibration is neglectable. 3, insertion loss of vibration level and coolant flow noise between condenser inlet and outlet changes little as operation condition changes.
Control System Design of Supercritical CO2 Direct Cycle Gas Fast Reactor
Authors: Zhang Xianshan , Sun Peiwei
Published: October 2017

The Supercritical CO2 Direct Cycle Gas Fast Reactor (SC-GFR) is a Generation IV reactor. The thermal properties of supercritical carbon dioxide are different from helium gas. Therefore, it is necessary to develop its dynamic model and study its control system. A mathematical model is developed for the SC-GFR. One prompt neutron group point kinetics equations with six groups of delayed neutrons is applied in the model. The core consists of an assembly of hexagonal fuel elements: the innovative Tube-in-Duct (TID) fuel assembly. Steady-state calculation is performed and the results are compared with the design data. The transient results are analyzed and the responses are reasonable in theory. The transient results show that the model can properly predict the SC-GFR dynamics. The study showed that it is not only feasible to build a numerical model of the SC-GFR, but also the control system can satisfy the design purposes.
The Experimental Study on Stratification and Transport of Hydrogen in the Containment With Light Non-Condensable Gas
Authors: Lee Xiaobo , Lyu Xuefeng , Ji Ke
Published: October 2017

This study was based on the passive containment thermal hydraulic facility, which locating in Beijing Key Laboratory of Passive Nuclear Power Safety and Technology, North China Electric Power University, Beijing. The platform was built in the year of 2010, Pro. Niue has carried out a series of studies about the thermal stratification and concentration stratification for air and water vapour and achieved remarkable results.

In this paper, the experimental test is divided into two consecutive stages: phase A and phase B. Phase A is the injection phase of steam, however, phase B is divided into three steps, include hydrogen injection, no injection, opening the external spray, to study the stratification and transport of hydrogen (replaced with helium) in a cylindrical steel container which has ellipsoid dome, and also discussing the change of hydrogen concentration near the wall over time. Except for this, the distribution of hydrogen during the third step is also emphasized. For the transport of gas, it has not given the direct result of measuring in this paper, but it gave the analysis of transport which is based on the hydrogen concentration at different stages, different location of the containment over the time. It can be found that: 1) during the stages of hydrogen injection, no injection, the stratification is obvious, but, the helium concentration in the dome space is uniform, and the transport of the gas is mainly affected by the thermal buoyancy and jet, 2) near the wall-area, the trend of droplet entrainment is obvious, 3) during the stage of opening the external spray, the mixture of gas is intensified and the stratification is weakened.
The Movement Process Simulation of CRDM
Authors: Wang Guangji , Liu Gang
Published: October 2017

The motion of CRDM (Control Rod Drive Mechanism) is affected by the electro-magnetic force and the fluid resistance, also the movement process affected the control system. In this paper, we considered all the coupled factor and try to decouple the problem to several simple problems. We supposed 3 decoupling methods, and try to verification each assumption, and finally we found that an assumption is valid — the electromagnetic force is mainly affected by the displacement of CRDM in the attract process of kinetic jaw armature and kinetic jaw magnetic pole. We studied the fluid resistance force by CFD simulation, and exported the force to the electromagnetic model which is built by Infolytica/Magnet, the control system model is built by Matlab/Simulink coupling interface.

In order to simulate the continuous movement process of CRDM, we studied the boundary data at each time period, and linked each period by in-house code. Then we tested the coupling simulation, listed the duration time of electric current and the movement duration time of mechanism. Compare to the test data, the maximum error is 17%. On the whole, this solution coupled CFD, electro-magnetic and control system, the simulation result can help engineers to optimize the control algorithm and shape design in a certain extent.
Coiled Tube Air Heater Test Loop Design
Authors: Andreades Charalampos , Greenop Andrew , Gallagher Shane , Choi Jae Keun , Peterson Per
Published: October 2017

Coiled tube air heaters (CTAH) are heat exchangers currently under investigation at the University of California, Berkeley for application to Reheat Air-Brayton Combined Cycles (RACC). In a CTAH, molten fluoride salt on the tube side heats air on the shell side in a cross-counterflow arrangement, leading to high heat exchange effectiveness, while the coiled geometry provides good transient mechanical performance during thermal transients.

This paper describes the important phenomenology involved in CTAH design and operation, such as salt freezing, flow induced vibration, start-up and shut-down control, and air circulating power requirements. The THEEM simulation tool used in the design of CTAHs and its validation against simple water to air test sub-bundles is presented. Finally, an initial design for a demonstration 370 kWth CTAH closed air test loop is presented. This test loop design, when constructed, would enable demonstration of salt-to-air heating under conditions relevant to RACC power conversion (air pressures from 4 to 20 atm and air temperatures from 400 to 650°C).
Numerical Study on Heat Transfer and Resistance of a Tube Fitted With New Twisted Tapes for Lubricating Oil
Authors: Liu Xiaoya , Ding Ming , Bian Haozhi , Yan Changqi , Li Chun
Published: October 2017

Oil coolers are widely-used in nuclear power plants which cool oil flowed through the bearing of steam turbines to a suitable temperature in order for the safe operation of steam turbines. Owing to the high viscosity, the flow state of oil is generally laminar flow or transition flow, which easily leads to poor heat transfer capability and thus a large volume of the oil coolers. The insertion of twisted tapes in circular tube is a passive method widely-used for enhancing heat transfer of laminar or transition flow. However, little research focuses on the heat transfer of highly-viscous fluids inside tube using the twisted tapes. The article will present the numerical simulations of the swirling flow induced by a new coaxial cross twisted tape inserts in a heat transfer tube with lubricating oil. The effects of the clearance ratios and twist ratios on oil side heat transfer coefficient, friction factor and performance evaluation criterion will be numerically investigated using CFD computer software STAR-CCM+. The clearance ratios are 0.077, 0.154 and 0.231. The twist ratios are 2.0 and 4.0. The boundary condition of simulation is constant wall temperature for the Reynolds number ranging from 200 to 1300. The results indicate that the new coaxial cross twisted tapes are efficacious in enhancing the heat transfer of the lubricating oil inside tube. When the clear ratio is 0.077, the effect of heat transfer enhancement of the coaxial cross twisted tapes is better than that of traditional twisted tapes. Furthermore, the highest performance evaluation criterion is up to 2.3.
One Method to Design a Heat Exchanger for Equipment Cooling Water
Authors: Yi Liao , Lei Chen , Jinrong Qiu
Published: October 2017

The equipment cooling water heat exchanger is an important device in the component cooling water system. In this paper, the Bell-Delaware method was applied to achieve a preliminary design of equipment cooling water heat exchanger and a very mature design software HTRI6.0 was used to check the results. On the basis of HTRI6.0 results, the relative error of the total heat transfer coefficient and the total heat transfer area were 1.35% and 0.2%, respectively. The effective length of the heat exchanger tube and the number of the baffle plates are consistent. The design result of the Bell-Delaware method meets the actual heat transfer requirements and the heat exchanger design satisfies the requirements of vibration.
Framing Uncertainty in Pipeline Geohazard Assessment for Integrity Management and Iterative Risk Assessment
Authors: Read Rodney , Malpartida Moya John Erick , Massucco de la Sota Giancarlo
Published: October 2017

Pipeline geohazard assessment is becoming recognized by operators and regulators as an increasingly important constituent of overall integrity management and iterative risk assessment of pipelines. An ongoing challenge in assessing the threat posed to a pipeline by various geohazard mechanisms within the B31.8S category of Weather-related and Outside Force is the degree of uncertainty associated with estimates of frequency of occurrence, vulnerability, and loss of containment for individual and cospatial geohazard mechanisms. When combined with threats of other types, such as corrosion and third party damage, estimates of geohazard occurrence frequency and their associated frequency (or probability) of loss of containment may seem imprecise and uncertain. This paper discusses a framework for assessing geohazard susceptibility and the associated uncertainty, and means of incorporating and communicating uncertainty in hazard and risk assessments. Examples are provided from a case study in Perú.
Indoor noise annoyance due to 3–5 megawatt wind turbines—An exposure–response relationship
Authors: Hongisto Valtteri , Oliva David , Keränen Jukka
Published: October 2017

The existing exposure–response relationships describing the association between wind turbine sound level and noise annoyance concern turbine sizes of 0.15–3.0 MW. The main purpose of this study was to determine a relationship concerning turbines with nominal power of 3–5 MW. A cross-sectional survey was conducted around three wind power areas in Finland. The survey involved all households within a 2 km distance from the nearest turbine. Altogether, 429 households out of 753 participated. The households were exposed to wind turbine noise having sound levels within 26.7–44.2 dB LAeq. Standard prediction methods were applied to determine the sound level, LAeq, in each participant's yard. The measured sound level agreed well with the predicted sound level. The exposure–response relationship was derived between LAeq outdoors and the indoor noise annoyance. The relationship was in rather good agreement with two previous studies involving much smaller turbines (0.15–1.5 MW) under 40 dB LAeq. The Community Tolerance Level (CTL), CTL20 = 50 dB, was 3 dB lower than for two previous studies. Above 40 dB, a small number of participants prevented a reliable comparison to previous studies.
Modeling signal propagation in the human cochlea
Authors: Neely Stephen T. , Rasetshwane Daniel M.
Published: October 2017

The level-dependent component of the latency of human auditory brainstem responses (ABR) to tonebursts decreases by about 38% for every 20-dB increase in stimulus level over a wide range of both frequency and level [Neely, Norton, Gorga, and Jesteadt (1998). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 31, 87–97]. This level-dependence has now been simulated in an active, nonlinear, transmission-line model of cochlear mechanics combined with an adaptation stage. The micromechanics in this model are similar to previous models except that a dual role is proposed for the tectorial membrane (TM): (1) passive sharpening the tuning of sensory-cell inputs (relative to basilar-membrane vibrations) and (2) providing an optimal phase shift (relative to basilar-membrane vibrations) of outer-hair-cell feedback forces, so that amplification is restricted to a limited range of frequencies. The adaptation stage, which represents synaptic adaptation of neural signals, contributes to the latency level-dependence more at low frequencies than at high frequencies. Compression in this model spans the range of audible sound levels with a compression ratio of about 2:1. With further development, the proposed model of cochlear micromechanics could be useful both (1) as a front-end to functional models of the auditory system and (2) as a foundation for understanding the physiological basis of cochlear amplification.
Sub-antenna processing for coherence loss in underwater direction of arrival estimation
Authors: Lefort Riwal , Emmetière Rémi , Bourmani Sabrina , Real Gaultier , Drémeau Angélique
Published: October 2017

This paper deals with the loss of coherence in underwater direction-of-arrival estimation. The coherence loss, which typically arises from dynamical ocean fluctuations and unknown environmental parameters, may take the form of a multiplicative colored random noise applied to the measured acoustic signal. This specific multiplicative noise needs to be addressed with methodological developments. This paper proposes a weighting process that locally mitigates the effects of the coherence loss. More specially, a set of coherent sub-antennas is designed from the so-called Mutual Coherence Function (MCF). The assessed source position results from the combination of each sub-antenna by using a mixed norm. Two experiments are considered in the paper: either a random noise is sampled to simulate the effect of random ocean fluctuations, or a synthetic acoustic waveguide is used in which the coherence loss is due to some multipath interferences. It is shown that the weighting process allows for a decrease in the estimation error in comparison to a Conventional Beamformer (CB).
A spinner's secrets
Authors: Altounian Valerie , Pennisi Elizabeth , Service Robert F.
Published: October 2017

A living fiber factory.
Taxon-restricted genes at the origin of a novel trait allowing access to a new environment
Authors: Santos M. Emília , Le Bouquin Augustin , Crumière Antonin J. J. , Khila Abderrahman
Published: October 2017

Fans enable water strider adaptation

Genomes of closely related organisms are similar but contain variations that enable different phenotypes and lifestyles. The origin of evolutionary innovations, such as insect wings and bird feathers, poses a challenge to evolutionary biology because the de novo emergence of complex traits cannot easily be explained by natural selection. Water-walking
Rhagovelia
insects evolved a propelling fan on the middle leg that is associated with life on fast-flowing streams. Santos
et al.
discovered that the
geisha
and
mother-of-geisha
genes underlie fan development and evolution and that this evolutionary innovation is essential to the adaptation of
Rhagovelia
to its environment. Thus, the evolution of taxon-restricted genes can contribute directly to taxon-restricted novelties that allow access to unexploited ecological niches.

Science
, this issue p.
386
D
4
dopamine receptor high-resolution structures enable the discovery of selective agonists
Authors: Wang Sheng , Wacker Daniel , Levit Anat , Che Tao , Betz Robin M. , McCorvy John D. , Venkatakrishnan A. J. , Huang Xi-Ping , Dror Ron O. , Shoichet Brian K. , Roth Bryan L.
Published: October 2017

A strategy for drug discovery

Dopamine receptors are G protein-coupled receptors implicated in many neurological disorders. Different families of dopamine receptors are involved in different signaling pathways, so specificity is a key goal of therapeutics. Wang
et al.
present high-resolution crystal structures of the DRD4 dopamine receptor bound to the antipsychotic drug nemonapride. The high resolution of the structures facilitated ligand docking, and a DRD4-selective agonist was identified by computational screening of a large library, experimental testing of compounds with the best docking scores, and iterative cycles of docking and testing analogs of those compounds. The identified agonist had a high affinity for DRD4 and no measurable affinity for DRD2 or DRD3.

Science
, this issue p.
381
Chaos-assisted broadband momentum transformation in optical microresonators
Authors: Jiang Xuefeng , Shao Linbo , Zhang Shu-Xin , Yi Xu , Wiersig Jan , Wang Li , Gong Qihuang , Lončar Marko , Yang Lan , Xiao Yun-Feng
Published: October 2017

Harnessing chaos for enhanced coupling

Functional optical devices typically require the coupling of light between different components. However, conservation of momentum usually limits the bandwidth of the coupling, often to a near-resonant effect. Jiang
et al.
show that slightly deformed microring resonators might be able to relax those restrictions. The chaotic scattering of the light within the deformed structure can transform optical modes of different angular momenta within a few picoseconds, providing a promising route to develop advanced nanophotonic circuits and devices.

Science
, this issue p.
344
Stable Chromosomal Expression of Shigella flexneri 2a and 3a O-Antigens in the Live Salmonella Oral Vaccine Vector Ty21a
Authors: Dharmasena Madushini N. , Osorio Manuel , Takeda Kazuyo , Stibitz Scott , Kopecko Dennis J.
Published: October 2017

We have been exploring the use of the live attenuated
Salmonella enterica
serovar Typhi Ty21a vaccine strain as a versatile oral vaccine vector for the expression and delivery of multiple foreign antigens, including
Shigella
O-antigens. In this study, we separately cloned genes necessary for the biosynthesis of the
Shigella flexneri
serotype 2a and 3a O-antigens, which have been shown to provide broad cross-protection to multiple disease-predominant
S. flexneri
serotypes. The cloned
S. flexneri
2a
rfb
operon, along with
bgt
and
gtrII
, contained on the SfII bacteriophage, was sufficient in Ty21a to express the heterologous
S. flexneri
2a O-antigen containing the 3,4 antigenic determinants. Further, this
rfb
operon, along with
gtrA
,
gtrB
, and
gtrX
contained on the Sfx bacteriophage and
oac
contained on the Sf6 bacteriophage, was sufficient to express
S. flexneri
3a O-antigen containing the 6, 7, and 8 antigenic determinants. Ty21a, with these plasmid-carried or chromosomally inserted genes, demonstrated simultaneous and stable expression of homologous
S
. Typhi O-antigen plus the heterologous
S. flexneri
O-antigen. Candidate Ty21a vaccine strains expressing heterologous
S. flexneri
2a or 3a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) elicited significant serum antibody responses against both homologous
S
. Typhi and heterologous
Shigella
LPS and protected mice against virulent
S. flexneri
2a or 3a challenges. These new
S. flexneri
2a and 3a O-antigen-expressing Ty21a vaccine strains, together with our previously constructed Ty21a strains expressing
Shigella sonnei
or
Shigella dysenteriae
1 O-antigens, have the potential to be used together for simultaneous protection against the predominant causes of shigellosis worldwide as well as against typhoid fever.
“Smart Diagnosis” of Parasitic Diseases by Use of Smartphones
Authors: Saeed Muhammad A. , Jabbar Abdul
Published: October 2017

Accurate and rapid diagnosis is crucial in combating parasitic diseases that cause millions of deaths worldwide. However, the scarcity of specialized diagnostic equipment in low- and middle-income countries is one of the barriers to effective management of parasitic diseases and warrants the need for alternative, inexpensive, point-of-care diagnostic tools. Due to their multiple built-in sensors, smartphones offer cost-effective alternative to expensive diagnostic devices. However, the use of smartphones in parasitic diagnoses remains in its infancy. This minireview describes various smartphone-based devices applied specifically for the diagnosis of parasitic diseases and discusses challenges and potential implications for their use in future.
Extended Synaptotagmin 1 Interacts with Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Glycoprotein M and Negatively Modulates Virus-Induced Membrane Fusion
Authors: El Kasmi Imane , Khadivjam Bita , Lackman Miki , Duron Johanne , Bonneil Eric , Thibault Pierre , Lippé Roger
Published: October 2017

Enveloped viruses typically encode their own fusion machinery to enter cells. Herpesviruses are unusual, as they fuse with a number of cellular compartments throughout their life cycles. As uncontrolled fusion of the host membranes should be avoided in these events, tight regulation of the viral fusion machinery is critical. While studying herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein gM, we identified the cellular protein E-Syt1 (extended synaptotagmin 1) as an interaction partner. The interaction took place in both infected and transfected cells, suggesting other viral proteins were not required for the interaction. Most interestingly, E-Syt1 is a member of the synaptotagmin family of membrane fusion regulators. However, the protein is known to promote the tethering of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the plasma membrane. We now show that E-Syt1, along with the related E-Syt3, negatively modulates viral release into the extracellular milieu, cell-to-cell viral spread, and viral entry, all processes that implicate membrane fusion events. Similarly, these E-Syt proteins impacted the formation of virus-induced syncytia. Altogether, these findings hint at the modulation of the viral fusion machinery by the E-Syt family of proteins.

IMPORTANCE
Viruses typically encode their own fusion apparatus to enable them to enter cells. For many viruses, this means a single fusogenic protein. However, herpesviruses are large entities that express several accessory viral proteins to regulate their fusogenic activity. The present study hints at the additional participation of cellular proteins in this process, suggesting the host can also modulate viral fusion to some extent. Hence E-Syt proteins 1 and 3 seem to negatively modulate the different viral fusion events that take place during the HSV-1 life cycle. This could represent yet another innate immunity response to the virus.
Plasmodium falciparum
Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase 2 Is Critical for Male Gametocyte Exflagellation but Not Essential for Asexual Proliferation
Authors: Bansal Abhisheka , Molina-Cruz Alvaro , Brzostowski Joseph , Mu Jianbing , Miller Louis H.
Published: October 2017

Drug development efforts have focused mostly on the asexual blood stages of the malaria parasite
Plasmodium falciparum
. Except for primaquine, which has its own limitations, there are no available drugs that target the transmission of the parasite to mosquitoes. Therefore, there is a need to validate new parasite proteins that can be targeted for blocking transmission.
P. falciparum
calcium-dependent protein kinases (
Pf
CDPKs) play critical roles at various stages of the parasite life cycle and, importantly, are absent in the human host. These features mark them as attractive drug targets. In this study, using CRISPR/Cas9 we successfully knocked out
Pf
CDPK2 from blood-stage parasites, which was previously thought to be an indispensable protein. The growth rate of the
Pf
CDPK2 knockout (KO) parasites was similar to that of wild-type parasites, confirming that
Pf
CDPK2 function is not essential for the asexual proliferation of the parasite
in vitro
. The mature male and female gametocytes of
Pf
CDPK2 KO parasites become round after induction. However, they fail to infect female
Anopheles stephensi
mosquitoes due to a defect(s) in male gametocyte exflagellation and possibly in female gametes.

IMPORTANCE
Despite reductions in the number of deaths it causes, malaria continues to be a leading infectious disease of the developing world. For effective control and elimination of malaria, multiple stages of the parasite need to be targeted. One such stage includes the transmission of the parasite to mosquitoes. Here, we demonstrate the successful knockout of
Pf
CDPK2, which was previously thought to be indispensable for parasite growth in red blood cells. The
Pf
CDPK2 KO parasites are incapable of establishing an infection in mosquitoes. Therefore, our study suggests that targeting
Pf
CDPK2 may be a good strategy to control malaria transmission in countries with high transmission. Moreover, molecular understanding of the signaling pathway of
Pf
CDPK2 may provide additional targets for malaria control.
Essential Assembly Factor Rpf2 Forms Novel Interactions within the 5S RNP in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Kamina Anyango D. , Jaremko Daniel , Christen Linda , Williams Noreen
Published: October 2017

Trypanosoma brucei
is the parasitic protozoan that causes African sleeping sickness. Ribosome assembly is essential for the survival of this parasite through the different host environments it encounters during its life cycle. The assembly of the 5S ribonucleoprotein particle (5S RNP) functions as one of the regulatory checkpoints during ribosome biogenesis. We have previously characterized the 5S RNP in
T. brucei
and showed that trypanosome-specific proteins P34 and P37 are part of this complex. In this study, we characterize for the first time the interactions of the homolog of the assembly factor Rpf2 with members of the 5S RNP in another organism besides fungi. Our studies show that Rpf2 is essential in
T. brucei
and that it forms unique interactions within the 5S RNP, particularly with P34 and P37. These studies have identified parasite-specific interactions that can potentially function as new therapeutic targets against sleeping sickness.
Multimodal imaging of small hard retinal drusen in young healthy adults
Authors: Pedersen Hilde R , Gilson Stuart J , Dubra Alfredo , Munch Inger Christine , Larsen Michael , Baraas Rigmor C
Published: October 2017

Background

Small hard macular drusen can be observed in the retina of adults as young as 18 years of age. Here, we seek to describe the in vivo topography and geometry of these drusen.

Methods

Retinal images were acquired in young, healthy adults using colour fundus photography, spectral domain optic coherence tomography (SD-OCT), reflectance flood-illuminated adaptive optic ophthalmoscopy (AO flood) and reflectance adaptive optic scanning light ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) in both confocal and non-confocal split-detection modalities. Small bright yellow hard drusen within a 10 degree radius from the foveal centre were characterised.

Results

Small hard drusen were seen on colour photographs in 21 out of 97 participants and 26 drusen in 12 eyes in 11 participants were imaged using the full protocol. Drusen were easily identifiable in all modalities, except a few very small ones, which were not visible on SD-OCT. On AOSLO images, these drusen appeared as round, oval or lobular areas (up to three lobules) of diameter 22–61 µm where cone photoreceptor reflectivity and density was decreased (p=0.049). This was usually associated with discrete thickening of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) complex.

Conclusion

High lateral resolution imaging of small lobular hard retinal drusen suggests formation through the confluence of two or more smaller round lesions. The outline and size of these smaller lesions corresponds to 1–4 RPE cells. Prospective longitudinal studies are needed to determine the ultimate fate of small hard drusen and their potential relation to age-related macular degeneration.
Economics of size-structured forestry with carbon storage
Authors: Assmuth Aino , Rämö Janne , Tahvonen Olli
Published: October 2017

We study the economics of carbon storage using a model that includes forest size structure and determines the choice between rotation forestry and continuous cover forestry. Optimal harvests may rely solely on thinning, implying infinite rotation and continuous cover forestry, or both thinning and clearcuts, implying finite rotation periods. Given several carbon prices and interest rates, we optimize the timing and intensity of thinnings along with the choice of management regime. In addition to the carbon storage in living trees, we include the carbon dynamics of dead trees and timber products. Forest growth is specified by an empirically validated transition matrix model for Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). The optimization problem is solved in its general dynamic form by applying bilevel optimization with gradient-based interior point methods and a genetic algorithm. Carbon pricing postpones thinnings, increases stand density by directing harvests to larger trees, and typically yields a regime shift from rotation forestry to continuous cover forestry. In continuous cover solutions, the steady-state harvesting interval and the diameter distribution of standing and harvested trees are sensitive to carbon price, implying that carbon pricing increases the sawlog ratio of timber yields. Additionally, we obtain relatively inexpensive stand-level marginal costs of carbon storage.
Protecting quantum coherence in an open system under non-inertial frames
Authors: Wang Long-Fei , Du Ming-Ming , Ye Liu
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we explore the dynamics and protection of quantum coherence in an open system under non-inertial frames by weak measurement and reversal, and design four strategies to protect the quantum coherence of an initial two-qubit entangled state, when the systems suffer from amplitude damping (AD) channel and one subsystem is under non-inertial frames. In practice, there is no strict inertial frames, decoherence and degradation of the quantum coherence caused by the Unruh effect form acceleration will have a significant interaction, therefore it is important to find some means to protect quantum coherence under non-inertial frames.
Free Lie differential Rota–Baxter algebras and Gröbner–Shirshov bases
Authors: Qiu Jianjun , Chen Yuqun
Published: October 2017

We establish the Gröbner–Shirshov bases theory for Lie differential [Formula: see text]-algebras. As an application, we give a linear basis of a free Lie differential Rota–Baxter algebra on a set.
Unified DE–DM with diffusive interactions scenario from scalar fields
Authors: Benisty David , Guendelman E. I.
Published: October 2017

Generalized models of unified dark matter (DM) and dark energy (DE) in the context of Two Measure Theories and of dynamical spacetime theories are obtained. In Two Measure Theories, one uses metric independent volume elements and this allows to construct unified DM and DE, where the cosmological constant appears as an integration constant associated to the equation of motion of the measure fields. The dynamical spacetime theories generalize the Two Measure Theories by introducing a vector field whose equation of motion guarantees the conservation of a certain energy–momentum tensor, which may be related, but in general is not the same as the gravitational energy–momentum tensor. By considering the dynamical space field appearing in another part of the action (apart from the coupling to the energy–momentum tensor), we can obtain noncovariant energy–momentum conservation. Then, the dynamical spacetime theory becomes a theory of diffusive unified DE and DM. The nonconserved energy–momentum tensors lead at the end to a formulation of interacting DE–DM models in the form of a diffusive type interacting unified DE and DM scenario. We solved analytically the theories for asymptotic solution, and we show that the [Formula: see text]CDM is a fixed point of these theories at large times.
Locality from quantum gravity: All or nothing
Authors: Engelhardt Netta , Fischetti Sebastian
Published: October 2017

In a full theory of quantum gravity, local physics is expected to be approximate rather than innate. It is therefore important to understand how approximate locality in our universe emerges in the semiclassical limit. Here, we show that any notion of locality emergent from a holographic theory of quantum gravity is “all or nothing”: local data is not obtained gradually from subregions of the boundary, but is rather obtained all at once when enough of the boundary is accessed. Our assumptions are mild and thus this feature is quite general; for concreteness, we show how this phenomenon manifests in the special case of AdS/CFT.
On galaxy rotation curves from a continuum mechanics approach to modified gravity
Authors: Böhmer Christian G. , Tamanini Nicola , Wright Matthew
Published: October 2017

We consider a modification of General Relativity motivated by the treatment of anisotropies in Continuum Mechanics. The Newtonian limit of the theory is formulated and applied to galactic rotation curves. By assuming that the additional structure of spacetime behaves like a Newtonian gravitational potential for small deviations from isotropy, we are able to recover the Navarro–Frenk–White profile of dark matter halos by a suitable identification of constants. We consider the Burkert profile in the context of our model and also discuss rotation curves more generally.
EFFECT OF NANO RARE EARTH ON CORROSION RESISTANCE OF THERMAL SPRAYED WC/12Co COATING
Authors: ZHOU HONGXIA , ZHU FAYAN , MA GUOJUN , XUE CAIHONG , HU YONGKANG
Published: October 2017

Rare earth has been widely used in materials manufacturing to improve mechanical properties. In this paper, Nano-CeO2-modified WC/12Co coating with biomodal-sized WC was produced by using high speed oxygen flaming (HVOF) spraying technology. XRD phase analysis showed that the decarburization of WC in coating doped with nano-CeO2 was slighter than no-doped coating. Potentiodynamic polarization showed that the nano rare earth modifier had improved the corrosion resistance of WC/12Co coating. In addition, long-term immersion in 3.5[Formula: see text]wt.% NaCl solution was conducted and the surface morphologies after immersed 200[Formula: see text]h were observed to investigate the corrosion mechanisms. The results showed WC-12Co coatings with 2[Formula: see text]wt.% nano-CeO2 possessed better corrosion resistance and the one without nano rare earth was corroded seriously. The positive effect of CeO2 on corrosion resistance of WC/12Co coating can be attributed to the improvement of interfacial strength between Co binder phase and WC particles.
Reconstructing protein and gene phylogenies using reconciliation and soft-clustering
Authors: Kuitche Esaie , Lafond Manuel , Ouangraoua Aïda
Published: October 2017

The architecture of eukaryotic coding genes allows the production of several different protein isoforms by genes. Current gene phylogeny reconstruction methods make use of a single protein product per gene, ignoring information on alternative protein isoforms. These methods often lead to inaccurate gene tree reconstructions that require to be corrected before phylogenetic analyses. Here, we propose a new approach for the reconstruction of gene trees and protein trees accounting for alternative protein isoforms. We extend the concept of reconciliation to protein trees, and we define a new reconciliation problem called MinDRGT that consists in finding a gene tree that minimizes a double reconciliation cost with a given protein tree and a given species tree. We define a second problem called MinDRPGT that consists in finding a protein supertree and a gene tree minimizing a double reconciliation cost, given a species tree and a set of protein subtrees. We propose a shift from the traditional view of protein ortholog groups as hard-clusters to soft-clusters and we study the MinDRPGT problem under this assumption. We provide algorithmic exact and heuristic solutions for versions of the problems, and we present the results of applications on protein and gene trees from the Ensembl database. The implementations of the methods are available at https://github.com/UdeS-CoBIUS/Protein2GeneTree and https://github.com/UdeS-CoBIUS/SuperProteinTree .
Meshfree Methods: A Comprehensive Review of Applications
Authors: Garg Sahil , Pant Mohit
Published: October 2017

The meshfree methods in computational mechanics have been actively proposed and increasingly developed in order to overcome some drawbacks in the conventional numerical methods. Over past three decades meshfree methods have found their way into many different application areas ranging from classical astronomical problems to solid mechanics analysis, fluid flow problems, vibration analysis, heat transfer and optimization to the numerical solution of all kind of (partial) differential equation problems. The present work is an effort to provide a comprehensive review of various Meshfree methods, their classification, underlying methodology, application area along with their advantages and limitations. Key contributions of mesh free techniques to the area of fracture mechanics have been discussed with applications of element free Galerkin method (EFGM) to fracture analysis as primary concern.
On multiple zeta values and finite multiple zeta values of maximal height
Authors: Murahara Hideki , Sakata Mika
Published: October 2017

An explicit formula for the height-one multiple zeta values (MZVs) was proved by Kaneko and the second author. We give an alternative proof of this result and its generalization. We also prove its counterpart for the finite multiple zeta values (FMZVs).
Mixed Mn3+/Mn4+ in high-voltage nano-structured lithium nickel manganese oxide cathode with a P4332 structure
Authors: Li Yu , Gu Yi-Jie , Chen Yun-Bo , Liu Hong-Quan , Han Yong-Qin , Wang Hai-Feng , Zhou Heng-Hui
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we have synthesized LiNi[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O4 with P4332 space group by carbonate co-precipitation. TG/DSC, TG*, ICP-OES, a gas displacement pycnometer using He gas, XPS, and XRD refinement results show that oxygen vacancies exist in the LiNi[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] with a P4332 space group. There is a mixture of Mn[Formula: see text] and Mn[Formula: see text] in the P4332 structured LiNi[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]. Despite the large amount of Mn[Formula: see text] in the spinel structure, no 4.0[Formula: see text]V plateau appears in charge–discharge curves. This result indicates that the Mn[Formula: see text] in LiNi[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text] does not participate in electrochemical reactions during the charge–discharge process.
Development and Analysis of Speech Recognition Systems for Assamese Language Using HTK
Authors: Sarma Himangshu , Saharia Navanath , Sharma Utpal
Published: October 2017

Language analysis is very important for the native speaker to connect with the digital world. Assamese is a relatively unexplored language. In this report, we analyze different aspects of speech-to-text processing, starting from building a speech corpus, defining syllable rules, and finally developing a speech search engine of Assamese. We have collected about 20 hours of speech in three (viz., read, extempore, and conversation) modes and transcribed it. We also discuss some issues and challenges faced during development of the corpus. We have developed an automatic syllabification model with 11 rules for the Assamese language and found an accuracy of more than 95% in our result. We found 12 different syllable patterns where 5 are found most frequent. The maximum length of a syllable found is four letters. With the help of Hidden Markov Model Toolkit (HTK) 3.5, we used deep learning based neural network for our speech recognition model, where we obtained 78.05% accuracy for automatic transcription of Assamese speech.
Exercise induces TFEB expression and activity in skeletal muscle in a PGC-1α-dependent manner
Authors: Erlich Avigail T. , Brownlee Diane M. , Beyfuss Kaitlyn , Hood David A.
Published: October 2017

The mitochondrial network in muscle is controlled by the opposing processes of mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy. The coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) regulates biogenesis, while the transcription of mitophagy-related genes is controlled by transcription factor EB (TFEB). PGC-1α activation is induced by exercise; however, the effect of exercise on TFEB is not fully known. We investigated the interplay between PGC-1α and TFEB on mitochondria in response to acute contractile activity in C2C12 myotubes and following exercise in wild-type and PGC-1α knockout mice. TFEB nuclear localization was increased by 1.6-fold following 2 h of acute myotube contractile activity in culture, while TFEB transcription was also simultaneously increased by twofold to threefold. Viral overexpression of TFEB in myotubes increased PGC-1α and cytochrome- c oxidase-IV gene expression. In wild-type mice, TFEB translocation to the nucleus increased 2.4-fold in response to acute exercise, while TFEB transcription, assessed through the electroporation of a TFEB promoter construct, was elevated by fourfold. These exercise effects were dependent on the presence of PGC-1α. Our data indicate that acute exercise provokes TFEB expression and activation in a PGC-1α-dependent manner and suggest that TFEB, along with PGC-1α, is an important regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle as a result of exercise.
Respiratory dysfunction following neonatal sustained hypoxia exposure during a critical window of brain stem extracellular matrix formation
Authors: Stryker C. , Camperchioli D. W. , Mayer C. A. , Alilain W. J. , Martin R. J. , MacFarlane P. M.
Published: October 2017

The extracellular matrix (ECM) modulates brain maturation and plays a major role in regulating neuronal plasticity during critical periods of development. We examined 1) whether there is a critical postnatal period of ECM expression in brain stem cardiorespiratory control regions and 2) whether the attenuated hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) following neonatal sustained (5 days) hypoxia [SH (11% O2, 24 h/day)] exposure is associated with altered ECM formation. The nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS), dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, hypoglossal motor nucleus, cuneate nucleus, and area postrema were immunofluorescently processed for aggrecan and Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA), a key proteoglycan of the ECM and the perineuronal net. From postnatal day ( P) 5 ( P5), aggrecan and WFA expression increased postnatally in all regions. We observed an abrupt increase in aggrecan expression in the nTS, a region that integrates and receives afferent inputs from the carotid body, between P10 and P15 followed by a distinct and transient plateau between P15 and P20. WFA expression in the nTS exhibited an analogous transient plateau, but it occurred earlier (between P10 and P15). SH between P11 and P15 attenuated the HVR (assessed at P16) and increased aggrecan (but not WFA) expression in the nTS, dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus, and area postrema. An intracisternal microinjection of chondroitinase ABC, an enzyme that digests chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, rescued the HVR and the increased aggrecan expression. These data indicate that important stages of ECM formation take place in key brain stem respiratory neural control regions and appear to be associated with a heightened vulnerability to hypoxia.
High-content screening assay-based discovery of paullones as novel podocyte-protective agents
Authors: Lee Ha Won , Arif Ehtesham , Altintas Mehmet M. , Quick Kevin , Maheshwari Shrey , Plezia Alexandra , Mahmood Aqsa , Reiser Jochen , Nihalani Deepak , Gupta Vineet
Published: October 2017

Podocyte dysfunction and loss is an early event and a hallmark of proteinuric kidney diseases. A podocyte’s normal function is maintained via its unique cellular architecture that relies on an intracellular network of filaments, including filamentous actin (F-actin) and microtubules, that provides mechanical support. Damage to this filamentous network leads to changes in cellular morphology and results in podocyte injury, dysfunction, and death. Conversely, stabilization of this network protects podocytes and ameliorates proteinuria. This suggests that stabilization of podocyte architecture via its filamentous network could be a key therapeutic strategy for proteinuric kidney diseases. However, development of podocyte-directed therapeutics, especially those that target the cell’s filamentous network, is still lacking, partly because of unavailability of appropriate cellular assays for use in a drug discovery environment. Here, we describe a new high-content screening-based methodology and its implementation on podocytes to identify paullone derivatives as a novel group of podocyte-protective compounds. We find that three compounds, i.e., kenpaullone, 1-azakenpaullone, and alsterpaullone, dose dependently protect podocytes from puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN)-mediated injury in vitro by reducing PAN-induced changes in both the filamentous actin and microtubules, with alsterpaullone providing maximal protection. Mechanistic studies further show that alsterpaullone suppressed PAN-induced activation of signaling downstream of GSK3β and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. In vivo it reduced ADR-induced glomerular injury in a zebrafish model. Together, these results identify paullone derivatives as novel podocyte-protective agents for future therapeutic development.