bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding dynamic change in perceptions of person–environment fit: An exploration of competing theoretical perspectives
Authors: Vleugels Wouter , De Cooman Rein , Verbruggen Marijke , Solinger Omar
Published: June 2018

The longstanding assumption in person–environment (PE) fit research is that perceived fit embodies the subjectively experienced match between personal and environmental attributes and hence triggers affect and behavior (i.e., normal causation perspective). This argument is however increasingly debated, with some scholars suggesting that the causal flow may also run from affect and behavior to perceived fit (i.e., reverse causation perspective), and others even arguing that perceptions of PE fit are not substantially different from how people feel and think about their environment (i.e., synchronous relationship perspective). In this research, we propose that these three competing perspectives correspond with different assumptions on how PE fit perceptions dynamically change over time (i.e., by means of comparative reasoning, logical deduction, or heuristic thinking). We empirically validate these three competing perspectives by teasing out the causal ordering of the within‐person relationships between perceptions of fit and workplace affect and performance. In two separate diary studies, one with weekly (N = 153) and one with daily (N = 77) repeated measures, support was found for the synchronous relationship perspective with heuristic thinking as the plausible underlying process. This research contributes to the PE fit literature by providing new insight into the dynamic nature of perceived fit.
P53 mediates lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammation in human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Liu Jia , Zeng Jiajun , Wang Xiaoxuan , Zheng Ming , Luan Qingxian
Published: July 2018

Background

The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in activation of the inflammatory response has been proven in previous study using human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) stimulation, but its exact mechanism has not been established. ROS can be generated through increased oxidative phosphorylation. P53 originally identified as a tumor suppressor, has been demonstrated to be associated with energy metabolism. We proposed that LPS‐induced inflammatory cytokines release in HGFs is mediated by interaction between P53 and ROS levels.

Methods

HGFs were grown in medium with Pg LPS stimulation. Gene expression was performed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) and Western blot analysis. HGFs were also processed by immunofluorescence to characterize the localization of P53. ROS was measured using a multimodal microplate reader and immunofluorescence microscopy. Cellular respiration levels were performed with a high‐resolution respirometer. Cytokines secretion was confirmed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

LPS‐induced P53 activity and localization in mitochondria led to cellular redox imbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction, thus triggered the cellular inflammatory response with increased secretion of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. Furthermore, the cellular redox imbalance and inflammation induced by LPS were reversed by inhibiting P53 activity. P53 expression followed by LPS‐induced inflammation was also be restricted by suppressing ROS generation.

Conclusions

The present study shows that LPS‐induced inflammation in HGFs is partially dependent on P53 modulating ROS and ROS stimulating P53, which suggests that P53 and ROS may form a feedback loop. The identification of this mechanism may provide potential new therapeutic strategies for periodontitis.
Nutrient use efficiency and harvest index of cassava decline as fertigation solution concentration increases
Authors: Omondi John Okoth , Lazarovitch Naftali , Rachmilevitch Shimon , Boahen Steve , Ntawuruhunga Pheneas , Sokolowski Eldad , Yermiyahu Uri
Published: July 2018

Response of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) to fertigation as a form of nutrient delivery is unknown. The objectives of this study were to establish a balanced nutrition and to enhance agronomic nutrient use efficiency (ANUE) of cassava under fertigation. This study was conducted in the greenhouse and in the field. In both, the results showed a similar trend. There were six fertigation concentrations and three cassava varieties, selected for their duration of growth in the field. Shoot biomass of the long‐duration variety (Nalumino) was the highest, even though its dry root yield was the lowest (10.18 t ha−1) among the varieties. In contrast, the medium‐duration variety (Kampolombo) produced the highest dry root yield (20.34 t ha−1) and a lower shoot biomass. The highest root yield of the shortest‐duration variety (Mweru) was achieved at 200 mg N, 30 mg P, and 200 mg K L−1 (155.0, 23.3, 155.0 kg N, P, K ha−1), while Nalumino's was at 70 mg N, 7 mg P, and 70 mg K L−1 (54.3, 5.4, 54.3 kg N, P, K ha−1). ANUE and harvest index of these varieties declined as the fertigation concentrations increased. Additionally, the correlation between concentrations of N in the youngest fully expanded leaf (YFEL) blades and dry root yields was the lowest (R2 = 0.5488), whereas P and K were R2 = 0.7237 and R2 = 0.8006, respectively, an indication that nutrient concentrations in the leaf, especially N, cannot easily be used to predict root yield. When cassava reaches nutrient sufficiency, mainly N, its accumulation in the leaf continues without significant increase in the root yield.
A Systematic Review of Psychological and Pharmacological Treatments for Adjustment Disorder in Adults
Authors: O'Donnell Meaghan L. , Metcalf Olivia , Watson Loretta , Phelps Andrea , Varker Tracey
Published: June 2018

Adjustment disorder is a common psychiatric disorder, yet knowledge of the efficacious treatments for adjustment disorder is limited. In this systematic review, we aimed to examine psychological and pharmacological interventions that target adjustment disorder in adults to determine which interventions have the best evidence for improving adjustment disorder symptoms. We performed database searches for literature published between January 1980 and September 2016 and identified studies that included both a sample majority of individuals diagnosed with adjustment disorder and findings on adjustment disorder symptom outcomes. There were 29 studies that met the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis; the majority of studies (59%) investigated psychological therapies rather than pharmacological treatments (35%). The range of psychological therapies tested was diverse, with the majority containing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) components (53%), followed by three studies that were psychodynamic‐related, three studies that were behavioral therapy–based, and two studies that involved relaxation techniques. We rated individual studies using a modified National Health and Medical Research Council quality and bias checklist and then used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE; Grade Working Group, 2004) system to rate the overall quality of the evidence. Despite several randomized controlled trials, the quality of the evidence for positive effects of all psychological and pharmacological treatments on symptoms of adjustment disorder was ranked as low to very low. Future high‐quality research in the treatment of adjustment disorder has the potential to make a significant difference to individuals who struggle to recover after stressful events.
Incorporation of Polycaprolactone to Cyclodextrin‐Based Nanocarrier for Potent Gene Delivery
Authors: Fan Xiaoshan , Cheng Hongwei , Wu Yihong , Loh Xian Jun , Wu Yun‐Long , Li Zibiao
Published: July 2018

Stability of polyplex and safety are key factors to achieve stable gene transfection and high transfection efficiency. In this report, a star‐like amphiphilic biocompatible cyclodextrin‐poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐poly(2‐(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate), β‐CD‐g‐(PCL‐b‐PDMAEMA)
x
copolymer, consisting of biocompatible cyclodextrin core, biodegradable and stable poly(ε‐caprolactone) PCL segments, cationic and hydrophilic PDMAEMA blocks, is synthesized to achieve high efficiency of gene transfection with enhanced stability, due to the micelle formation by hydrophobic PCL segments. In comparison with polyethylenimine (PEI‐25k), a golden standard for nonviral vector gene delivery, this copolymer shows higher encapsulated plasmid desoxyribose nucleic acid (pDNA) ability and the persistence of transgene expression. More interestingly, this gene delivery platform by β‐CD‐g‐(PCL‐b‐PDMAEMA)
x
shows lower toxicity but better gene transfection efficiency at low N/P ratios, indicating high potential in gene therapy applications.
Detection of gaps between high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU)‐induced lesions using transient axial shear strain elastograms
Authors: Liu Chenhui , Zhou Yufeng
Published: July 2018

Purpose

High‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is becoming an effective and noninvasive treatment modality for cancer and solid tumors. In order to avoid the cancer relapse and guarantee the success of ablation, there should be no gaps left among all HIFU‐generated lesions. However, there are few imaging approaches available for detecting the HIFU lesion gaps in real time during ablation.

Methods

Transient axial shear strain elastograms (ASSEs) were proposed and evaluated both numerically and experimentally to detect the lesion gaps immediately after the cessation of therapeutic HIFU exposure. Acoustic intensity and subsequent acoustic radiation force were first calculated by solving the nonlinear Khokhlov–Zabolotskaya–Kuznetzov (KZK) equation. Motion of being‐ and already‐treated lesions during and after HIFU exposure was simulated using the transient dynamic analysis module of finite element method (FEM). The corresponding B‐mode sonography of tissue‐mimicking phantom with two HIFU lesions inside was simulated by FIELD II, and then axial strain elastograms (ASEs) under static compression and transient ASSEs were reconstructed. An ultrasound imaging probe was integrated with the HIFU transducer and used to obtain radio frequency (RF) echo signals at high frame rate using plane wave imaging (PWI). The resulting strains were mapped using the correlation‐based method and block search strategy.

Results

Acoustic radiation force from the therapeutic HIFU burst is sufficiently strong to produce significant displacement. As a result, large and highly localized axial shear strain appears in the gap zone between two HIFU‐generated lesions and then disappears after sufficient HIFU ablation (no gap between them). Such capability of detecting the lesion gap is validated at the varied acoustic radiation force density, gap width, and the size of the lesion. In contrast, conventional ASEs using the static compression cannot distinguish whether a gap exists between lesions. Static ASEs and transient ASSEs reconstructed using both high‐speed photography and sonography in the gel phantom show the same conclusion as that in the simulation. Ex vivo tissue experiments further confirmed that the presence of large axial shear strain in the gap zone. The ratios of axial shear strain in the porcine kidney and liver samples had statistical differences for two HIFU‐generated lesions without and with a gap (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Large axial shear strain induced by the acoustic radiation force from therapeutic HIFU burst only appears between two HIFU‐generated lesions with a gap between them. Transient ASSEs reconstructed immediately after the cession of HIFU exposure can easily, reliably, and sensitively detect the gap between produced lesions, which would provide real‐time feedback to enhance the success of HIFU ablation.
Streichen, Zupfen, Slappen
Authors: Englmair Thomas , Mathelitsch Leopold , Verovnik Ivo
Published: July 2018

Kontrabässe sind wie Gamben in Quarten gestimmt, besitzen aber f‐Löcher wie Violinen. Helmholtz‐ und Hauptresonanz sowie die Saitenschwingungen prägen das Frequenzspek trum. Untersuchungen zweier Bässe zeigen: Eine Fichtenholzdecke sorgt für intensivere Obertöne und gibt die Klangcharakteristika verschiedener Saiten hörbarer wieder als eine aus Sperrholz. Bei der Spieltechnik ist das Slappen subjektiv lauter als das Zupfen, das aber eine höhere mittlere Schall intensität aufweist.
Ringströme in einzelnen Atomen
Authors: Eckart Sebastian , Kunitski Maksim , Dörner Reinhard
Published: July 2018

Ein Elektron, das einen Atomkern umkreist, entspricht einem Ringstrom. Unserer Forschungsgruppe an der Universität Frankfurt ist es gelungen, gezielt Elektronen mit einem bestimmten Umlaufsinn aus dem Atom zu lösen, sodass ein Atom ohne Ringstrom zu einem Ion mit definiertem Ringstrom wird [1]. Der Ionisationsprozess findet innerhalb eines Zeitfensters von wenigen Femtosekunden (10–15 Sekunden) statt.
Laser schaltet Magnet an und aus
Authors: Ehrler Jonathan , Bali Rantej , Kronast Florian , Zhigilei Leonid
Published: July 2018

Mit einem Laserstrahl in einer Legierung magnetische Strukturen zu erzeugen und anschließend wieder zu löschen – das gelang einer internationalen Kooperation unter Leitung des Helmholtz‐Zentrums Dresden‐Rossendorf (HZDR) [1]. Durch Laserpulse veränderte sie die Anordnung der Atome, was eine Veränderung der magnetischen Eigenschaften zur Folge hatte. Da Laser in der Industrie weit verbreitet sind, könnten sich für die Materialbearbeitung, für optische Technologien oder die Datenspeicherung neue Perspektiven eröffnen.
Beschleunigung und Winkelgeschwindigkeit verständlicher mit NCSU MyTech
Authors: Thees Michael , Klein Pascal , Kuhn Jochen , Wilhelm Thomas
Published: July 2018

Die App NCSU MyTech kann die Beschleunigungs‐ und Gyroskop‐Sensoren von Smartphones und Tablets auslesen, darstellen und abspeichern. Sie bietet einen didaktisch ansprechenden Aufbau, und die vielfältigen Funktionen ermöglichen einen sinnvollen Einsatz in Schule und Lehre.
Geister der Quantenmechanik
Authors: Loos Andreas
Published: July 2018

Wie nehmen wir die Wirklichkeit wahr? Was ist überhaupt Wirklichkeit? Und wie beschreiben wir sie am besten mit Mitteln der Mathe matik? Die Antworten, die der Gesuchte findet, haben nicht nur mit Physik zu tun, sondern auch mit einer von der Hippiezeit geprägten Sinnsuche.
Novel Electro‐Spun Nanograined ZnO/Au Heterojunction Nanofibers and Their Ultrasensitive NO2 Gas Sensing Properties
Authors: Ponnuvelu Dinesh Veeran , Abdulla Sukhananazerin , Pullithadathil Biji
Published: July 2018

Novel nanograined ZnO/Au heterostructured nanofibers have been successfully prepared using two‐step process via electrospinning method followed by thermal oxidation and their surface bound NO2 sensing properties were analyzed. The ZnO/Au heterojunction nanofibers exhibited typical nanograined structure with 1D morphology consisting of two distinct lattice fringes with d spacing values of 0.14 ± 0.5 nm and 0.28 ± 0.5 nm corresponding to Au [111] and ZnO [101] respectively. Defects and surface bound properties were examined using Room temperature Photoluminescence (RTPL) spectroscopy, X‐ray photo‐electron spectroscopy (XPS) and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The existence of Au, Zn and O in 4 f, 2p and 1 s states and chemisorbed oxygen species on the surface were structurally confirmed after the careful evaluation and proves the purity of synthesis. NO2 gas sensor property analysis of ZnO/Au heterojunction nanofibers showed an extraordinary sensor response (S=98) and selectivity at a lower operating temperature of 350°C than pristine ZnO nanofibers (450 °C). The enhanced sensing behavior of the heterostructured nanofibers are ascribed to the synergetic effect of Au nanoclusters at the interface which act as spill‐over zone favoring physisorption and defect mediated sensing process.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel 1,4‐Di(o‐thioaryl)benzene Buta‐1,3‐diynes
Authors: Kang Master. Yongqiang , Guo Yujing , Shi Heping , Ye Master. Shanshan , Zhang Bianxiang
Published: July 2018

The dimers of terminal alkynes were synthesized through a room temperature reaction which used (diacetoxyiodo)benzene as oxidizing agent and acetonitrile as solvent. The structures were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR. The electrochemical and spectrochemical properties of the compounds were also characterized by cyclic voltammetry and UV spectroscopy. Meanwhile, the single crystal X‐ray analysis of the model compound was discussed.Introduction of the thioaryl group in ortho position lead to the red shift of the UV absorption peaks, and the introduction of a large steric hindrance group reduced the influences of the intermolecular π‐π interactions on their electronic properties. Moreover the sulfur atom can form the stable S−Au bond with gold. These data indicated that compounds 3 b‐3 dare expected to be applied in the field of molecular wires.
Incorporation of Functional Groups Expands the Applications of UiO‐67 for Adsorption, Catalysis and Thiols Detection
Authors: Zhong Guihao , Liu Dingxin , Zhang Jianyong
Published: July 2018

This review explores the structures and properties of UiO‐67 and its derivatives as well as the corresponding synthetic and characterization method. With remarkably high surface area, high thermal and chemical stabilities and excellent mechanical properties, UiO‐67 is very promising and competitive among kinds of metal‐organic frameworks. UiO‐67 not only has good performance on some gases adsorption and storage and removal of organophosphorus pesticides, but also can act as the catalyst in the nerve‐agent hydrolysis. More importantly, by introducing various functional organic linkers into UiO‐67 framework or incorporating different metal complexes and other functional groups, the resulting derivatives of UiO‐67 can improve its water stability, show enhanced gases adsorption properties and expand the application of UiO‐67 such as catalytic hydrolysis of phosphate‐ester, catalytic detoxication of chemical warfare agents, catalytic promotion of Friedel–Crafts reactions, Suzuki–Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction, C−C and C−H bond activation reactions and a series of photocatalytic reactions, catalytic addition of asymmetric aldol, micromotor engines, detection of some biological thiols and so on.
Chirality‐Induced Variation in Interaction of Two Similar Copper(II) Coordination Polymers with Calf Thymus DNA: Exploration of Their Antimicrobial Activity and Cytotoxicity
Authors: Khan Samim , Masum Abdulla Al , Giri Pritam , Islam Md. Maidul , Harms Klaus , Chattopadhyay Shouvik
Published: July 2018

Two polynuclear end‐to‐end dicyanamide (dca) bridged copper(II) Schiff base complexes [Cu(L1)(μ1,5‐dca)]n (1) and [Cu(L2)(μ1,5‐dca)]n (2) {[HL1=(1‐(2‐(diethylamino)ethylimino)ethyl) naphthalene‐2‐ol] and [HL2=(1‐(2‐(dimethylamino)ethylimino)methyl) naphthalene‐2‐ol]} were synthesized and X‐ray characterized. Complex 1 crystallizes in chiral space group C2 and complex 2 crystallizes in achiral space group P21/c. Interactions of both complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT DNA) were studied by UV‐vis and circular dichroism spectroscopy. Molecular docking studies were also carried out for both complexes to find their binding affinity using Alpha PMI as the placement methodology. Although docking studies indicated that the binding constants of both complexes with CT DNA were more or less same, UV‐Vis spectral data indicated that the binding constant of complex 1 with CT DNA is considerably large compared to that of complex 2. As complex 1 is chiral and complex 2 is achiral, it may be concluded that the chirality of complex 1 played very significant role to binding of chiral DNA molecule. The antimicrobial activity were estimated by the determination of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) using the broth microdilution method. The complexes showed high in vitro cytotoxicity against MDA‐MB 468 cells.
Synthesis and Mechanism of Formation of Metal Nanosponges and their Catalytic and Hydrogen Sorption Properties
Authors: Ghosh Sourav , Jagirdar Balaji R.
Published: July 2018

Metal nanosponges of silver, gold, palladium, platinum, and copper have been prepared via simple reduction of their salts using ammonia borane or substituted amine boranes. This synthetic method involves metal salt reduction using amine borane which forms nanoparticles in the absence of capping agent in high dielectric solvent; these colloidal particles attach together to form three dimensional porous metal nanosponges. Hydrogen storage properties of these metal nanosponges were investigated by measuring pressure‐composition isotherms. Furthermore, the catalytic activities of these metal nanosponges were tested for 4‐nitrophenol reduction which showed better catalytic activity as compared to their bulk state. Among all the metal nanosponges, palladium showed highest catalytic activity which was found to be recyclable over several cycles and the porous structure remained intact after catalysis. Herein, improvement in the catalytic activity and hydrogen storage characteristics of porous metals with respect to their bulk analogues further signifies the importance of nanoporous structures.
Carbon Dioxide as Building Block in the Synthesis of the Anti‐Infective Agent Hexamine
Authors: Pereira Cláudia C. L. , Gomes da Silva Marco D. R. , Leal João P. , Monteiro Bernardo
Published: July 2018

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 in a EMIMBF4 saturated solution in the presence of small amounts of the ionic liquid tetramethylguanidinium azide (TMGHN3) yield as major product the nonvolatile hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) also known as hexamine or methenamine. Vestigial concentrations of other reduction products like CO, formic acid and acetic acid were also detected and quantified. Both Cu and Cu/Zn electrodes were tested and presented a similar efficiency towards HMTA production. Electrode modification during CO2 electro‐reduction, including copper nanoparticle (CuNPs) deposition, is the key feature that facilitates HMTA synthesis.
Copper‐Vapor‐Assisted Growth and Defect‐Healing of Graphene on Copper Surfaces
Authors: Lee Hyo Chan , Bong Hyojin , Yoo Min Seok , Jo Mankyu , Cho Kilwon
Published: July 2018

Although there is significant progress in the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of graphene on Cu surfaces, the industrial application of graphene is not realized yet. One of the most critical obstacles that limit the commercialization of graphene is that CVD graphene contains too many vacancies or sp3‐type defects. Therefore, further investigation of the growth mechanism is still required to control the defects of graphene. During the growth of graphene, sublimation of the Cu catalyst to produce Cu vapor occurs inevitably because the process temperature is close to the melting point of Cu. However, to date few studies have investigated the effects of Cu vapor on graphene growth. In this study, how the Cu vapor produced by sublimation affects the chemical vapor deposition of graphene on Cu surfaces is investigated. It is found that the presence of Cu vapor enlarges the graphene grains and enhances the efficiency of the defect‐healing of graphene by CH4. It is elucidated that these effects are due to the removal by Cu vapor of carbon adatoms from the Cu surface and oxygen‐functionalized carbons from graphene. Finally, these insights are used to develop a method for the synthesis of uniform and high‐quality graphene.
Prevalence and risk factors for bluetongue in the State of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: da Silva Thaís G. , Lima Michele S. , Spedicato Massimo , Carmine Irene , Teodori Liana , Leone Alessandra , Martins Maira S. N. , Buchala Fernando G. , Hellwig Klaus S. , de Campos Nogueira Romaldini Adriana H. , De Stefano Eliana , Savini Giovanni , Pituco Edviges M.
Published: July 2018

Bluetongue (BT), caused byBluetongue virus(BTV), is a disease that affects ruminants such as cattle, sheep, goats and deer. BTV is transmitted by female midges of the genusCulicoides. In Brazil, information on the prevalence of BTV in cattle is limited, so the objective of this work was to identify BTV serotypes in cattle. The State of São Paulo was divided into seven cattle‐producing regions, and in each of them, 300 cattle farms were randomly selected. One animal from each farm (out of a total of 1,598 farms) was selected and its sera tested by virus neutralization technique against BTV serotypes (1–24 and 26) for determining antibody titre. Moreover, for each sampled farm, an epidemiological questionnaire was submitted to verify the type of cattle production and the zootechnical and sanitary practices carried out, which could be associated with a higher risk of BTV infection. In this study, antibodies (percentage, [95% confidence interval]) were identified against 11 serotypes: BTV‐1 (22.15%, [15.72–27.92]), BTV‐2 (31.03%, [26.65–37.98]), BTV‐3 (18.96%, [12.42–24.90]), BTV‐4 (24.90% [19.41–29.12]), BTV‐9 (6.82%, [1.45–11.72]), BTV‐12 (7.50%, [2.82–12.51]), BTV‐17 (23.90%, [17.35–29.35]), BTV‐19 (10.20%, [4.62–5.56]), BTV‐21 (30.66%, [25.00–36.00]), BTV‐22 (12.14%, [5.91–18.55]), BTV‐26 (57.00%, [51.41–63.59]). In this study, for the first time in Brazil serological evidence of the presence of serotypes BTV‐2, BTV‐9, BTV‐21 and BTV‐26 is reported. The variable ‘new cattle entering herd’ was considered a risk factor for the occurrence of infection (OR = 2.183, 95% CI = 1.6–2.9).
A light Higgs at the LHC and the B-anomalies
Authors: Liu Da , Liu Jia , Wagner Carlos E. M. , Wang Xiao-Ping
Published: June 2018

Abstract

After the Higgs discovery, the LHC has been looking for new resonances, decaying into pairs of Standard Model (SM) particles. Recently, the CMS experimen observed an excess in the di-photon channel, with a di-photon invariant mass of about 96 GeV. This mass range is similar to the one of an excess observed in the search for the associated production of Higgs bosons with the Z neutral gauge boson at LEP, with the Higgs bosons decaying to bottom quark pairs. On the other hand, the LHCb experiment observed a discrepancy with respect to the SM expectations of the ratio of the decay of B-mesons to K-mesons and a pair of leptons,

$$ {R}_{K^{\left(\ast \right)}}=BR\left(B\to {K}^{\left(\ast \right)}{\mu}^{+}{\mu}^{-}\right)/BR\left(B\to {K}^{\left(\ast \right)}{e}^{+}{e}^{-}\right) $$

R

K

∗

=
B
R

B
→

K

∗

μ
+

μ
−

/
B
R

B
→

K

∗

e
+

e
−

. This observation provides a hint of the violation of lepton-flavor universality in the charged lepton sector and may be explained by the existence of a vector boson originating form a

$$ U{(1)_{L_{\mu}}}_{-{L}_{{}_{\tau }}} $$

U

1

L
μ

−

L

τ

symmetry and heavy quarks that mix with the left-handed down quarks. Since the coupling to heavy quarks could lead to sizable Higgs di-photon rates in the gluon fusion channel, in this article we propose a common origin of these anomalies identifying a Higgs associated with the breakdown of the

$$ U{(1)_{L_{\mu}}}_{-{L}_{{}_{\tau }}} $$

U

1

L
μ

−

L

τ

symmetry and at the same time responsible to the quark mixing, with the one observed at the LHC. We also discuss the constraints on the identification of the same Higgs with the one associated with the bottom quark pair excess observed at LEP.
Toward vortex identification based on local pressure-minimum criterion in compressible and variable density flows
Authors: Yao Jie , Hussain Fazle
Published: July 2018

We propose a dynamical vortex definition (the ‘$\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}}$definition’) for flows dominated by density variation, such as compressible and multi-phase flows. Based on the search of the pressure minimum in a plane,$\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}}$defines a vortex to be a connected region with two negative eigenvalues of the tensor$\unicode[STIX]{x1D64E}^{M}+\unicode[STIX]{x1D64E}^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}$. Here,$\unicode[STIX]{x1D64E}^{M}$is the symmetric part of the tensor product of the momentum gradient tensor$\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}\unicode[STIX]{x1D66A})$and the velocity gradient tensor$\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\unicode[STIX]{x1D66A}$, with$\unicode[STIX]{x1D64E}^{\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}}$denoting the symmetric part of momentum-dilatation gradient tensor$\unicode[STIX]{x1D735}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}\unicode[STIX]{x1D66A})$, and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D717}\equiv \unicode[STIX]{x1D735}\boldsymbol{\cdot }\unicode[STIX]{x1D66A}$, the dilatation rate scalar. The$\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}}$definition is examined and compared with the$\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}$definition using the analytical isentropic Euler vortex and several other flows obtained by direct numerical simulation (DNS) – e.g. liquid jet breakup in a gas, a compressible wake, a compressible turbulent channel and a hypersonic turbulent boundary layer. For low Mach number ($M\lesssim 5$) compressible flows, the$\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}$and$\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}}$structures are nearly identical, so that the$\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{2}$method is still valid for low$M$compressible flows. But, the$\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D70C}}$definition is needed for studying vortex dynamics in highly compressible and strongly varying density flows.
Comparison of the Propulsion Performance of Aerospike and Bell-Shaped Nozzle Using Hydrogen Peroxide Monopropellant Under Sea-Level Condition
Authors: Lai A. , Wei S. S. , Lai C. H. , Chen J. L. , Liao Y. H. , Wu J. S. , Chen Y. S.
Published: July 2018

This study investigates numerically the performance of applying aerospike nozzle in a hydrogen peroxide mono-propellant propulsion system. A set of governing equations, including continuity, momentum, energy and species conservation equations with extended k-ε turbulence equations, are solved using the finite-volume method. The hydrogen peroxide mono-propellant is assumed to be fully decomposed into water vapor and oxygen after flowing through a catalyst bed before entering the nozzle. The aerospike nozzle is expected to have high performance even in deep throttling cases due to its self-compensating characteristics in a wide range of ambient pressure environments. The results show that the thrust coefficient efficiency (Cf,η) of this work exceeds 90% of the theoretical value with a nozzle pressure ratio (PR) in the range of 20 ~ 45. Many complex gas dynamics phenomena in the aerospike nozzle are found and explained in the paper. In addition, performance of the aerospike nozzle is compared with that of the bell-shape nozzle.
Three Dimensional FSI Modelling of Sulcus Vocalis Disorders of Vocal Folds
Authors: Vazifehdoostsaleh A. , Fatouraee N. , Navidbakhsh M. , Izadi F.
Published: July 2018

The effect of sulcus vocalis on vocal folds function is investigated. A type II sulcus vocalis is defined, parameterized and incorporated into a three-dimensional, fully coupled finite element model of vocal folds and laryngeal airway. The proposed Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) model is utilized in computational fluid dynamics, Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE), incompressible continuity and Navier-Stokes equations and in a structure range of a three-layer elastic linear model. Flow parameters, vibration behavior and glottal jet aerodynamics of healthy and patient vocal folds models are compared with each other. Flow visualization is utilized to characterize Coanda effect and three dimensionality of flow patterns. The vibration frequency of vocal folds having sulcus vocalis decreases in comparison with that of healthy ones. Upon increasing the volume flux in the sulcus vocalis model, the non-periodic and disordered behavior of it is visible for patient vocal folds. Underlying mechanisms for the observed changes, possible implications for treatments of sulcus vocalis and human perfect voice production are also discussed.
A Mechanical Beam Resonator Engineered at Nanoscale for Ultralow Thermoelastic Damping
Authors: Vy N. D. , Cuong N. V. , Hoang C. M.
Published: July 2018

A mechanical beam resonator engineered at nanoscale for suppressing thermoelastic damping to obtain ultrahigh quality factor is reported. The resonator employs the torsion mode of a spring beam to excite the rotation oscillation of a nanoscale resonant beam. The ultralow thermoelastic damping in the resonator is obtained by employing torsion oscillation. Optimal study of thermoelastic damping is carried out by varying the dimensional parameters of the resonator. The resonator operating in the MHz regime with the quality factor over one million is obtainable by the proposed oscillation exciting method and appropriate design of dimensional parameters of the beams. In order to obtain such overall intrinsic quality factor, virtual supports are employed to eliminate attachment loss in the resonator.
Comparison of basal lamella relaxing incision and combined conventional medialisation and controlled synechiae in functional endoscopic sinus surgery: a randomised prospective study
Authors: Maharaj D D , Virk R S , Bansal S , Gupta A K
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To compare combined conventional Freer medialisation and controlled synechiae, performed for middle meatal access (during the initial steps of functional endoscopic sinus surgery) and post-operative middle turbinate medialisation, with basal lamella relaxing incision, the latter of which is a single step for achieving both middle meatal access and post-operative medialisation. The study also compared the effects of controlled synechiae and basal lamella relaxing incision on post-operative olfaction.

Method

A randomised prospective study was performed on 52 nasal cavity sides (32 patients). Only basal lamella relaxing incision was performed in one group, and both conventional medialisation and controlled synechiae were performed in the other. Intra-operative and post-operative photography was used to measure the middle meatal area. A pocket smell test was used to assess olfaction.

Results

There were no significant differences in operative middle meatal access and post-operative medialisation of the middle turbinate. Post-operative olfaction was affected more in the combined conventional medialisation and controlled synechiae group, compared to the basal lamella relaxing incision group, but this finding was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Basal lamella relaxing incision is an effective single-step technique for achieving adequate middle meatal access and post-operative medialisation, with no significant effect on olfaction.
Management of locally advanced T3–4 glottic laryngeal carcinomas
Authors: Smee R , Williams J R , Kotevski D P
Published: July 2018

Objectives

To assess five-year local control and ultimate local control rates of patients treated for locally advanced T3–4 glottic carcinoma with surgery only, radiotherapy only, or surgery plus radiotherapy. Cancer-specific survival, overall survival and rates of malignancy development were also assessed.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on patients from 1967 to 2015, with analysis of local control, ultimate local control, overall survival and cancer-specific survival performed using Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression.

Results

Of 169 eligible patients, the majority (59 per cent) were treated with surgery plus radiotherapy, with laryngectomy being the most common surgical procedure. Local control and ultimate local control rates were higher with surgery only (94.1 per cent) and surgery plus radiotherapy (87.9 and 86.8 per cent respectively), compared to radiotherapy only (46.8 and 52.4 per cent) (both p < 0.001). Cancer-specific survival, overall survival and malignancy development did not differ between groups.

Conclusion

Surgery, with or without radiotherapy, offers significantly higher five-year local control and ultimate local control for patients with advanced glottic carcinoma, compared to radiotherapy only.
Sotaliadolphins in their potential sympatry zone: searching for hybrids in the Amazonian estuary
Authors: Dos Santos Teresa E.C. , Da Silva Vera M.F. , Do Carmo Nívia A.S. , Lazoski Cristiano , Cunha Haydée A.
Published: July 2018

The twoSotaliaspecies (the marineS. guianensisand the freshwaterS. fluviatilis) have only recently been recognized, and both face several conservation challenges. We investigated the existence of hybridization between the two species in their possible area of sympatry in the Amazon Estuary, in northern Brazil. A fast and cheap PCR-RFLP diagnostic method using nuclear DNA was developed to discriminate between the two species, while allowing the detection of hybrids. All samples that could be identified (N = 51) were identified asS. guianensis, and no hybrids were detected. Our results, coupled with previous mitochondrial data, suggest thatS. fluviatilisis not present in the Amazon delta. Thus, sympatry withS. guianensis, if it does occur, may be restricted to upstream areas of the Amazon River.
Theist concept-nominalism and the regress problem
Authors: LO TIEN-CHUN
Published: July 2018

Leftow's theist concept-nominalism is proposed as a theory of properties which is compatible with God's aseity and sovereignty. In this article, I focus on the question of whether theist concept-nominalism is successful in answering a notorious problem in the literature on properties, i.e. the regress problem. In the second section, I summarize TCN by illustrating what its ontology is and how its theory works. In the third section, the regress problem is recast within the framework of TCN. In the fourth section, I present my solution to this problem. In the final section, several objections to my solution are addressed and replied.
Ideas in dialogue: Leveraging the power of child-led storytelling in the multicultural preschool classroom
Authors: Flynn Erin Elizabeth
Published: July 2018

An investigation into the interactive features of small group, child-led storytelling in preschool classrooms serving lower socioeconomic status (SES), multilingual children shows both the affordances and constraints of positioning children to author their own experiences in the classroom. In story circles, children told stories that included canonical instantiations of story and culturally shaped features. Through their stories, the children advanced ideas, built connections, and evaluated ways of telling stories as they continued ideas like threads from story to story. Child-led storytelling did not disrupt the dynamics of power through which some ways of using language are privileged while others are marginalized. Instead, story circles simply shifted children’ relationship to the process of being and becoming literate such that children did the evaluating, valuing, and promoting of ways of using language, developing literate identities, but potentially forestalling some ways of participating even as shared interactional norms were developed. (Storytelling, multicultural, early childhood education)*
Older people and Social Quality – what difference does income make?
Authors: Foster Liam , Tomlinson Mark , Walker Alan
Published: July 2018

This article explores the relationship between Social Quality and income in later life and represents the first application of the concept to a United Kingdom data-set with an explicit focus on older people. In order to undertake this analysis, confirmatory factor analysis models are employed in conjunction with the British Household Panel Survey (BHPS). This enables various dimensions or domains of Social Quality to be measured and then subjected to further scrutiny via regression analysis. Initially, the paper explores links between low income, poverty and older people, prior to outlining the concept of Social Quality and its four conditional factors. Following the methodology, the impact of income on Social Quality domains is explored. We identify that differences in income in older age provide a partial explanation of differences in individual Social Quality. While there is a statistically significant relationship between income and certain aspects of Social Quality such as economic security, altruism, social networks and culture/participation, other factors such as health, identity and time did not have a statistically significant relationship with income. This indicates that improvements in the income of older people are likely to positively impact on aspects of their Social Quality. Finally, some policy implications of the finding are outlined with particular reference to the potential role for pensions in enhancing aspects of Social Quality in retirement.
Cultural influences on the developing semantic lexicon
Authors: McGREGOR Karla , MUNRO Natalie , CHEN Su Mei , BAKER Elise , OLESON Jacob
Published: July 2018

To determine whether the developing semantic lexicon varies with culture, we examined the animal and food naming of children from three communities distinguished by language, cultural heritage, and population density. The children were five- and seven-year-olds from Australia (n = 197), Taiwan (n = 456), and the US (n = 172). Naming patterns revealed hierarchical and flexible organization of the semantic lexicon. The content of the lexicon, particularly food names, varied with cultural heritage. In all three communities, wild mammals were predominant during animal naming, a likely influence of children's media. The influence of the Chinese zodiac was evident in the clustering of animal names in the Taiwanese sample. There was no apparent influence of population density and little influence of language, except that the Taiwanese children more frequently named foods at the superordinate level, a possible influence of the structure of Mandarin. Children develop their lexicons in response to culture as experienced first-hand or through media.
Embedding parts in shape grammars using a parallel particle swarm optimization method on graphics processing units
Authors: Keles Hacer Yalim
Published: July 2018

Embedding emergent parts in shape grammars is computationally challenging. The first challenge is the representation of shapes, which needs to enable reinterpretation of parts regardless of the creation history of the shapes. The second challenge is the relevant part searching algorithm that provides an extensive exploration of the design space–time efficiently. In this work, we propose a novel method to solve both problems; we treat shapes as they are and use a parallel particle swarm optimization-based algorithm to compute emergent parts. The execution time of the proposed method is improved substantially by dividing the search space into small parts and carrying out searches in each part concurrently using a graphics processing unit. The experiments show that the proposed implementation detects emergent parts accurately and time efficiently.
Operational burden of implementing Salmonella Enteritidis and Typhimurium cluster detection using whole genome sequencing surveillance data in England: a retrospective assessment
Authors: Mook Piers , Gardiner Daniel , Verlander Neville Q. , McCormick Jacquelyn , Usdin Martine , Crook Paul , Jenkins Claire , Dallman Timothy J.
Published: July 2018

Since April 2014 all presumptive Salmonella isolates received by Public Health England (PHE) have been characterised using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and the genomic data generated used to identify clusters of infection. To inform the implementation and development of a national gastrointestinal infection surveillance system based on WGS we have retrospectively identified genetically related clusters of Salmonella Enteritidis and Salmonella Typhimurium infection over a one year period and determined the distribution of these clusters by PHE operational levels. Using a constrained WGS cluster definition based on single nucleotide polymorphism distance, case frequency and temporal spread we demonstrate that the majority of clusters spread to multiple PHE operational levels. The greatest investigative burden is on national level staff investigating small, geographically dispersed clusters. We also demonstrate that WGS identifies long-running, slowly developing clusters that may previously have remained undetected. This analysis also indicates likely increased workload for local health protection teams and will require an operational strategy to balance limited human resources with the public health importance of investigating small, geographically contained clusters of highly related cases. While there are operational challenges to its implementation, integrated cluster detection based on WGS from local to international level will provide further improvements in the identification of, response to and control of clusters of Salmonella spp. with public health significance.
Singular perturbations in noisy dynamical systems - CORRIGENDUM
Authors: MATKOWSKY B. J.
Published: July 2018

On the seventh line of the fifth page of the article the Backward Kolmogorov equation should read pt = Lp, and not ps = Lp.

The author apologises for the error.
Associations between home and school neighbourhood food environments and adolescents’ fast-food and sugar-sweetened beverage intakes: findings from the Olympic Regeneration in East London (ORiEL) Study
Authors: Shareck Martine , Lewis Daniel , Smith Neil R , Clary Christelle , Cummins Steven
Published: July 2018

Objective

To examine associations between availability of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores in the home and school neighbourhoods, considered separately and together, and adolescents’ fast-food and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intakes.

Design

Cross-sectional observational study.

Setting

East London, UK.

Subjects

Adolescents (n3089; aged 13–15 years) from the Olympic Regeneration in East London (ORiEL) Study self-reported their weekly frequency of fast-food and SSB consumption. We used food business addresses collected from local authority registers to derive absolute (counts) and relative (proportions) exposure measures to fast-food restaurants and convenience stores within 800 m from home, school, and home and school combined. Associations between absolute and relative measures of the food environment and fast-food and SSB intakes were assessed using Poisson regression models with robust standard errors.

Results

Absolute exposure to fast-food restaurants or convenience stores in the home, school, or combined home and school neighbourhoods was not associated with any of the outcomes. High SSB intake was associated with relative exposure to convenience stores in the residential neighbourhood (risk ratio=1·45; 95 % CI 1·08, 1·96) and in the home and school neighbourhoods combined (risk ratio=1·69; 95 % CI 1·11, 2·57).

Conclusions

We found no evidence of an association between absolute exposure to fast-food restaurants and convenience stores around home and school and adolescents’ fast-food and SSB intakes. Relative exposure, which measures the local diversity of the neighbourhood food environment, was positively associated with SSB intake. Relative measures of the food environment may better capture the environmental risks for poor diet than absolute measures.