bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuning shape and internal structure of protein dropletsviabiopolymer filaments
Authors: Scheff Danielle R. , Weirich Kimberly L. , Dasbiswas Kinjal , Patel Avinash , Vaikuntanathan Suriyanarayanan , Gardel Margaret L.
Published: May 2020

Filamentous dopants impart liquid crystalline structure on otherwise isotropic droplets of phase separated protein. These droplets have tunable shape that transitions from tactoid to sphere with increasing size or shortening filament length.
Correction: Density functional theory study of superoxide ions as impurities in alkali halides
Authors: Tygesen Alexander S. , Mathiesen Nicolai R. , Chang Jin Hyun , García-Lastra Juan María
Published: May 2020

Correction for ‘Density functional theory study of superoxide ions as impurities in alkali halides’ by Alexander S. Tygesen et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2020, DOI: 10.1039/d0cp00719f.
Alcohol amination over titania-supported ruthenium nanoparticles
Authors: Niu Feng , Xie Shaohua , Yan Zhen , Kusema Bright T. , Ordomsky Vitaly V. , Khodakov Andrei Y.
Published: May 2020

Smaller ruthenium nanoparticles over titania exhibit higher selectivity to primary amines because of suppressing imine hydrogenation.
Atomically thin heavy-metal-free ZnTe nanoplatelets formed from magic-size nanoclusters
Authors: Wang Fei , Zhang Minyi , Chen Wei , Javaid Shaghraf , Yang Heng , Wang Sheng , Yang Xuyong , Zhang Lai-Chang , Buntine Mark A. , Li Chunsen , Jia Guohua
Published: May 2020

Atomically thin colloidal quasi-two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor nanoplatelets (NPLs) have attracted tremendous attention due to their excellent properties and stimulating applications.
Elemental red phosphorus-based materials for photocatalytic water purification and hydrogen production
Authors: Zhu Yukun , Ren Jun , Zhang Xiaoli , Yang Dongjiang
Published: May 2020

In this review, the recent progress in RP-based materials, including the structure properties, synthesis strategies, and their applications in photocatalytic water purification and splitting is summarized.
Synthesis of nano-capsules via aqueous emulsion RCMP-PISA and encapsulation
Authors: Sarkar Jit , Jackson Alexander W. , van Herk Alexander M. , Goto Atsushi
Published: May 2020

Synthesis of nano-capsules using aqueous RCMP-PISA and encapsulation of rhodamine-B (Rh-B).
Engineering the morphology of hydrogen-bonded comb-shaped supramolecular polymers: from solution self-assembly to confined assembly
Authors: Chen Senbin , Geng Zhen , Zheng Xihuang , Xu Jiangping , Binder Wolfgang H. , Zhu Jintao
Published: May 2020

A library of nanostructures and multi-stage morphology transformation are realized by introducing a 3D confined assembly to hydrogen-bonded comb-shaped supramolecular polymer architectures.
Discovery of 4-(2-(dimethylamino)ethoxy)benzohydrazide derivatives as prospective microtubule affinity regulating kinase 4 inhibitors
Authors: Khan Nashrah Sharif , Khan Parvez , Inam Afreen , Ahmad Kamal , Yousuf Mohd. , Islam Asimul , Ali Sher , Azam Amir , Husain Mohammad , Hassan Md. Imtaiyaz
Published: May 2020

Inhibition studies of MARK4 with selected hydrazone derivatives.
A remarkable mixture of germanium with phosphorus and arsenic atoms making stable pentagonal hetero-prisms [M@Ge5E5]+, E = P, As and M = Fe, Ru, Os
Authors: Pham Hung Tan , Phan Cam-Tu Dang , Nguyen Minh Tho , Tam Nguyen Minh
Published: May 2020

Geometric shape of the lowest-energy structure M@Ge5E5+.
Novel recyclable BiOBr/Fe3O4/RGO composites with remarkable visible-light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Zheng Mingkun , Ma Xinguo , Hu Jisong , Zhang Xinxin , Li Di , Duan Wangyang
Published: May 2020

Magnetic BiOBr/Fe3O4/RGO composites with remarkable photocatalytic capability were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method to load 3D flower-like microspherical BiOBr onto the surface of Fe3O4/RGO.
Hypolipidemic effects of protein hydrolysates from Trachinotus ovatus and identification of peptides implied in bile acid-binding activity using LC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS
Authors: Wan Peng , Chen Deke , Chen Hua , Zhu Xiaolian , Chen Xin , Sun Huili , Pan Jianyu , Cai Bingna
Published: May 2020

For the first time, the hypolipidemic effect of Trachinotus ovatus protein hydrolysates was obtained and its active peptides were identified.
Epitaxial and large area Sb2Te3thin films on silicon by MOCVD
Authors: Rimoldi Martino , Cecchini Raimondo , Wiemer Claudia , Lamperti Alessio , Longo Emanuele , Nasi Lucia , Lazzarini Laura , Mantovan Roberto , Longo Massimo
Published: May 2020

Highly oriented antimony telluride thin films are prepared by room temperature metalorganic chemical vapor deposition on Si(111).
A highly hydrophilic benzenesulfonic-grafted graphene oxide-based hybrid membrane for ethanol dehydration
Authors: Tang Lin , Lu Yingying , Yao Lulu , Cui Peng
Published: May 2020

A new type of hybrid membrane was prepared by blending sodium alginate with benzenesulfonic-grafted graphene oxide, which showed higher hydrophilicity and more defects or edges than GO to create channels for the transfer of water molecules.
Emodin as a novel organic photocatalyst for selective oxidation of sulfides under mild conditions
Authors: Zhang Yan , Lou Jiangli , Li Min , Yuan Zhenbo , Rao Yijian
Published: May 2020

Naturally-occurring Emodin was successfully employed in the selective oxidation of sulfides promoted by visible-light as a novel organic photocatalyst for the first time.
Advancements in the synthesis of fused tetracyclic quinoline derivatives
Authors: Mekheimer Ramadan A. , Al-Sheikh Mariam A. , Medrasi Hanadi Y. , Sadek Kamal U.
Published: May 2020

Fused tetracyclic systems containing a quinoline nucleus represent an important class of heterocyclic bioactive natural products and pharmaceuticals because of their significant and wide-spectrum biological properties.
Light-induced surface patterning of alumina
Authors: Choi Jaeho , Kang Hong Suk , Jo Wonhee , Kim Hee-Tak
Published: May 2020

This work presents a new alumina-patterning platform that uses a photo-reconfigurable azobenzene–alumina composite as an imprinting material.
Surface modification of biomaterials based on cocoa shell with improved nitrate and Cr(vi) removal
Authors: Fotsing P. Nkuigue , Woumfo E. Djoufac , Mezghich S. , Mignot M. , Mofaddel N. , Le Derf F. , Vieillard J.
Published: May 2020

The present work addresses the development of simple, low-cost and eco-friendly cocoa-shell-based materials for efficient removal of heavy metal hexavalent chromium (Cr(vi)), and toxic nitrate (NO3−) from aqueous solution.
Spectroscopic analysis of Eu3+ doped silica–titania–polydimethylsiloxane hybrid ORMOSILs
Authors: Gopinath R. J. Manju , Gopi Subash , Simon Sanu Mathew , Saritha A. C. , Biju P. R. , Joseph Cyriac , Unnikrishnan N. V.
Published: May 2020

Eu3+ doped silica–titania–polydimethylsiloxane ORMOSIL emits broad blue host band and characteristic Eu3+ emission peaks simultaneously when excited at 394 nm.
Recent application of visible-light induced radicals in C–S bond formation
Authors: Srivastava Vishal , Singh Pravin K. , Srivastava Arjita , Singh Praveen P.
Published: May 2020

The sulphur centered radicals, produced from various organic compounds, in high efficiency by single-electron-transfer (SET) oxidation.
Dust removal from a hydrophobic surface by rolling fizzy water droplets
Authors: Yilbas Bekir Sami , Hassan Ghassan , Al-Qahtani Hussain , Bahatab Saeed , Sahin Ahmet Z. , Al-Sharafi Abdullah , Abubakar Abba Abdulhamid
Published: May 2020

Here, environmental dust cleaning from an inclined hydrophobic surface by rolling liquid droplets has been studied and the influence of fluid droplets on the dust removal rate has been examined.
Properties and mechanism for selective adsorption of Au(iii) on an ionic liquid adsorbent by graftingN-methyl imidazole onto chloromethylated polystyrene beads
Authors: Kou Xin , Ma Bowen , Zhang Rui , Cai Miaomiao , Huang Yong , Yang Ying
Published: May 2020

The synthesis and adsorption properties for Au(iii) of CMPS-IL synthesized by graftingN-methyl imidazole onto chloromethylated polystyrene beads (CMPS).
Lipofection with estrone-based luminophores featuring aggregation-induced emission properties
Authors: Riebe Steffen , Zimmermann Alexander , Koch Johannes , Vallet Cecilia , Knauer Shirley K. , Sowa Andrea , Wölper Christoph , Voskuhl Jens
Published: May 2020

A novel class of cationic amphiphiles based on estrone with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties is described which is able to transfect different cell lines. The AIE-effect is used to track the transfection process.
An excited state dynamics driven reaction: wavelength-dependent photoisomerization quantum yields in [Ru(bpy)2(dmso)2]2+
Authors: Livshits Maksim Y. , Wang Lei , Vittardi Sebastian B. , Ruetzel Stefan , King Albert , Brixner Tobias , Rack Jeffrey J.
Published: May 2020

We report the excited-state behavior of a simple bis-sulfoxide complex, cis-S,S-[Ru(bpy)2(dmso)2]2+, as investigated by femtosecond pump–probe spectroscopy.
Core–shell microgels as thermoresponsive carriers for catalytic palladium nanoparticles
Authors: Sabadasch Viktor , Wiehemeier Lars , Kottke Tilman , Hellweg Thomas
Published: May 2020

Responsive non-N-isopropyl acrylamide (non-NIPMA) based core–shell microgels are promising carriers for Pd nanoparticles. The core contains COOH groups to achieve better nanoparticle stabilization. The shell provides control of the catalytic activity.
Water penetration dynamics through a Janus mesh during drop impact
Authors: Bae Changwoo , Oh Seungtae , Han Jeonghoon , Nam Youngsuk , Lee Choongyeop
Published: May 2020

Drop impact on a Janus membrane shows two distinct penetration dynamics: dynamic pressure driven penetration dynamics on a shorter timescale and capillary pressure driven penetration dynamics on a longer timescale.
Cu/M:ZnO (M = Mg, Al, Cu) colloidal nanocatalysts for the solution hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol
Authors: Leung Alice H. M. , García-Trenco Andrés , Phanopoulos Andreas , Regoutz Anna , Schuster Manfred E. , Pike Sebastian D. , Shaffer Milo S. P. , Williams Charlotte K.
Published: May 2020

Doped-ZnO nanoparticles, capped with dioctylphosphinate ligands, are synthesised by the controlled hydrolysis of a mixture of organometallic precursors.
3D printing the next generation of enhanced solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells
Authors: Pesce Arianna , Hornés Aitor , Núñez Marc , Morata Alex , Torrell Marc , Tarancón Albert
Published: May 2020

Improving of SOCs performance by 3D printing are proved, increasing the active area by high-aspect ratio structuration of their components.
Zero-dimensional heterostructures: N-doped graphene dots/SnO2 for ultrasensitive and selective NO2 gas sensing at low temperatures
Authors: Purbia Rahul , Kwon Yeong Min , Kim Hong-Dae , Lee Yun Sik , Shin Heungjoo , Baik Jeong Min
Published: May 2020

Facile synthesis of zero-dimensional heterostructures consisting of N-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GDs) and SnO2 nanoparticles is reported for the NO2 gas sensor with high sensitivity and excellent selectivity.
A circulating tumor cell-based digital assay for the detection of EGFR T790M mutation in advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Wang Jing , Sun Na , Lee Yi-Te , Ni Yiqian , Koochekpour Rose , Zhu Yazhen , Tseng Hsian-Rong , Wang Shuyang , Jiang Liyan , Zhu Hongguang
Published: May 2020

A CTC-based digital assay to detect T790M mutation non-invasively, indicating peripheral arterial blood to be a more abundant CTC source.
Solid-state crystal growth of lead-free ferroelectrics
Authors: Kabakov Peter , Dean Christopher , Kurusingal Valsala , Cheng Zhenxiang , Lee Ho-Yong , Zhang Shujun
Published: May 2020

Review article of the solid-state crystal growth (SSCG) technique and the progress of lead-free ferroelectric single crystals for piezoelectric applications.
Predicting Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scores From Measures of Speech and Language
Authors: Wisler Alan A. , Fletcher Annalise R. , McAuliffe Megan J.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

This study examined the relationship between measurements derived from spontaneous speech and participants' scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

Method

Participants (
N
= 521) aged between 64 and 97 years completed the cognitive assessment and were prompted to describe an early childhood memory. A range of acoustic and linguistic measures was extracted from the resulting speech sample. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator approach was used to model the relationship between acoustic, lexical, and demographic information and participants' scores on the cognitive assessment.

Results

Using the covariance test statistic, four important variables were identified, which, together, explained 16.52% of the variance in participants' cognitive scores.

Conclusions

The degree to which cognition can be accurately predicted through spontaneously produced speech samples is limited. Statistically significant relationships were found between specific measurements of lexical variation, participants' speaking rate, and their scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
Maximising receiver response in molecular communication systems
Authors: Abd El‐atty S.M. , Arafa N.A. , Abd El‐Samie F.E. , Marey M. , Abouelazm A.E.
Published: May 2020

In this Letter, the authors propose a novel approach to maximise the receiver response for molecular communication systems. The previously reported investigations for such systems are limited to a Dirac impulse and a rectangular pulse to transmit molecular information to a receiver nanomachine. Alternatively, they use a signal matched to the channel impulse response to maximise the molecular concentration delivered to a receiver nanomachine. They also derive an analytical expression for the probability of error. The simulation results confirm that the proposed approach is superior compared to the traditional works.
Dynamical model fitting to a synthetic positive feedback circuit in E. coli
Authors: Tica Jure , Zhu Tong , Isalan Mark
Published: May 2020

Applying the principles of engineering to Synthetic Biology relies on the development of robust and modular genetic components, as well as underlying quantitative dynamical models that closely predict their behaviour. This study looks at a simple positive feedback circuit built by placing filamentous phage secretin pIV under a phage shock promoter. A single‐equation ordinary differential equation model is developed to closely replicate the behaviour of the circuit, and its response to inhibition by TetR. A stepwise approach is employed to fit the model's parameters to time‐series data for the circuit. This approach allows the dissection of the role of different parameters and leads to the identification of dependencies and redundancies between parameters. The developed genetic circuit and associated model may be used as a building block for larger circuits with more complex dynamics, which require tight quantitative control or tuning.
Power optimisation in UAV‐assisted wireless powered cooperative mobile edge computing systems
Authors: Lu Weidang , Xu Xiaohan , Ye Qibin , Li Bo , Peng Hong , Hu Su , Gong Yi
Published: May 2020

Wireless power transfer (WPT) and mobile edge computing (MEC) are two prospective technologies to enhance the computing power and endurance of mobile devices. Integrating unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) into wireless powered MEC system, the energy collection efficiency can be effectively improved with the short‐distance line‐of‐sight path power transfer. However, WPT is susceptible to the ‘double near‐far’ effect. Therefore, in this study, the authors study power optimisation in UAV‐assisted wireless powered cooperative MEC system, which utilises the user cooperation to make the mobile device which is closer to the UAV acting as a relay for offloading. They aim to minimise the total transmission energy of the UAV through the joint power optimisation while satisfying the delay and size of the computational task. Simulation results demonstrate the performance of the proposed scheme.
Current harmonic elimination method for asymmetric dual three‐phase permanent magnet synchronous motor
Authors: Zhu Yuan , Gu Weisong , Lu Ke , Wu Zhihong , Guan Jianbin , Chen Li
Published: May 2020

Four‐dimension current control for asymmetric dual three‐phase permanent magnet synchronous motor based on vector space decomposition approach can eliminate the harmonic currents induced by the nonlinear characteristics of inverter. This study proposes a control strategy which uses a combination of the dead‐time compensation scheme and current harmonic elimination algorithm together to eliminate the harmonic currents. The dead‐time compensation is calculated based on the analysis of the non‐linear characteristics of the inverter. Besides, a resonant controller which takes into account the pole correction caused by the discretisation process is employed in harmonic subspace as the feedback current control loop to generate the compensation voltage. In addition the phase lag caused by the pulse width modulation update and inductive load is also considered to ensure the stability of resonant controller. The experimental results demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed scheme.
Research on CNN + LSTM user intention classification based on multi‐granularity features of texts
Authors: Li Chunhu , Zhang Chunying , Fu Qifeng
Published: May 2020

Mobile communication companies have a large number of online customer interaction records. However, it is difficult for those companies to identify customer appeals and call preferences accurately, which makes it hard to apply massive amounts of data to product services. Firstly, all the texts in the original text library are processed at character‐level and word‐level granularities, then the character sequence library and the word sequence library are constructed, respectively. The text vector training tool is used to train the sequence library to obtain the text vector model. Secondly, a multi‐granularity user intention classification model is constructed, which combines convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short‐term memory and includes the text feature of character‐level and word‐level granularity. The results of single model classification at different granularities are fused according to the corresponding weights to achieve efficient user intention classification. Finally, the model is cross‐tested using the k ‐fold method on the data set provided by China Mobile Communications Corporation and reached 87.6% accuracy in the classification task covering 66 categories of user intentions. Experiments show that the multi‐granularity feature fusion model has higher accuracy than single‐granularity feature models.
The EXOD search for faint transients in XMM-Newton observations: Method and discovery of four extragalactic Type I X-ray bursters
Authors: Pastor-Marazuela I. , Webb N. A. , Wojtowicz D. T. , van Leeuwen J.
Published: May 2020

Context. The observations carried out with XMM-Newton have produced a very extensive X-ray source catalogue in which the standard pipeline determines the variability of sufficiently bright sources through χ2 and fractional variability tests. Faint sources, however, are not automatically checked for variability, and this means that faint, short timescale transients are overlooked. From dedicated X-ray searches, as well as optical and radio archive searches, we know that some such dim sources can still be identified with high confidence.

Aims. Our goal is to find new faint, fast transients in XMM-Newton EPIC-pn observations. To that end we created the EPIC-pn XMM-Newton outburst detector (EXOD) algorithm, which we run on the EPIC-pn full-frame data available in the 3XMM-DR8 catalogue.

Methods. In EXOD, we computed the variability of the whole field of view by first binning in time the counts detected in each pixel of the detector. We next computed the difference between the median and maximal number of counts in each time bin and pixel to detect variability. We applied EXOD to 5751 observations in the full frame mode and compared the variability of the detected sources to the standard χ2 and Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) variability tests.

Results. The algorithm is able to detect periodic and aperiodic variability, with both short and long flares. Of the sources detected by EXOD, 60−95% are also shown to be variable by the standard χ2 and KS tests. EXOD computes the variability over the entire field of view faster than the light curve generation takes for all the individual sources. We detect a total of 2961 X-ray variable sources. After removing the spurious detections, we obtain a net number of 2536 variable sources. Of these we investigate the nature of 35 sources with no previously confirmed classification. Amongst the new sources, we find stellar flares and AGNs, in addition to four extragalactic type I X-ray bursters that double the known neutron-star population in M 31.

Conclusions. This algorithm is a powerful tool for the prompt detection of interesting variable sources in XMM-Newton observations. EXOD also detects fast transients that other variability tests would classify as non-variable due to their short duration and low number of counts. This is of increasing importance for the multi-messenger detection of transient sources. Finally, EXOD allows us to identify the nature of compact objects through their variability and to detect rare compact objects. We demonstrate this through the discovery of four extragalactic neutron-star low-mass X-ray binaries, doubling the number of known neutron stars in M 31.
Stakeholder engagement in the management of indoor radon exposures
Authors: Turcanu C. , Schieber C. , Schneider T. , Fallon C. , Geysmans R. , Perko T. , Cantone M-C. , Economides S. , Barazza F. , Charron S. , Gschwind R. , Lafage S. , Zeleznik N. , Pölzl-Viol C.
Published: May 2020

Radon in buildings poses a significant health risk, being one of the most important causes of lung cancer deaths worldwide. Acknowledging that successful radon risk management requires engagement of stakeholders, this paper investigated prescriptions and practices for stakeholder participation. First, it points out the need to integrate radon risk management in a holistic approach to indoor air pollution, together with urban planning and energy saving policies. It then argues for establishing more systematic approaches to the involvement of stakeholders in the design, implementation and evaluation of radon actions. Finally, it suggests the development of context specific approaches for the engagement of stakeholders at local and regional level.
Room temperature water infusion during colonoscopy insertion induces rectosigmoid colon mucus production
Authors: El Rahyel Ahmed , McWhinney Connor D. , Parsa Nasim , Lahr Rachel E. , Vemulapalli Krishna C. , Rex Douglas K.
Published: May 2020

Background Water filling during colonoscopy improves several colonoscopy outcomes. We evaluated an anecdotal observation that room temperature water filling during colonoscope insertion results in mucus production in the left colon, which may impair mucosal visualization during withdrawal.

Methods We performed 55 colonoscopies with either water or saline filling during insertion, and video recorded the examinations. Three blinded observers scored the amount of mucus visible on the video recordings.

Results 29 patients had water filling and 26 patients had saline filling during insertion. Demographic features, procedure indications, volume of infused fluid, and insertion time to the cecum were similar in the two groups. All three blinded observers rated the mucus as greater after water filling than after saline (median 3 out of 5 vs. 1 out of 5; P < 0.001), with a kappa value for interobserver agreement of 0.364 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion Room temperature water filling is associated with mucus production by the rectosigmoid colon, requiring additional cleansing during withdrawal.
The over-the-scope grasper (OTSG)
Authors: Brand Markus , Hofmann Nico , Ho Chi-Nghia , Meining Alexander
Published: May 2020

Background Endoscopic removal of foreign bodies, coagulated blood, or necrotic debris is sometimes challenging and time-consuming, partly because of inadequate endoscopic instruments. Therefore, new devices are needed to overcome the current limitations.

Methods The over-the-scope grasper (OTSG) is a new grasping tool that can be attached to any standard gastroscope. It has been developed for endoscopic removal of larger particles. We present retrospective data on five patients who were treated using the device for various indications, including necrosectomy, bolus impaction, and removal of blood clots.

Results In two patients, the OTSG was used through a lumen-apposing metal stent for direct endoscopic necrosectomy after severe pancreatitis. The other patients had a massive blood clot in the esophagus after endoscopic submucosal dissection, or aphagia due to large meat chunks clogging the esophagus. The OTSG was used with technical success in all of the patients and without any procedure-associated complications.

Conclusion The OTSG appears to be a useful device for endoscopic removal of larger particles, blood clots, or necrotic debris. Preliminary experience shows that the device is effective and easy to use.
Deciphering the vibrational signatures of dopants and defects in random alloys
Authors: Mandel Savannah
Published: May 2020

Computational method eliminates background noise and allows researchers to accurately locate dopants and defect species in nanoscale semiconductor devices.
On the smectic order of polymer monolayers at the air–water interface
Authors: Amini A. , Robert M.
Published: May 2020

The McMillan theory of the smectic-A phase is extended to two dimensions. Its predictions, which strongly differ from those in three dimensions, are found to be in disagreement with the experiment on monolayers of the polymer PLA [poly(l-lactic acid)] at the air–water interface. In contrast to the latter, the theory predicts that the smectic A-phase does not melt into the isotropic phase but first goes through a nematic phase. In addition, the effect of CdSe nanoparticles and Fe2O3 beads on the phase transition from the isotropic liquid-expanded phase to the smectic liquid-condensed phase of PLA monolayers at the air–water interface is investigated experimentally using the Langmuir–Blodgett method. It is found that depending on the size and concentration of the nanoparticles and beads, this transition can be shifted or suppressed altogether.
Corrigendum to: Evidence of site fidelity and deep diving behaviour of scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) around the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, in the equatorial Mid-Atlantic ridge
Authors: Bezerra Natalia P. A. , Macena Bruno C. L. , Travassos Paulo , Afonso Pedro , Hazin Fábio H. V.
Published: May 2020

Seven scalloped hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna lewini) were satellite tagged around the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSPA), located at the equatorial Mid-Atlantic ridge, to investigate their vertical and horizontal movements. All sharks remained in the surroundings of the SPSPA over the course of the 120-day monitoring period, suggesting a high degree of medium-term site fidelity. During this period, scalloped hammerhead sharks covered a wide extension of the water column, ranging from the mixed layer to the mesopelagic zone. All sharks remained in warm (>22°C) shallow layers most of the time, but also dove to depths greater than 150m, mostly at night, eventually reaching 728m (5.6°C) on two occasions. This study contributes important, novel information on the habitat use and movement patterns of scalloped hammerhead shark in Atlantic equatorial oceanic waters. It also highlights the potential of protecting key, large oceanic areas as a useful tool for the conservation of this endangered species.
Refined conceptual model for implementing dementia risk reduction: incorporating perspectives from Australian general practice
Authors: Godbee Kali , Gunn Jane , Lautenschlager Nicola T. , Palmer Victoria J.
Published: May 2020

Dementia is now a global health priority. With no known cure, the best way to reduce the number of people who will be living with dementia is by promoting dementia risk reduction (DRR). However, despite evidence-based guidelines, DRR is not yet routinely promoted in Australian general practice. Previously, we proposed a preliminary conceptual model for implementing DRR in primary care based on our scoping review of practitioners’ views. The present study aimed to refine this model for the Australian context by incorporating the current perspectives of Australian general practitioners (GPs) and general practice nurses (GPNs) about DRR. Interviews with 17 GPs and GPNs were analysed using the framework method, underpinned by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We identified 12 barriers to promoting DRR in Australian general practice, along with five facilitators. Using the CFIR–Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) Matching Tool to select prioritised implementation strategies from the ERIC project, the findings were incorporated into a refined conceptual model. The refined model points to an implementation intervention that uses educational materials and meetings to reach consensus with GPs and GPNs on the importance of promoting DRR and an appropriate approach. Champion GPs and GPNs should be prepared to drive the agreed implementation forward, and general practices should share successes and lessons learned. This model is a crucial step in bridging the gap between DRR guidelines and routine practice.
Microfabrication of low-cost customisable counting chambers for standardised estimation of sperm concentration
Authors: Liu Yue , Chesnut Megan , Guitreau Amy , Beckham Jacob , Melvin Adam , Eades Jason , Tiersch Terrence R. , Monroe William Todd
Published: May 2020

Evaluation of sperm concentration is essential for research and procedures involving AI, cryopreservation and sperm quality assessment. Microfabrication technologies have shown tremendous potential for rapid prototyping and fabrication of devices to assist reproduction and fertility research, but such utility has not yet been made available for most reproduction laboratories. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using microfabrication techniques to produce counting chambers for estimation of sperm concentration. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) spermatozoa were used as a model for evaluation of functionality of the chambers. These microfabricated enumeration grid chambers (MEGC) were composed of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coverslip with grid patterns (100 μm×100 μm) and a PDMS base platform to create a known volume with a 10-μm height to restrict the cells to a single layer. The results of cell counts estimated by two of three prototype MEGC devices tested were not significantly different from the control device, a commercially available Makler chamber. The material cost for a MEGC was less than US$0.10 compared with product costs of approximately US$100 for a standard haemocytometer and US$700 for a Makler counting chamber. This study demonstrates the feasibility of microfabrication in creating low-cost counting chambers to enhance standardisation and strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations.
Effectiveness of the Felixer grooming trap for the control of feral cats: a field trial in arid South Australia
Authors: Moseby K. E. , McGregor H. , Read J. L.
Published: May 2020

Abstract ContextFeral cats pose a significant threat to wildlife in Australia and internationally. Controlling feral cats can be problematic because of their tendency to hunt live prey rather than be attracted to food-based lures. The Felixer grooming trap was developed as a targeted and automated poisoning device that sprays poison onto the fur of a passing cat, relying on compulsive grooming for ingestion. AimsWe conducted a field trial to test the effectiveness of Felixers in the control of feral cats in northern South Australia where feral cats were present within a 2600-ha predator-proof fenced paddock. MethodsTwenty Felixers were set to fire across vehicle tracks and dune crossings for 6 weeks. Cat activity was recorded using track counts and grids of remote camera traps set within the Felixer Paddock and an adjacent 3700-ha Control Paddock where feral cats were not controlled. Radio-collars were placed on six cats and spatial mark–resight models were used to estimate population density before and after Felixer deployment. Key resultsNone of the 1024 non-target objects (bettongs, bilbies, birds, lizards, humans, vehicles) that passed a Felixer during the trial was fired on, confirming high target specificity. Thirty-three Felixer firings were recorded over the 6-week trial, all being triggered by feral cats. The only two radio-collared cats that triggered Felixers during the trial, died. Two other radio-collared cats appeared to avoid Felixer traps possibly as a reaction to previous catching and handling rendering them neophobic. None of the 22 individually distinguishable cats targeted by Felixers was subsequently observed on cameras, suggesting death after firing. Felixer data, activity and density estimates consistently indicated that nearly two-thirds of the cat population was killed by the Felixers during the 6-week trial. ConclusionsResults suggest that Felixers are an effective, target-specific method of controlling feral cats, at least in areas in which immigration is prevented. The firing rate of Felixers did not decline significantly over time, suggesting that a longer trial would have resulted in a higher number of kills. ImplicationsFuture studies should aim to determine the trade-off between Felixer density and the efficacy relative to reinvasion.
The social life of wheat and grapes: domestic land-grabbing as accumulation by dispossession in rural Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Yasmine Moataz
Published: May 2020

In the last three decades, Egypt’s rural population has experienced different types of struggle over land as a result of neoliberal land reforms, which have favoured landowners and marginalised tenants’ interests. While the literature highlighted the negative effects on the tenants, little attention was given to what landlords did with the land after the reforms. Drawing on fieldwork conducted between 2011 and 2013 in five Egyptian villages, the article addresses this lacuna by investigating tenants’ understanding of land-use change. Using a revised conceptualisation of Marx’s metabolic rift, the article shows that evicted tenants understand this shift as part of a domestic land grab that disrupted the ecological system. The article therefore conceptualises land dispossession and domestic land grabs as mutually reinforcing processes and draws particular attention to the sensorial dimensions associated with domestic land grab, in addition to the political and economic dimensions.
Random motion of a circle microswimmer in a random environment
Authors: Chepizhko Oleksandr , Franosch Thomas
Published: May 2020

We simulate the dynamics of a single circle microswimmer exploring a disordered array of fixed obstacles. The interplay of two different types of randomness, quenched disorder and stochastic noise, is investigated to unravel their impact on the transport properties. We compute lines of isodiffusivity as a function of the rotational diffusion coefficient and the obstacle density. We find that increasing noise or disorder tends to amplify diffusion, yet for large randomness the competition leads to a strong suppression of transport. We rationalize both the suppression and amplification of transport by comparing the relevant time scales of the free motion to the mean period between collisions with obstacles.
Withdrawn: Spatio-temporal of Dirac and Klein Gordon particles in a one-dimensional box
Authors: Ullah Kamran , Khan Mustafa , Hussain Jameel
Published: May 2020

It has come to the attention of the Editors of Chinese Physics B that the article entitled 'Spatio-temporal of Dirac and Klein Gordon particles in a one-dimensional box' should not have been accepted for publication because of its substantial replication of a published article. Consequently, this paper has been withdrawn from publication.
Computational modeling of the auditory brainstem response to continuous speech
Authors: Saiz-Alía Marina , Reichenbach Tobias
Published: May 2020

Objective. The auditory brainstem response can be recorded non-invasively from scalp electrodes and serves as an important clinical measure of hearing function. We have recently shown how the brainstem response at the fundamental frequency of continuous, non-repetitive speech can be measured, and have used this measure to demonstrate that the response is modulated by selective attention. However, different parts of the speech signal as well as several parts of the brainstem contribute to this response. Here we employ a computational model of the brainstem to elucidate the influence of these different factors. Approach. We developed a computational model of the auditory brainstem by combining a model of the middle and inner ear with a model of globular bushy cells in the cochlear nuclei and with a phenomenological model of the inferior colliculus. We then employed the model to investigate the neural response to continuous speech at different stages in the brainstem, following the methodology developed recently by ourselves for detecting the brainstem response to running speech from scalp recordings. We compared the simulations with recordings from healthy volunteers. Main results. We found that the auditory-nerve fibers, the cochlear nuclei and the inferior colliculus all contributed to the speech-evoked brainstem response, although the dominant contribution came from the inferior colliculus. The delay of the response corresponded to that observed in experiments. We further found that a broad range of harmonics of the fundamental frequency, up to about 8 kHz, contributed to the brainstem response. The response declined with increasing fundamental frequency, although the signal-to-noise ratio was largely unaffected. Significance. Our results suggest that the scalp-recorded brainstem response at the fundamental frequency of speech originates predominantly in the inferior colliculus. They further show that the response is shaped by a large number of higher harmonics of the fundamental frequency, reflecting highly nonlinear processing in the auditory periphery and illustrating the complexity of the response.
Mathematical models to support the formation of effective options for compromise income tax rates for regional enterprises
Authors: Bondarenko Yu V , Goroshko I V , Azarnova T V , Gus’kova O S
Published: May 2020

The article is devoted to the development of a set of mathematical models and algorithms to support the formation of income tax rates in the regional budget, which provide a compromise for the interests of regional authorities, business leaders and the public. To support the formation of effective options for compromise income tax rates, a two-level algorithm is proposed based on mathematical models and methods. The proposed models differ in the level of aggregation of enterprises in the region’s economic system. At the upper level, options for income tax rates in the regional budget for enterprise groups are determined. Rates are formed on the basis of the principle of harmonizing tax revenues to the regional budget, the number of jobs and profits of the group’s enterprises. At the lower level, optimization models are proposed for targeted adjustment of the income tax rate for socially significant enterprises in the region. The software implementation of the proposed models and algorithms allows a reasonable calculation of income tax rates using statistical information.
Assessment of the behavior uncertainty level of the short time series
Authors: Demidova L A , Stepanov M A
Published: May 2020

The article considers the problem of assessing the level of uncertainty in the behavior of the short time series. The approach to solving this problem, based on the use of the fuzzy linear regression equation with the asymmetric parameters has been proposed. The methods for assessing the level of uncertainty in the behavior of the short time series using the fuzzy similarity measures have been considered. A herewith, the time series which describes the equation of the classical linear regression is used as the standard time series. The presented results of experimental studies confirm the effectiveness of using the proposed approach to assess the level of uncertainty in the behavior of the short time series.
Information security system model in the automated system developed in the simulation software environment CPN Tools
Authors: Bokova O I , Kanavin S V , Meshcheryakov V A , Khokhlov N S
Published: May 2020

This article through simulation provides the functioning mathematical model of information security system (ISS) from unauthorized access (UAA) in automated systems (AS). The model is developed in CPN Tools software environment for its analysis, getting probabilistic-temporal characteristics and its further comparison with the analytical model. The systematic analysis of functional components in ISS from UAA highlighted its key subsystems. Integrated CPN Tools breaks the model into subsystems by preserving ISS functioning logics from UAA, and observes the taking processes. This model performs the computation experiment, namely, researches ISS real consumer properties from UAA in AS, which in following researches provides the analysis software complex development and qualitative assessment of the similar systems functioning. Simulation results of ISS functioning process from UAA in AS can be various characteristics of each state, describing the system work both generally and for its subsystems. The programming Metalanguage, used in CPN Tools adjusts the simulation model and controls the marker random transition from the initial state to final through intermediate, determines transition properties, enters different marker types, sets time delays, etc. The article substantiates the required transitions by ISS simulation model from UAA in AS to get reliable characteristics as the further research direction.
Conditions for homeomorphism of sets modeled by randomized iterated function systems
Authors: Bukhovets Alexey G , Moskalev Pavel V , Semin Evgeny A
Published: May 2020

Numerical modeling of fractal sets using randomized iterated function systems can be implemented in two ways. The first of them is known as the chaos game, and the other is associated with the construction of a transformation matrix, the elements of which are the sums of terms of a converging series, divided by given classes. The last way allows us to relatively easily generate realizations of homeomorphic prefractal sets with similar topological properties.
Convective heat and mass transfer modeling under crystal growth by vertical Bridgman method
Authors: Fedyushkin A I , Burago N G , Puntus A A
Published: May 2020

This paper presents the results of numerical modeling by the finite element method (FEM) of convective heat and mass transfer during the growth of single crystals by the vertical Bridgman method with a submerged heater. Numerical calculations were performed using the implicit matrixless finite element method based on the iterative process of conjugate gradients and significantly reducing the requirements for RAM and computer speed. The effects of gravity, rotation, crystallization rate and vibration on heat and mass transfer in the melt, the geometry of the crystallization front, and the thickness of the boundary layers were studied. It is shown that the above effects can be effectively used to control the distribution of impurities in crystals grown by the vertical Bridgman method.
On the specificity of modeling market dynamics
Authors: Kontsevaya Natalya V
Published: May 2020

The paper presents a systematic approach to the selection of methods and algorithms suitable for modeling the dynamics of market indicators. The directions and stages of modeling and forecasting market dynamics in the study of short time series based on the use of fictitious and lag variables, as well as adaptive methods, are formulated. It is shown how the specificity of the data and the size of the series of observations affect the choice of suitable mathematical methods. A range of models suitable for approximating short time series has been determined. Studying the example of labor market research, the choice of the Holt-Winters multiplicative model as the best is substantiated. The model makes it possible to adequately approximate the damping of the oscillation amplitude synchronously with the initial process. When studying the dynamics of real estate market prices, the possibilities of using lag variables as a leading indicator for the purpose of short-term forecasting are shown.
Computer modelling of statistical, structural and neural network methods of pattern recognition
Authors: Novikova N M
Published: May 2020

Pattern recognition is one of the most important tasks of both intelligent control systems and arti cial intelligence. The paper substantiates the relevance of the study of computer modelling of statistical, structural and neural network methods of pattern recognition. The article presents a comparative analysis of the quality of pattern recognition using the Hamming neural network and the statistical algorithm. The analysis shows that the use of the Hamming neural network is preferable in most cases. Computer modelling of the structural method using the Freeman code gives a description that allows us to unambiguously assign an object to its class. Based on the analysis of the results of computer modelling, the positive and negative aspects of each method are revealed. As a result, the structural method is the most optimal.
A new computing approach to problem of vibrational electromagnetic modes in one-dimentional photonic crystals with defects
Authors: Timoshenko Yury K , Yu Savchenko Sergey , Smirnov Yuri V
Published: May 2020

In this paper we describe new algorithm of calculating total density of electromagnetic states in one-dimensional photonic dielectric crystals. Our algoritm do not use unitary transformations and have low computational complexity. We are implemented it on Fortran in sequential and parallel variants.
Modeling of mesoscopic superconducting suspensions by the method of integral equations
Authors: Bataronov I L , Shunin G E , Kostryukov S A , Peshkov V V , Shunina V A
Published: May 2020

A mathematical model of the current density distribution in an axially symmetric system of superconductors in an external magnetic field is formulated within the framework of the integral form of London equations. The discretization of the model is carried out and the stability and convergence of the computational scheme are investigated. The distribution of magnetic induction, the density of currents in the ring and the sphere and the attractive force between them are calculated. The possibility of stable levitation of the sphere near the center of the ring is shown.
Digital simulator of a random process using Markov model
Authors: Glushkov A N , Kalinin M Y , Litvinenko V P , Litvinenko Y V
Published: May 2020

Sources (generators) of random processes (signals) are widely used in various technology areas as software modules in computer simulations or hardware blocks in experimental works. The equipment can be built on analog or digital bases. Noise physical sources (generators) form random processes of a certain type (Gaussian noise), which properties and characteristics are set very approximately. Digital generators (sensors) of pseudo-random processes have better technical characteristics, but the range of their types is very limited. The random signal simulator should form its values with specified statistical characteristics (probability distribution and its parameters, correlation properties, etc.) and the possibility of changing them. From this point of view, the Markov model of random process (a simple Markov chain) provides good results. It is the base for a structural scheme of the simple digital algorithm to form pseudo-random numbers and the hardware simulator implementation, to research its capabilities and effectiveness.