bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rome Criteria and a Diagnostic Approach to Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Authors: Lacy Brian , Patel Nihal
Published: October 2017

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) account for at least 40% of all referrals to gastroenterologists. Of the 33 recognized adult FGIDs, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most prevalent, with a worldwide prevalence estimated at 12%. IBS is an important health care concern as it greatly affects patients’ quality of life and imposes a significant economic burden to the health care system. Cardinal symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. The absence of abdominal pain makes the diagnosis of IBS untenable. The diagnosis of IBS can be made by performing a careful review of the patient’s symptoms, taking a thoughtful history (e.g., diet, medication, medical, surgical, and psychological history), evaluating the patient for the presence of warning signs (e.g., “red flags” of anemia, hematochezia, unintentional weight loss, or a family history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease), performing a guided physical examination, and using the Rome IV criteria. The Rome criteria were developed by a panel of international experts in the field of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Although initially developed to guide researchers, these criteria have undergone several revisions with the intent of making them clinically useful and relevant. This monograph provides a brief overview on the development of the Rome criteria, discusses the utility of the Rome IV criteria, and reviews how the criteria can be applied clinically to diagnose IBS. In addition, a diagnostic strategy for the cost-effective diagnosis of IBS will be reviewed.
Thermoelectric Properties of Bi2Te3: CuI and the Effect of Its Doping with Pb Atoms
Authors: Han Mi-Kyung , Jin Yingshi , Lee Da-Hee , Kim Sung-Jin
Published: October 2017

In order to understand the effect of Pb-CuI co-doping on the thermoelectric performance of Bi2Te3, n-type Bi2Te3 co-doped with x at % CuI and 1/2x at % Pb (x = 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, and 0.10) were prepared via high temperature solid state reaction and consolidated using spark plasma sintering. Electron and thermal transport properties, i.e., electrical conductivity, carrier concentration, Hall mobility, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity, of CuI-Pb co-doped Bi2Te3 were measured in the temperature range from 300 K to 523 K, and compared to corresponding x% of CuI-doped Bi2Te3 and undoped Bi2Te3. The addition of a small amount of Pb significantly decreased the carrier concentration, which could be attributed to the holes from Pb atoms, thus the CuI-Pb co-doped samples show a lower electrical conductivity and a higher Seebeck coefficient when compared to CuI-doped samples with similar x values. The incorporation of Pb into CuI-doped Bi2Te3 rarely changed the power factor because of the trade-off relationship between the electrical conductivity and the Seebeck coefficient. The total thermal conductivity(κtot) of co-doped samples (κtot ~ 1.4 W/m∙K at 300 K) is slightly lower than that of 1% CuI-doped Bi2Te3 (κtot ~ 1.5 W/m∙K at 300 K) and undoped Bi2Te3 (κtot ~ 1.6 W/m∙K at 300 K) due to the alloy scattering. The 1% CuI-Pb co-doped Bi2Te3 sample shows the highest ZT value of 0.96 at 370 K. All data on electrical and thermal transport properties suggest that the thermoelectric properties of Bi2Te3 and its operating temperature can be controlled by co-doping.
Control of Porosity and Spatter in Laser Welding of Thick AlMg5 Parts Using High-Speed Imaging and Optical Microscopy
Authors: Popescu Andrei , Delval Christophe , Leparoux Marc
Published: October 2017

We report on a feedback mechanism for rapid identification of optimal laser parameters during welding of AlMg5 coupons using real-time monitoring by high-speed imaging. The purpose was to constrain the liquid movement in the groove in order to obtain pore-free welds in this otherwise difficult-to-weld alloy. High-speed imaging of the welding process via an optical microscope allowed for recording at millimeter level, providing new information on liquid-metal dynamics during laser irradiation as well as plausible explanations for spatter occurrence and pores formation. The pore formation and especially the position of these pores had to be controlled in order to weld 3 mm thick samples. By tuning both laser power and pulse duration, pores were aligned on a single line, at the bottom of the weld. A laser pass of reduced power on that side was then sufficient for removing all pores and providing a suitable weld.
Topography Measurement of Large-Range Microstructures through Advanced Fourier-Transform Method and Phase Stitching in Scanning Broadband Light Interferometry
Authors: Zhou Yi , Tang Yan , Yang Yong , Hu Song
Published: October 2017

Scanning broadband light interferometry (SBLI) has been widely utilized in surface metrology due to its non-contact and high-accuracy method. In SBLI, phase evaluation through Fourier Transform (FT) is a prevalent and efficient technique, where the topography measurement can often be achieved through one interferogram. Nevertheless, the accuracy of the FT method would be significantly influenced by intensity modulation depth: “the lower the modulation of the pixel, the higher the error probability of its phase assignment”. If the structure has a large enough range along the z-axis, several areas in an individual interferogram would be weakly modulated due to the limited depth of focus (DOF). In this paper, we propose an advanced FT-based method when it comes to large-height structures. Spatial modulation depth is first calculated for each interferogram independently. After that, a binary control mask is reasonably constructed to identify the pixels that are valid for phase unwrapping. Then, a phase stitching method along the z-axis is carried out to conduct the large-height topography measurement within a giving field of view. The theoretical principle, simulation, and experimental validation are elaborated to demonstrate that the method can achieve an improved robustness for the reconstruction of large-range microstructures, the advantages of which include the elimination of stepping errors, the suppression of light fluctuations, and the freedom of a limited DOF.
Advances in Fluorescent Single-Chain Nanoparticles
Authors: De-La-Cuesta Julen , González Edurne , Pomposo José
Published: October 2017

Fluorophore molecules can be monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy, which are highly useful and widely used techniques in cell biology, biochemistry, and medicine (e.g., biomarker analysis, immunoassays, cancer diagnosis). Several fluorescent micro- and nanoparticle systems based on block copolymer micelles and cross-linked polymer networks, quantum dots, π-conjugated polymers, and dendrimers have been evaluated as optical imaging systems. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the construction of fluorescent single-chain nanoparticles (SCNPs), which are valuable artificial soft nano-objects with a small tunable size (as small as 3 nm). In particular, the main methods currently available to endow SCNPs with fluorescent properties are discussed in detail, showing illustrative examples.
Acrylated Composite Hydrogel Preparation and Adsorption Kinetics of Methylene Blue
Authors: Wang Jinpeng , Meng Xiaobing , Yuan Zheng , Tian Yaoqi , Bai Yuxiang , Jin Zhengyu
Published: October 2017

By using cyclodextrin (α-CD) self-assembly into a hydrogel with the triblock copolymer Pluronic F127, nanomicrocrystalline cellulose was introduced into a gel system to form a composite CNC-β-CD/α-CD/Pluronic F127 hydrogel (CCH). CCH was modified further by grafting acrylic acid to form a novel acrylated composite hydrogel (ACH). The swelling degree of ACH was 156 g/g. Adsorption isotherms show that the adsorption process for methylene blue proximity fitted the Freundlich model. The adsorption kinetics showed that ACH followed a quasi-second-order kinetic model. Methylene blue desorption showed that ACH was a temperature- and pH-dependent gel. Repeated adsorption and desorption experiments were carried out three times, and the removal rate of methylene blue at 75 mg/L was still 70.1%.
Chemical Constituents from the Flower of Hosta plantaginea with Cyclooxygenases Inhibition and Antioxidant Activities and Their Chemotaxonomic Significance
Authors: Yang Li , Jiang Shu-Tai , Zhou Qin-Guang , Zhong Guo-Yue , He Jun-Wei
Published: October 2017

Two new phenolic glucosides, hostaflavanone A (1) and anti-1-phenylpropane-1,2-diol-2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (2), together with six known compounds, anti-1-phenylpropane-1,2-diol (3), phenethyl-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), phenethanol-β-d-gentiobioside (5), phenethyl-O-rutinoside (6), (1S, 3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (7), and (1R, 3S)-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid (8), were isolated from the flower of Hosta plantaginea, and their structures were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HRESIMS), and circular dichroism (CD) analyses. The cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibition and antioxidant activities of compounds 1 and 4–6 were investigated, and they showed moderate cyclooxygenases inhibition activities. Moreover, only compound 1 exhibited moderate antioxidant activity, with an IC50 value of 83.2 μM, while 4–6 showed insignificant activity with IC50 values of 282, 257, and 275 μM, respectively. This is the first report of compounds 3 and 5–8 from the Liliaceae family. The chemotaxonomic significance of the isolated compounds was also summarized.
Microstructural Origins of Nonlinear Response in Associating Polymers under Oscillatory Shear
Authors: Wilson Mark , Baljon Arlette
Published: October 2017

The response of associating polymers with oscillatory shear is studied through large-scale simulations. A hybrid molecular dynamics (MD), Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm is employed. Polymer chains are modeled as a coarse-grained bead-spring system. Functionalized end groups, at both ends of the polymer chains, can form reversible bonds according to MC rules. Stress-strain curves show nonlinearities indicated by a non-ellipsoidal shape. We consider two types of nonlinearities. Type I occurs at a strain amplitude much larger than one, type II at a frequency at which the elastic storage modulus dominates the viscous loss modulus. In this last case, the network topology resembles that of the system at rest. The reversible bonds are broken and chains stretch when the system moves away from the zero-strain position. For type I, the chains relax and the number of reversible bonds peaks when the system is near an extreme of the motion. During the movement to the other extreme of the cycle, first a stress overshoot occurs, then a yield accompanied by shear-banding. Finally, the network restructures. Interestingly, the system periodically restores bonds between the same associating groups. Even though major restructuring occurs, the system remembers previous network topologies.
Reducing the Amount of Catalyst in TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibers: Effect on Properties and Cost
Authors: Serra Albert , González Israel , Oliver-Ortega Helena , Tarrès Quim , Delgado-Aguilar Marc , Mutjé Pere
Published: October 2017

Cellulose nanofibers (CNF) are interesting biopolymers that find numerous applications in different scientific and technological fields. However, manufacturing costs are still one of the main drawbacks for the industrial production of highly fibrillated, transparent CNF suspensions. In the present study, cellulose nanofibers were produced from bleached eucalyptus pulp via TEMPO-mediated oxidation with varying amounts of NaClO and passed through a high-pressure homogenizer. The CNFs were chemically and physically characterized; cellulose nanopapers were also produced to study tensile properties. Production costs were also calculated. Results indicated that CNF properties are strongly dependent on the carboxyl content. Manufacturing costs showed that chemicals, in particular TEMPO catalyst, represent a large part of the final cost of CNFs. In order to solve this problem, a set of samples were prepared where the amount of TEMPO was gradually reduced. Characterization of samples prepared in this way showed that not only were the costs reduced, but also that the final properties of the CNFs were not significantly affected when the amount of TEMPO was reduced to half.
Prostate Cancer Detection with a Tactile Resonance Sensor—Measurement Considerations and Clinical Setup
Authors: Åstrand Anders , Andersson Britt , Jalkanen Ville , Ljungberg Börje , Bergh Anders , Lindahl Olof
Published: October 2017

Tumors in the human prostate are usually stiffer compared to surrounding non-malignant glandular tissue, and tactile resonance sensors measuring stiffness can be used to detect prostate cancer. To explore this further, we used a tactile resonance sensor system combined with a rotatable sample holder where whole surgically removed prostates could be attached to detect tumors on, and beneath, the surface ex vivo. Model studies on tissue phantoms made of silicone and porcine tissue were performed. Finally, two resected human prostate glands were studied. Embedded stiff silicone inclusions placed 4 mm under the surface could be detected in both the silicone and biological tissue models, with a sensor indentation of 0.6 mm. Areas with different amounts of prostate cancer (PCa) could be distinguished from normal tissue (p < 0.05), when the tumor was located in the anterior part, whereas small tumors located in the dorsal aspect were undetected. The study indicates that PCa may be detected in a whole resected prostate with an uneven surface and through its capsule. This is promising for the development of a clinically useful instrument to detect prostate cancer during surgery.
Precise Aperture-Dependent Motion Compensation with Frequency Domain Fast Back-Projection Algorithm
Authors: Zhang Man , Wang Guanyong , Zhang Lei
Published: October 2017

Precise azimuth-variant motion compensation (MOCO) is an essential and difficult task for high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. In conventional post-filtering approaches, residual azimuth-variant motion errors are generally compensated through a set of spatial post-filters, where the coarse-focused image is segmented into overlapped blocks concerning the azimuth-dependent residual errors. However, image domain post-filtering approaches, such as precise topography- and aperture-dependent motion compensation algorithm (PTA), have difficulty of robustness in declining, when strong motion errors are involved in the coarse-focused image. In this case, in order to capture the complete motion blurring function within each image block, both the block size and the overlapped part need necessary extension leading to degeneration of efficiency and robustness inevitably. Herein, a frequency domain fast back-projection algorithm (FDFBPA) is introduced to deal with strong azimuth-variant motion errors. FDFBPA disposes of the azimuth-variant motion errors based on a precise azimuth spectrum expression in the azimuth wavenumber domain. First, a wavenumber domain sub-aperture processing strategy is introduced to accelerate computation. After that, the azimuth wavenumber spectrum is partitioned into a set of wavenumber blocks, and each block is formed into a sub-aperture coarse resolution image via the back-projection integral. Then, the sub-aperture images are straightforwardly fused together in azimuth wavenumber domain to obtain a full resolution image. Moreover, chirp-Z transform (CZT) is also introduced to implement the sub-aperture back-projection integral, increasing the efficiency of the algorithm. By disusing the image domain post-filtering strategy, robustness of the proposed algorithm is improved. Both simulation and real-measured data experiments demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposal.
ESPRIT-Like Two-Dimensional DOA Estimation for Monostatic MIMO Radar with Electromagnetic Vector Received Sensors under the Condition of Gain and Phase Uncertainties and Mutual Coupling
Authors: Zhang Dong , Zhang Yongshun , Zheng Guimei , Feng Cunqian , Tang Jun
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we focus on the problem of two-dimensional direction of arrival (2D-DOA) estimation for monostatic MIMO Radar with electromagnetic vector received sensors (MIMO-EMVSs) under the condition of gain and phase uncertainties (GPU) and mutual coupling (MC). GPU would spoil the invariance property of the EMVSs in MIMO-EMVSs, thus the effective ESPRIT algorithm unable to be used directly. Then we put forward a C-SPD ESPRIT-like algorithm. It estimates the 2D-DOA and polarization station angle (PSA) based on the instrumental sensors method (ISM). The C-SPD ESPRIT-like algorithm can obtain good angle estimation accuracy without knowing the GPU. Furthermore, it can be applied to arbitrary array configuration and has low complexity for avoiding the angle searching procedure. When MC and GPU exist together between the elements of EMVSs, in order to make our algorithm feasible, we derive a class of separated electromagnetic vector receiver and give the S-SPD ESPRIT-like algorithm. It can solve the problem of GPU and MC efficiently. And the array configuration can be arbitrary. The effectiveness of our proposed algorithms is verified by the simulation result.
Remote Sensing for Wetland Mapping and Historical Change Detection at the Nisqually River Delta
Authors: Ballanti Laurel , Byrd Kristin , Woo Isa , Ellings Christopher
Published: October 2017

Coastal wetlands are important ecosystems for carbon storage and coastal resilience to climate change and sea-level rise. As such, changes in wetland habitat types can also impact ecosystem functions. Our goal was to quantify historical vegetation change within the Nisqually River watershed relevant to carbon storage, wildlife habitat, and wetland sustainability, and identify watershed-scale anthropogenic and hydrodynamic drivers of these changes. To achieve this, we produced time-series classifications of habitat, photosynthetic pathway functional types and species in the Nisqually River Delta for the years 1957, 1980, and 2015. Using an object-oriented approach, we performed a hierarchical classification on historical and current imagery to identify change within the watershed and wetland ecosystems. We found a 188.4 ha (79%) increase in emergent marsh wetland within the Nisqually River Delta between 1957 and 2015 as a result of restoration efforts that occurred in several phases through 2009. Despite these wetland gains, a total of 83.1 ha (35%) of marsh was lost between 1957 and 2015, particularly in areas near the Nisqually River mouth due to erosion and shifting river channels, resulting in a net wetland gain of 105.4 ha (44%). We found the trajectory of wetland recovery coincided with previous studies, demonstrating the role of remote sensing for historical wetland change detection as well as future coastal wetland monitoring.
The Adoption and Implementation of Transdisciplinary Research in the Field of Land-Use Science—A Comparative Case Study
Authors: Zscheischler Jana , Rogga Sebastian , Busse Maria
Published: October 2017

Transdisciplinary research (TDR) is discussed as a promising approach in land-use science and spatial research to address complex multifaceted “real-world problems” and to design strategies and solutions for sustainable development. TDR has become a widespread research approach in sustainability science and is increasingly promoted by research programmes and agencies (e.g., Future Earth and Horizon 2020). Against this backdrop, TDR can be considered a (social) innovation in the academic system, which is currently in the midst of an up-scaling diffusion process from a rather small TDR-advocating expert community to a broader science-practice community. We argue that this up-scaling phase also places TDR in a critical state as the concept potentially risks a type of “rhetorical mainstreaming”. The objectives of this study were to analyse how the challenging approach of TDR is currently adopted and implemented in the field of land-use research and to identify potential influencing factors. We studied 13 transdisciplinary research projects from Germany by performing qualitative interviews with coordinators, document analysis and participatory observation during meetings over a period of five years. Results show that the adoption level of the TDR concept varied widely among the studied projects, as did the adoption of the TDR indicators used in our analysis. In many of the investigated projects, we identified a clear lack of conceptual knowledge of TDR. In addition, we found that current academic structures limit the ability of researchers to thoroughly adapt to the requirements of TDR. We conclude that further communication and educational efforts that promote TDR are required. In addition, we advocate for the development of suitable funding instruments that support sustained research structures.
Influencing Mechanism of Potential Factors on Passengers’ Long-Distance Travel Mode Choices Based on Structural Equation Modeling
Authors: Wang Yun , Yan Xuedong , Zhou Yu , Xue Qingwan
Published: October 2017

Understanding the public transportation users’ preferences to long-distance travel modes would contribute to reasonable developing policies and resource allocation. This paper aims to explore the influencing mechanism of potential factors on the long-distance travel mode choice. A survey was conducted to collect the data. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach was applied to analyze the correlation relationship between potential factors and travel mode choice behavior. The results showed that, except gender, service demand for safety and departure time, all of the other factors significantly influenced the travel mode choice behavior. Specifically, passengers with higher education level and income level were more likely to choose high-speed railway (HSR) and plane; passengers caring about travel expense were more likely to choose ordinary train, whereas plane and HSR may be chosen more by passengers caring more about comfort, punctuality and efficiency; the more passengers were satisfied with travel modes’ service performance, the more they would be likely to choose them; the most competitive distance ranges for coach, ordinary train, HSR and plane were below 500 km, 500–1000 km, 500–1500 km and over 1500 km, respectively. Besides, the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was applied to investigate the influencing mechanism of factors on the long-distance travel mode choice. The results revealed that travel distance was the most significant variable directly influencing passengers’ mode choices, followed by the service demand, performance evaluation, and personal attributes. Furthermore, personal attributes were verified to have an indirect effect on travel mode choice behavior by significantly affecting the service demand and performance evaluation.
Effects of Vernacular Climatic Strategies (VCS) on Energy Consumption in Common Residential Buildings in Southern Iran: The Case Study of Bushehr City
Authors: Mohammadi Amin , Saghafi Mahmoud Reza , Tahbaz Mansoureh , Nasrollahi Farshad
Published: October 2017

This study aims to use the vernacular climatic strategies (VCS) of traditional dwellings in Bushehr, in the common residential buildings of this southern Iranian city (which is characterized by its hot and humid climate), and provide answers to the following question: What effects do VCS have in terms of energy consumption in these buildings? This study has been conducted at three levels. At the first level, three context-based climatic solutions including shading, natural ventilation, and insulation of external walls and roofs were identified and selected based on bibliographic study. At the second level, a case study reflecting the current typology of common residential buildings in Bushehr city was selected. A combination of the mentioned climatic solutions was used in the baseline case to create a developed model. Based on the space layout of the developed model and some design criteria, a series of proposed models was also created and modeled. The selected case study building was also used to establish a local weather station at a height of 12 m based on the roof, collecting local climate data which were then used for simulation to improve simulation accuracy. Finally, all models were simulated with the use of Design Builder software under natural ventilation conditions during moderate climatic periods of the year while split air-conditioning systems were used during hot and humid periods. The results showed reductions of 16% in energy consumption and 22% in CO2 emissions for the developed model, and reductions of 24–26% in energy consumption and 32–34% in CO2 emissions for the proposed models, as compared with the baseline model. Furthermore, all proposed models achieved lower annual energy consumption when compared with a selection of international sustainable low energy standards and domestic energy performance references for the Middle East region. Further studies are also recommended, and there is potential for combining VCS with other solutions such as on-site renewable energies.
Spatial Pattern of Carbon Sequestration and Urban Sustainability: Analysis of Land-Use and Carbon Emission in Guang’an, China
Authors: Li Zhigang , Zhong Jialong , Sun Zishu , Yang Wunian
Published: October 2017

The state of the urban carbon cycle is an important indicator for managing fossil energy consumption and land resources and it is also a basis for the planning of urban eco-services and urban sustainable development. This paper aims to analyze the spatial distribution of the carbon cycle of the mono-centric cities, based on the von Thünen concentric ring theory, using the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs) model and an atmospheric diffusion model to assess the carbon sequestration capacity of land cover/use, to estimate carbon emissions, discuss influencing factors that determine changing trends in carbon sequestration capacity and to predict the changing law of the carbon sequestration eco-service spatial pattern based on scenario simulations. The results of this study show: (1) In Guang’an, the spatial distribution of the carbon cycle follows a concentric ring pattern. From the concentric ring pattern center, the first annular zone represents the carbon emissions, which lie at the concentric ring center; the second annular zone represents the carbon sequestration service; and the third annular zone represents stable carbon stock; (2) The structure of the concentric ring has not changed, but the spatial distribution of carbon sequestration and carbon density has changed due to fossil energy consumption and land cover/use change. From 2014 to 2016, the carbon emission zone shrunk, while the carbon sequestration service zone expanded and the carbon density increased—the increase of forest land is the main factor in the increase of carbon density; (3) The current carbon sequestration eco-service in Guang’an is not the best development condition. The planning of urban eco-service spatial patterns and land cover/use should consider the protection of cultivated and ecological areas at the same time. The results of this study can help the government implement spatial planning and regional policy interventions for land cover/use and eco-service.
Sustainability in Chinese Higher Educational Institutions’ Social Science Research: A Performance Interface toward Efficiency
Authors: Wang Xianmei , Hu Hanhui
Published: October 2017

Sustainability issues in higher educational institutions’ (HEIs) research, especially in the social science field, have attracted increasing levels of attention in higher education administration in recent decades as HEIs are confronted with a growing pressure worldwide to increase the efficiency of their research activities under a limited volume and relatively equitable division of public funding resources. This paper introduces a theoretical analysis framework based on a data envelopment analysis, separating the social science research process into a foundation stage and a construction stage, and then projecting each HEI into certain quadrants to form several clusters according to their overall and stage efficiencies and corresponding Malmquist Productivity Indices. Furthermore, the interfaces are formed in each cluster as feasible potential improvement directions. The empirical results in detail are demonstrated from a data set of Chinese HEIs in Jiangsu Province over the Twelfth Five-Year period as offering a closer approximation to the “China social science research best practice”.
Evaporation and Antievaporation Instabilities
Authors: Addazi Andrea , Marciano Antonino
Published: October 2017

We review (anti)evaporation phenomena within the context of quantum gravity and extended theories of gravity. The (anti)evaporation effect is an instability of the black hole horizon discovered in many different scenarios: quantum dilaton-gravity, f ( R ) -gravity, f ( T ) -gravity, string-inspired black holes, and brane-world cosmology. Evaporating and antievaporating black holes seem to have completely different thermodynamical features compared to standard semiclassical black holes. The purpose of this review is to provide an introduction to conceptual and technical aspects of (anti)evaporation effects, while discussing problems that are still open.
Protoparvovirus Cell Entry
Authors: Ros Carlos , Bayat Nooshin , Wolfisberg Raphael , Almendral José
Published: October 2017

The Protoparvovirus (PtPV) genus of the Parvoviridae family of viruses includes important animal pathogens and reference molecular models for the entire family. Some virus members of the PtPV genus have arisen as promising tools to treat tumoral processes, as they exhibit marked oncotropism and oncolytic activities while being nonpathogenic for humans. The PtPVs invade and replicate within the nucleus making extensive use of the transport, transcription and replication machineries of the host cells. In order to reach the nucleus, PtPVs need to cross over several intracellular barriers and traffic through different cell compartments, which limit their infection efficiency. In this review we summarize molecular interactions, capsid structural transitions and hijacking of cellular processes, by which the PtPVs enter and deliver their single-stranded DNA genome into the host cell nucleus. Understanding mechanisms that govern the complex PtPV entry will be instrumental in developing approaches to boost their anticancer therapeutic potential and improving their safety profile.
ALMA Reveals Sequential High-mass Star Formation in the G9.62+0.19 Complex
Authors: Liu Tie , Lacy John , Li Pak Shing , Wang Ke , Qin Sheng-Li , Zhang Qizhou , Kim Kee-Tae , Garay Guido , Wu Yuefang , Mardones Diego , Zhu Qingfeng , Tatematsu Ken’ichi , Hirota Tomoya , Ren Zhiyuan , Liu Sheng-Yuan , Chen Huei-Ru , Su Yu-Nung , Li Di
Published: October 2017

Stellar feedback from high-mass stars (e.g., H ii regions) can strongly influence the surrounding interstellar medium and regulate star formation. Our new ALMA observations reveal sequential high-mass star formation taking place within one subvirial filamentary clump (the G9.62 clump) in the G9.62+0.19 complex. The 12 dense cores (MM1–MM12) detected by ALMA are at very different evolutionary stages, from the starless core phase to the UC H ii region phase. Three dense cores (MM6, MM7/G, MM8/F) are associated with outflows. The mass–velocity diagrams of the outflows associated with MM7/G and MM8/F can be well-fit by broken power laws. The mass–velocity diagram of the SiO outflow associated with MM8/F breaks much earlier than other outflow tracers (e.g., CO, SO, CS, HCN), suggesting that SiO traces newly shocked gas, while the other molecular lines (e.g., CO, SO, CS, HCN) mainly trace the ambient gas continuously entrained by outflow jets. Five cores (MM1, MM3, MM5, MM9, MM10) are massive starless core candidates whose masses are estimated to be larger than 25 M
☉, assuming a dust temperature of ≤20 K. The shocks from the expanding H ii regions (“B” and “C”) to the west may have a great impact on the G9.62 clump by compressing it into a filament and inducing core collapse successively, leading to sequential star formation. Our findings suggest that stellar feedback from H ii regions may enhance the star formation efficiency and suppress low-mass star formation in adjacent pre-existing massive clumps.
Double-diffusive Erosion of the Core of Jupiter
Authors: Moll R. , Garaud P. , Mankovich C. , Fortney J. J.
Published: October 2017

We present direct numerical simulations of the transport of heat and heavy elements across a double-diffusive interface or a double-diffusive staircase, in conditions that are close to those one might expect to find near the boundary between the heavy-element-rich core and the hydrogen–helium envelope of giant planets such as Jupiter. We find that the nondimensional ratio of the buoyancy flux associated with heavy-element transport to the buoyancy flux associated with heat transport lies roughly between 0.5 and 1, which is much larger than previous estimates derived by analogy with geophysical double-diffusive convection. Using these results in combination with a core erosion model proposed by Guillot et al., we find that the entire core of Jupiter would be eroded within less than 1 Myr, assuming that the core–envelope boundary is composed of a single interface. We also propose an alternative model that is more appropriate in the presence of a well-established double-diffusive staircase, and find that in this limit a large fraction of the core could be preserved. These findings are interesting in the context of Juno’s recent results, but call for further modeling efforts to better understand the process of core erosion from first principles.
Orbital Dynamics of Candidate Transitional Millisecond Pulsar 3FGL J1544.6-1125: An Unusually Face-on System
Authors: Britt C. T. , Strader J. , Chomiuk L. , Tremou E. , Peacock M. , Halpern J. , Salinas R.
Published: October 2017

We present the orbital solution for the donor star of the candidate transitional millisecond pulsar (tMSP) 3FGL J1544.6-1125, currently observed as an accreting low-mass X-ray binary. The orbital period is

days, entirely consistent with the spectral classification of the donor star as a mid-to-late K dwarf. The semi-amplitude of the radial velocity curve is exceptionally low at

km s−1, implying a remarkably face-on inclination in the range 5°–8°, depending on the neutron star and donor masses. After determining the veiling of the secondary, we derive a distance to the binary of 3.8 ± 0.7 kpc, yielding a 0.3–10 keV X-ray luminosity of

, similar to confirmed tMSPs. As face-on binaries rarely occur by chance, we discuss the possibility that Fermi-selected samples of transitional millisecond pulsars in the sub-luminous disk state are affected by beaming. By phasing emission line strength on the spectroscopic ephemeris, we find coherent variations, and argue that these variations are most consistent with emission from an asymmetric shock originating near the inner disk.
The Baryonic Collapse Efficiency of Galaxy Groups in the RESOLVE and ECO Surveys
Authors: Eckert Kathleen D. , Kannappan Sheila J. , Lagos Claudia del P. , Baker Ashley D. , Berlind Andreas A. , Stark David V. , Moffett Amanda J. , Nasipak Zachary , Norris Mark A.
Published: October 2017

We examine the z = 0 group-integrated stellar and cold baryonic (stars + cold atomic gas) mass functions (group SMF and CBMF) and the baryonic collapse efficiency (group cold baryonic to dark matter halo mass ratio) using the RESOLVE and ECO survey galaxy group catalogs and a galform semi-analytic model (SAM) mock catalog. The group SMF and CBMF fall off more steeply at high masses and rise with a shallower low-mass slope than the theoretical halo mass function (HMF). The transition occurs at the group-integrated cold baryonic mass

 1011 

. The SAM, however, has significantly fewer groups at the transition mass ∼1011 

and a steeper low-mass slope than the data, suggesting that feedback is too weak in low-mass halos and conversely too strong near the transition mass. Using literature prescriptions to include hot halo gas and potential unobservable galaxy gas produces a group BMF with a slope similar to the HMF even below the transition mass. Its normalization is lower by a factor of ∼2, in agreement with estimates of warm-hot gas making up the remaining difference. We compute baryonic collapse efficiency with the halo mass calculated two ways, via halo abundance matching (HAM) and via dynamics (extended all the way to three-galaxy groups using stacking). Using HAM, we find that baryonic collapse efficiencies reach a flat maximum for groups across the halo mass range of

, which we label “nascent groups.” Using dynamics, however, we find greater scatter in baryonic collapse efficiencies, likely indicating variation in group hot-to-cold baryon ratios. Similarly, we see higher scatter in baryonic collapse efficiencies in the SAM when using its true groups and their group halo masses as opposed to friends-of-friends groups and HAM masses.
The Dipole Magnetic Field and Spin-down Evolutions of the High Braking Index Pulsar PSR J1640–4631
Authors: Gao Zhi-Fu , Wang Na , Shan Hao , Li Xiang-Dong , Wang Wei
Published: October 2017

In this work, we interpreted the high braking index of PSR J1640−4631 with a combination of the magneto-dipole radiation and dipole magnetic field decay models. By introducing a mean rotation energy conversion coefficient

, the ratio of the total high-energy photon energy to the total rotation energy loss in the whole life of the pulsar, and combining the pulsar’s high-energy and timing observations with a reliable nuclear equation of state, we estimate the pulsar’s initial spin period,

ms, corresponding to the moment of inertia

g cm2. Assuming that PSR J1640−4631 has experienced a long-term exponential decay of the dipole magnetic field, we calculate the true age

, the effective magnetic field decay timescale

, and the initial surface dipole magnetic field at the pole

of the pulsar to be 2900−3100 yr,

yr, and

G, respectively. The measured braking index of

for PSR J1640−4631 is attributed to its long-term dipole magnetic field decay and a low magnetic field decay rate,

G yr−1. Our model can be applied to both the high braking index (

) and low braking index (

) pulsars, tested by the future polarization, timing, and high-energy observations of PSR J1640−4631.
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises during the Argentinian Textile Industry Boom, 1929-1955
Authors: Belini Claudio
Published: October 2017

Les petites et moyennes entreprises ont tenu (et continuent de tenir) un rôle important dans l’industrialisation argentine tant dans la création d’emploi que dans le développement de capacités productives et technologiques. Cet article se propose d’étudier le rôle que les PME eurent dans la croissance de l’industrie texile entre la crise mondiale de 1929 et le renversement de Juan Perón. L’analyse se focalise sur l’industrie du coton et de la rayonne qui furent les branches les plus dynamiques durant cette période décisive. L’article étudie les conditions qui rendirent possible que les PME retrouvèrent et même augmentèrent leur poids dans le développement du secteur. A leur sujet, la contribution analyse les politiques économiques et industrielles, les caractéristiques de la croissance du textile et ses transformations structurelles.
From a Portuguese Small Firm to World Leader in the Cork Business: The Role of the Internationalisation of Corticeira Amorim to Spain
Authors: Branco Amélia , Lopes João Carlos , Rangel José Francisco , Parejo Francisco Manuel
Published: October 2017

Ce papier retrace la longue histoire d’une entreprise familiale portugaise, la Corticeira Amorim , depuis un petit atelier avec une poignée de travailleurs, à la fin du XIXè siècle, jusqu’à devenir une grande multinationale et un leader mondial de l’industrie de la transformation du liège, aujourd’hui. Dans cette trajectoire remarquable, de nombreux obstacles ont été surmontés et beaucoup d’avantages ont été explorés, qui font du succès de cette firme familiale une intéressante étude de cas. Un des facteurs les plus déterminants de ce succès fut la décision d’internationaliser, d’abord les flux commerciaux de ses produits, puis la production elle-même et la fourniture de la principale matière première, le liège. Le propos principal de ce papier est de présenter une analyse minutieuse et détaillée de ce mouvement d’ouverture de la Corticeira Amorim , principalement vers l’Espagne.
Le début de la transition de la fécondité en Asie centrale
Authors: Spoorenberg Thomas
Published: October 2017

Cet article étudie l’impact de l’établissement du socialisme à la fin des années 1920 sur le début de la transition de la fécondité en Asie centrale. Les niveaux et tendances de la fécondité des cinq républiques soviétiques d’Asie centrale sont reconstruits en utilisant autant de sources et de méthodes que possible. Les changements et les progrès rapides qui se sont produits à partir des années 1930 dans cette région ont été suivis par une hausse marquée de la fécondité. De manière intéressante, cette augmentation de la fécondité a été circonscrite aux femmes des groupes ethniques autochtones, tandis que la fécondité des femmes d’origine européenne restait stable. Le cas des républiques soviétiques d’Asie centrale permet de voir comment le développement économique et social peut contribuer à éliminer une série d’obstacles biologiques et comportementaux à la reproduction et ainsi stimuler la fécondité. L’étude montre la nécessité de reconstituer l’évolution démographique de long terme dans les pays en développement afin de réexaminer leur transition démographique et de renforcer notre capacité à comprendre le processus de transition de la fécondité à l’échelle mondiale.
Solution approach for a large scale personnel transport system for a large company in Latin America
Authors: Garzón-Garnica Eduardo-Arturo , Caballero-Morales Santiago-Omar , Martínez-Flores José-Luis
Published: October 2017

Purpose: The present paper focuses on the modelling and solution of a large-scale personnel transportation system in Mexico where many routes and vehicles are currently used to service 525 points. The routing system proposed can be applied to many cities in the Latin-American region.Design/methodology/approach: This system was modelled as a VRP model considering the use of real-world transit times, and the fact that routes start at the farthest point from the destination center. Experiments were performed on different sized sets of service points. As the size of the instances was increased, the performance of the heuristic method was assessed in comparison with the results of an exact algorithm, the results remaining very close between both.  When the size of the instance was full-scale and the exact algorithm took too much time to solve the problem, then the heuristic algorithm provided a feasible solution. Supported by the validation with smaller scale instances, where the difference between both solutions was close to a 6%, the full –scale solution obtained with the heuristic algorithm was considered to be within that same range.Findings: The proposed modelling and solving method provided a solution that would produce significant savings in the daily operation of the routes.Originality/value: The urban distribution of the cities in Latin America is unique to other regions in the world. The general layout of the large cities in this region includes a small town center, usually antique, and a somewhat disordered outer region. The lack of a vehicle-centered urban planning poses distinct challenges for vehicle routing problems in the region. The use of a heuristic VRP combined with the results of an exact VRP, allowed the obtention of an improved routing plan specific to the requirements of the region.
A granular tabu search algorithm for a real case study of a vehicle routing problem with a heterogeneous fleet and time windows
Authors: Bernal Jose , Escobar John Willmer , Linfati Rodrigo
Published: October 2017

Purpose: We consider a real case study of a vehicle routing problem with a heterogeneous fleet and time windows (HFVRPTW) for a franchise company bottling Coca-Cola products in Colombia. This study aims to determine the routes to be performed to fulfill the demand of the customers by using a heterogeneous fleet and considering soft time windows. The objective is to minimize the distance traveled by the performed routes.Design/methodology/approach: We propose a two-phase heuristic algorithm. In the proposed approach, after an initial phase (first phase), a granular tabu search is applied during the improvement phase (second phase). Two additional procedures are considered to help that the algorithm could escape from local optimum, given that during a given number of iterations there has been no improvement.Findings: Computational experiments on real instances show that the proposed algorithm is able to obtain high-quality solutions within a short computing time compared to the results found by the software that the company currently uses to plan the daily routes.Originality/value: We propose a novel metaheuristic algorithm for solving a real routing problem by considering heterogeneous fleet and time windows. The efficiency of the proposed approach has been tested on real instances, and the computational experiments shown its applicability and performance for solving NP-Hard Problems related with routing problems with similar characteristics. The proposed algorithm was able to improve some of the current solutions applied by the company by reducing the route length and the number of vehicles.
Computer Based Psychological Interventions
Authors: Pandey Jyoti Mishra , Garg Shobit , Mishra Preeti , Mishra Bholeshwar Prashad
Published: October 2017

The digital world and technology have remained a very fascinating precinct in human life. This paper contains empirical evidence on the acceptance and efficacy of computer and internet-based interventions for mental disorders has increased. Despite growing evidence of effectiveness of digital interventions, it is still unclear how the practice of interventions should be measured, how this is associated with benefits, and how much interventions should be used in order to get health benefits. Guided computer-based interventions combined with face to face therapeutic sessions give a very prolific result in a long run. More empirical and research-based support is required to compare the benefits and drawbacks between computer-based and face-to-face assessment and therapeutic interventions. This article focuses on the various aspects of computer-based intervention and how these upcoming digital interventions are subject to the efficacy of traditional face-to-face therapeutic approaches.
A Cross-Cultural Year of Service Theoretical Model
Authors: Hudson-Flege Matthew D
Published: October 2017

Growing numbers of young people in diverse nations are participating in cross-cultural year of service programs. This paper provides an overview of global trends in the cross-cultural year of service, and a more detailed literature review of two such programs: AmeriCorps*NCCC and the Peace Corps. Drawing upon the ecological model of human development, the theory of emerging adulthood, and the lens model of service-learning, this paper proposes a cross-cultural year of service theoretical model to inform the work of researchers, policymakers, and community development practitioners concerned with year of service programs.