bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasible sampling plan for Bemisia tabaci control decision‐making in watermelon fields
Authors: Lima Carlos HO , Sarmento Renato A , Pereira Poliana S , Galdino Tarcísio VS , Santos Fábio A , Silva Joedna , Picanço Marcelo C
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

The silverleaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci is one of the most important pests of watermelon fields worldwide. Conventional sampling plans are the starting point for the generation of decision‐making systems of integrated pest management programs. The aim of this study was to determine a conventional sampling plan for B. tabaci in watermelon fields.

RESULTS

The optimal leaf for B. tabaci adult sampling was the 6th most apical leaf. Direct counting was the best pest sampling technique. Crop pest densities fitted the negative binomial distribution and had a common aggregation parameter (Kcommon). The sampling plan consisted of evaluating 103 samples per plot. This sampling plan was conducted for 56 min, costing US$ 2.22 per sampling and with a 10% maximum evaluation error.

CONCLUSIONS

The sampling plan determined in this study can be adopted by farmers because it enables the adequate evaluation of B. tabaci populations in watermelon fields (10% maximum evaluation error) and is a low‐cost (US$ 2.22 per sampling), fast (56 min per sampling) and feasible (because it may be used in a standardized way throughout the crop cycle) technique. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Explaining geographic patterns of small group internal migration
Authors: Sapiro Philip
Published: May 2017

Internal migration plays a key role in shaping the demographic characteristics of areas. In this paper, data from the 2011 England and Wales census are used to assess the geographic patterns of migration for 4 small cultural groups that each constitute about 0.5% of the population—Arabs, Chinese, Jews, and Sikhs—with a White British “benchmark” group. It examines the sensitivity of the scale of intercommunity moves to distance, having controlled for other migrant characteristics, through the development of spatial interaction models. The analysis finds that, where a choice exists, Jews are more averse to making a longer move than other small groups, all of whom favour shorter moves than the White British. The paper also investigates the influence of origin location and socioeconomic characteristics on the choice of migration destination using multinomial logistic regression. It finds that the influence of student status, age, qualifications, and home tenure vary by group though a number of patterns are shared between groups. Finally, it probes the presence in these smaller groups of patterns found historically in the wider population, such as counter‐urbanisation. Overall, this paper broadens the understanding of minority group migration patterns by examining, for the first time, Arabs (identified separately only in the 2011 census) and 2 groups based on religion (Jews and Sikhs) and by revisiting, with new questions, the White British and Chinese groups using the latest census data.
Urban growth, population, and recession: Unveiling multiple spatial patterns of demographic indicators in a Mediterranean City
Authors: Salvati Luca , Carlucci Margherita
Published: May 2017

Recessions have traditionally influenced population dynamics, leading to increasing social disparities and a polarised distribution of economic activities. This study identifies differences in short‐term demographic trends before and during the 2007 recession in a metropolitan area of southern Europe. Using vital statistics, indicators were calculated over two distinct time intervals representative of expansion (2000–2007) and recession (2008–2014) waves in Athens, Greece, at the spatial scale of municipalities. Local‐scale changes in population dynamics were considered key indicators to evaluate the crisis' impact on recent urban transformations. Demographic polarisations in urban and rural areas have progressively increased the gap between wealthy and economically disadvantaged districts. In Athens, short‐term population dynamics were influenced by a combination of socioeconomic factors and processes acting at different spatial scales due to suburbanisation, recession, and demographic transition. As a result, the use of nonlinear analysis proves to be a useful tool to investigate urban systems in their complexity and supports the debate over the future development of contemporary cities.
Electronic structure of graphene: (Nearly) free electron bands versus tight‐binding bands
Authors: Kogan E. , Silkin V. M.
Published: May 2017

In our previous paper [Phys. Rev. B 89, 165430 (2014)] we have found that in graphene, in distinction to the four occupied bands, which can be described by the simple tight‐binding model (TBM) with four atomic orbitals per atom, the two lowest lying at the ‐point unoccupied bands (one of them of a type and the other of a type) can not be described by such model. In the present work, we suggest a minimalistic model for these two bands, based on (nearly) free electron model (FEM), which correctly describes the symmetry of these bands, their dispersion law and their localization with respect to the graphene plane.
An adaptive calibration and beamforming technique for a GEO satellite data relay
Authors: Winterstein Andreas , Greda Lukasz A.
Published: May 2017

High throughput data links from low Earth orbit satellites through a geostationary orbit satellite data relay have been proposed to increase the available contact times to ground stations. Accurate antenna beam pointing and tracking of moving targets are key requirements for the relay satellite. In this work, we propose an adaptive calibration and beamforming methodology on the basis of least mean squares, which is suitable for a geostationary orbit data relay. The target system consists of the combination of a high gain reflector fed by a digitally steerable patch antenna array. The proposed method is first presented by numerical cosimulation of the antenna and the calibration algorithm. The results are then validated in an outdoor experimental setup with all digital signal processing implemented in a field‐programmable gate array. We demonstrate the tracking ability and pointing performance of the digitally enhanced reflector antenna with gain fluctuations smaller than 3 dB over a field of view of at least 2,5°. The demonstrated performance shows that the digitally enhanced reflector antenna is a suitable candidate for long‐distance space communications.
The pH dependent interaction between nicotine and simulated pulmonary surfactant monolayers with associated molecular modelling
Authors: Davies Michael J. , Leach Andrew G. , Fullwood Danielle , Mistry Dinesh , Hope Alexandra
Published: May 2017

Pulmonary surfactant is an endogenous material that lines and stabilises the alveolar air–liquid interface. Respiratory mechanics can be compromised by exposure to environmental toxins such as cigarette smoke, which contains nicotine. This study aims to determine the influence of nicotine on the activity of simulated lung surfactant at pH 7 and pH 9. In all cases, the addition of nicotine to the test zone caused deviation in surfactant film performance. Importantly, the maximum surface pressure was reduced for each system. Computational modelling was applied to assess key interactions between each species, with the Gaussian 09 software platform used to calculate electrostatic potential surfaces. Modelling data confirmed either nicotine penetration into the two‐dimensional structure or interfacial/electrostatic interactions across the underside. The results obtained from this study suggest that nicotine can impair the ability of pulmonary surfactant to reduce the surface tension term, which can increase the work of breathing. When extrapolated to gross lung function, alveolar collapse and respiratory disease (e.g. chronic airway obstruction) may result. The delivery of nicotine to the (deep) lung can cause a deterioration in lung function and lead to reduced quality of life. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study of Electrical Charge Storage in Polymer‐Carbon Quantum Dot Composite
Authors: Ambasankar K. N. , Bhattacharjee Lopamudra , Jat Sanjeev K. , Bhattacharjee Rama R. , Mohanta Kallol
Published: May 2017

Novel carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with unexplored potential, are interesting nanomaterials for electronic investigations. Formation of surface defect sites in these Q‐dots is a consequence of combinations of various carbon hybridizations. In this work nanocomposites of CQDs with an electronically inert polymer, poly vinyl alcohol (PVA), have been electrically characterized. The electronic properties were observed to be tunable by compositions of component materials. A detail conduction mechanism of charge storage within composites’ layer has been worked out. The dielectric properties of composites are observed to be dependent on morphologies developed from segregation of CQDs within composites. The composites possess improved dielectric properties compared to individual component materials. Simulation of the dielectric properties reveals that the nanocomposites actually derive qualities of its’ component materials.
A Molecular Electron Density Theory Study of [3+2] Cycloaddition Reaction between Azomethine Ylides and Electron‐Deficient Nitroalkenes
Authors: Emamian Saeedreza
Published: May 2017

The [3+2] cycloaddition (32CA) reaction of an azomethine ylide namely (S,E)‐3‐benzylidene‐2‐(tert‐butyl)‐1‐methyl‐5‐oxoimidazolidin‐3‐ium‐4‐ide, AZY6, toward a highly electron‐deficient ethylene derivative namely (E)‐(2‐nitrovinyl)benzene, NVB7, was theoretically studied at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) computational level. This 32CA reaction takes place with a total regio‐ and stereoselectivity, and with a very low activation enthalpy, 4.2 kcal/mol, as a consequence of high pseudodiradical character of AZY6. Analysis of the conceptual density functional theory (DFT) reactivity indices allows explaining the high reactivity of AZY6 and NVB7, as well as the total regioselectivity experimentally observed. Both analyses of the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) maps as well as non‐covalent interactions (NCIs) allow explaining the endo stereoselectivity. An electron localization function (ELF) topological analysis of selected points along the most favorable reactive channels allows establishing the non‐concerted two‐stage one‐step molecular mechanism.
One–step Synthesis of MnO/Ni Nanoparticles Anchored on Porous Nitrogen–doped Carbons from Melamine Foam and Electrocatalytic Study towards Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Li Haibo , Ren Cancan , Zhang Rui , Li Rui , Xu Shuling , Wang Lei , Qu Konggang , Kang Wenjun , Wang Huaisheng , Yang Shiliu , Yu Yang
Published: May 2017

The exploration of non‐noble metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is of great significance in energy conversion devices, such as fuel cells and metal‐air batteries. In this work, a hybrid catalyst composed of MnO/Ni nanoparticles anchored on porous branched nitrogen‐doped carbons (MnO/Ni@BNCs) were prepared by direct pyrolyzing melamine foams containing Mn(II) and Ni (II) ions at 800 °C under N2 atmosphere. On the basis of electrochemical tests, it was found that the MnO/Ni@BNCs hybrid catalyst showed a high efficient four‐electron catalytic pathway towards ORR and gave a low yield of H2O2 (< 7.53 %). It also exhibited a good catalytic stability and methanol tolerance, exceeding the commercial Pt/C catalyst. The excellent catalytic performance was attributed to the synergetic effect between high catalytic activity of MnO and high electrical conductivity of Ni. Furthermore, the high surface area and porous structure characters of carbon support, which partially inherited the microstructure of melamine foam, also benefited the electron transfer and reactive species transformation during ORR process.
Chemical and Biological Pretreatments on Sugarcane Bagasse to Enhance its Enzymatic Hydrolysis.
Authors: Hernández Christian A. , Ziarelli Fabio , Gaime Isabelle , Farnet Da Silva Anne Marie , García Gabriela , García‐Pérez José A. , Gutiérrez‐Rivera Beatriz , Alarcón Enrique
Published: May 2017

Alkaline and biological lignocellulose pre‐treatments are commonly used to enhance enzymatic hydrolysis and improve ethanol production. In this study, 13C CPMAS NMR spectroscopy was used to describe changes in sugarcane bagasse (SCB) pre‐treated with NaOH, Ca(OH)2 and with Pycnoporus sanguineus. Changes in the contents of alkyl C, Carboxyl C, Aromatic C (tertiary, quaternary and p‐hydroxyphenyl C), O‐alkyl C, amino acids, ergosterol and chitin, as well as in the crystallinity index of cellulose were observed. Through a multivariate analysis, relations between changes in the chemical composition of SCB and enzymatic hydrolysis were established. P. sanguineus promotes better lignin decay, glucose release and hydrolysis yields than chemical pre‐treatments, and increases the amount of amino acids and ergosterol in SCB, while NaOH increases the cellulose crystallinity index. The hydrolysates were fermented with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 96 h, and analysed through HPLC. The initial composition of the hydrolysates [mg.ml−1] and biomass production (cells.ml−1) were then related to the ethanol production and fermentation yields. We found that ethanol production and fermentation yields were negatively correlated with cell growth in Saccharomyces, but positively correlated with glucose consumption in the P. sanguineus pre‐treatment. We conclude that the biological pre‐treatment using P. sanguineus in the conditions hereby described, has a potential to increase ethanol productivity.
Rapid, Trace‐Level Ammonia Gas Sensor Based on Surface‐Engineered Ag Nanoclusters@Polyaniline/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Insights into Their Mechanistic Pathways
Authors: Abdulla Sukhananazerin , Ponnuvelu Dinesh V. , Pullithadathil Biji
Published: May 2017

An ultrasensitive and selective chemiresistive sensor interface based on Ag nanocluster integrated polyaniline functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (AgNC@PANI/MWCNTs) has been developed for trace‐level detection of NH3 gas at room temperature. AgNC@PANI/MWCNTs was synthesized using surfactant‐free, one‐pot wet‐chemical process, by controlled integration of active Ag sites onto MWCNTs. The structure and morphology of AgNC@PANI/MWCNTs nanocomposite have been extensively studied by various characterization techniques. The gas sensing properties of AgNC@PANI/MWCNTs nanocomposite towards trace‐level concentrations NH3 (2‐10 ppm), an important biomarker in exhaled human breath, was systematically evaluated. The sensor exhibited dramatic enhancement in the sensor response (26 %), fast response (∼5 s) and recovery (∼4 s) characteristics with good reproducibility and selectivity upon exposure to NH3 gas. The excellent performance of the sensor towards NH3 could be attributed to the rapid electronic sensitization of surface engineered active AgNC sites in the composite in which oxidized AgNC were found to play a critical role. Effect of humidity and the kinetics of the NH3 gas adsorption on nanocomposite were analyzed. The possible interactions between NH3 and AgNC@PANI/MWCNTs nanocomposite were discussed. This investigation can pave the way to novel strategies for designing and fabricating low‐cost, high performance NH3 gas sensors for clinical breath analyzer application.
Lettuce–like, Hierarchically Porous and Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Catalyst: As a Superb non‐Precious‐Metal Oxygen Reduction Reaction Electrocatalyst in both Alkaline and Acidic Media
Authors: Yang Yan , Zhao Ling , Hu Xiaoli , Guan Yue , Xue Juanhong , Zhu Zhen , Cui Lili
Published: May 2017

A new kind of N‐doped, hierarchically porous carbon catalyst (NHPC) derived from N‐rich space network polymers coupled with plenteous metal‐coordination sites was designed and controllably synthesized by exploiting nano‐SiO2 as a hard‐template and pyrolyzing strategy. The characterization result demonstrates that NHPC pyrolyzed at 900 oC exhibits a hierarchically lettuce‐like architecture with high surface area (2112 m2 g−1). Remarkably, the porosity structure and specific surface area (SSA) can be accessibly tailored by adjusting the density of porosity. Furthermore, the electrocatalytic activity are strongly dependent on these properties. Benefiting from the balance of high SSA, channel structures, chemical compositions and conductivity, NHPC obtained at 900 oC shows high active for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), along with excellent durability, equivalently performing the advanced Pt/C catalyst in both alkaline and acidic circumstance. The onset and half‐wave potentials of NHPC‐1:0.25‐900 display 0.97 and 0.86 V vs RHE for onset potential and half‐wave potential in alkaline medium, together with 0.85 and 0.69 V vs RHE in acidic medium.
A Simple Approach to Achieve Self‐Buffering Protic Ionic Liquid‐Water Mixtures
Authors: Han Qi , Wang Xungai , Byrne Nolene
Published: May 2017

Ionic liquid (IL)‐water mixtures have drawn increasing attention in a range of applications ranging from chemical synthesis and separation to bioscience and energy applications. The acid‐basic nature of ILs is often an important property to be considered when selecting and designing ILs. Herein, we evaluated this IL property by correlating the stoichiometry of a protic IL and pH of IL‐water mixtures. We then developed a simple method to achieve self‐buffering protic IL‐water mixtures by titrating buffering agents. The rule of buffering protic IL‐water mixtures was proposed to be linearly related to pIL ion concentration and correlated with ionicity. Through this approach, self‐buffering capability can be achieved in protic IL‐water mixtures without significantly changing the ion concentration.
A Simple and Sensitive 19F NMR Approach for Studying the Interaction of RNA G‐Quadruplex with Ligand Molecule and Protein
Authors: Bao Hong‐Liang , Ishizuka Takumi , Iwanami Ayaka , Oyoshi Takanori , Xu Yan
Published: May 2017

A recent finding demonstrated that telomere DNA is transcribed into telomeric repeat‐containing RNA (referred to as TERRA) in mammalian cells. The existence of TERRA RNA may reveal a new level of regulation and protection of chromosome ends that could promote valuable insight into fundamental biological processes such as cancer and aging. Revealing the structure and function of telomere RNA will be essential for understanding telomere biology and telomere‐related diseases. In fact, others and we have shown that human telomere RNA forms G‐quadruplex structures by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. In the present study, we employed the 19F NMR spectroscopy to investigate the interaction of RNA G‐quadruplex with ligand molecule and protein. We showed that 19F NMR analysis of telomere RNA is useful for identifying the binding of RNA G‐quadruplex with ligand molecule. We further demonstrated that 19F NMR can be used to monitor the interaction of RNA G‐quadruplex and the telomeric protein TRF2.
Flexibility Due to Abstraction and Decomposition
Authors: Broniatowski David A.
Published: May 2017

Flexibility is a major concern in engineering design. This paper examines two complementary approaches to designing flexibility into engineering systems. One approach, based on system decomposition, emphasizes a one‐to‐one mapping between form and function, as in modular designs. The second approach decouples form from function, enabling a many‐to‐many mapping, as in layered designs. These approaches need not be mutually exclusive; rather, they can be synergistic. These claims are examined using simulated intermodal freight shipping networks. Results show that systems relying on decomposition are especially sensitive to disruptions. In contrast, systems relying on abstraction are less sensitive to disruption as long as rates of change in the environment are low; however, they are also less able to respond to unmet demand. Given enough resources, systems using both approaches can respond both to disruptions and unmet demand. Implications for system design are discussed.
A study on the Requirements to Support the Accurate Prediction of Engineering Change Propagation
Authors: Koh Edwin C. Y.
Published: May 2017

This paper builds on previous work in the area of design representation to identify the types of modeling information required to support the accurate prediction of engineering change propagation during the design of complex engineering systems. It uses the Function–Behavior–Structure (FBS) framework as a basis to examine how engineering changes can occur and how they may subsequently propagate. It was revealed that the relationship between change requirements and product components, the functional dependencies between product components, the behavioral dependencies between product components, and the structural dependencies between product components are all essential modeling information that need to be considered to fully describe the propagation of engineering changes. The essential modeling information identified can serve as modeling requirements to support the development of change prediction methods. In this work, three example design methods were discussed to examine the feasibility of using the modeling requirements for method evaluation. It was concluded that the level of accuracy achievable depends on the design context and hence a direct comparison between methods developed for different design contexts may not be meaningful. This suggests that accuracy should not be used as the sole criterion to evaluate change prediction methods.
Wind tunnel test and field measurement study of wind effects on a 600‐m‐high super‐tall building
Authors: Zhang J.W. , Li Q.S.
Published: May 2017

Ping An Finance Center with a height of 600 m and 118 storeys, located in Shenzhen, is currently the second tallest building in China. This paper presents a comprehensive study of wind effects on the supertall building through wind tunnel testing and field measurement. The wind‐induced loads and pressures on the skyscraper were measured by high‐frequency force balance technique and synchronous multipressure sensing system, respectively. In the wind tunnel study, a whole range of characteristic properties, including mean and r.m.s force coefficients, power spectral densities, coherences, correlations, and phase‐plane trajectories, wind‐induced displacement, and acceleration responses were presented and discussed. In addition, a field measurement study of the dynamic responses of Ping An Finance Center was conducted during a tropical cyclone, which aimed to verify the design assumptions and further the understanding of the dynamic properties and performance of the 600‐m‐high supertall building, including natural frequencies, damping ratios, and wind‐induced structural responses. Then, the serviceability of the skyscraper is assessed on the basis of the experimental results and field measurements. The outcomes of this combined model test and field measurement study are expected to be useful for the wind‐resistant design of future supertall buildings.
Dinuclear (Ferrocenylmethyl)imidazolium Ionic Compounds with Polycyano Anions. Characterization, Migration, and Effects during Combustion
Authors: Liu Manman , Shao Ersha , Zhao Kai , Li Jizhen , Gao Ziwei , Zhang Guofang
Published: May 2017

Alkyl‐substituted ferrocene‐based burning rate catalysts exhibit high migration and volatility during curing process and prolonged storage of the composite solid propellants. To deal with the drawbacks twenty‐one dinuclear (ferrocenylmethyl)imidazolium compounds paired with polycyano anions, were synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV/Vis, elementary analysis, and both 2 and 11 were further characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The migration test revealed that the compounds have excellent anti‐migration ability. The cyclic‐voltammetry results suggested that they are quasi‐reversible or irreversible redox systems. The TG/DSC analyses showed that the compounds are highly thermal stable. Their effects on the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and 1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazacyclohexane (RDX) were additionally examined. The results showed that the new compounds have strong effects on the thermal decomposition of both AP and RDX during combustion. Both 13 and 21 are more excellent than catocene for increasing the released heats of AP and can be used as alternatives of catocene in the composite solid propellants.
An investigation of the impact of Melbourne Zoo's “Seal‐the‐Loop” donate call‐to‐action on visitor satisfaction and behavior
Authors: Mellish Sarah , Sanders Ben , Litchfield Carla A. , Pearson Elissa L.
Published: May 2017

Modern zoos are uniquely positioned to educate the public about environmental issues and promote conservation action. This report investigates the introduction of a donation request during an interactive fur seal presentation (as part of Melbourne Zoo's “Seal‐the‐Loop” initiative) on visitor satisfaction, perceptions of donation as a way to help wild fur seals, and donation behaviors. Comparisons are made between three groups surveyed upon exit: (1) viewed the interactive fur seal presentation prior to the donation request implementation (pledge‐presentation: N = 86; see Mellish, Pearson, Sanders, and Litchfield []; International Zoo Yearbook 129:129–154); (2) viewed the interactive fur seal presentation including the donation request (donate‐presentation: N = 82); and (3) viewed the fur seal exhibit and donation point but not the presentation and were not directly asked to make a donation (donate‐exhibit: N = 82). Findings demonstrate visitor satisfaction with the interactive fur seal presentation was not negatively impacted following the implementation of the donate request (with >92% of pledge‐presentation and donate‐presentation visitors providing a “satisfied” or “very satisfied” rating). Only the donate‐presentation visitors reported donation as a conservation action to help wild fur seals (19.18%; 0% for pledge‐presentation visitors). While both donate‐exhibit (39.51%) and donate‐presentation visitors (60.75%) self‐reported making donations or intending to do so, donation behavior was significantly increased for visitors who had viewed the fur seal presentation. Findings provide preliminary support that zoos may utilize interactive educational presentations to effectively ask visitors for donations to support specific conservation projects, without negatively impacting on satisfaction and with a relatively high level of visitor engagement.
Sound at the zoo: Using animal monitoring, sound measurement, and noise reduction in zoo animal management
Authors: Orban David A. , Soltis Joseph , Perkins Lori , Mellen Jill D.
Published: May 2017

A clear need for evidence‐based animal management in zoos and aquariums has been expressed by industry leaders. Here, we show how individual animal welfare monitoring can be combined with measurement of environmental conditions to inform science‐based animal management decisions. Over the last several years, Disney's Animal Kingdom® has been undergoing significant construction and exhibit renovation, warranting institution‐wide animal welfare monitoring. Animal care and science staff developed a model that tracked animal keepers’ daily assessments of an animal's physical health, behavior, and responses to husbandry activity; these data were matched to different external stimuli and environmental conditions, including sound levels. A case study of a female giant anteater and her environment is presented to illustrate how this process worked. Associated with this case, several sound‐reducing barriers were tested for efficacy in mitigating sound. Integrating daily animal welfare assessment with environmental monitoring can lead to a better understanding of animals and their sensory environment and positively impact animal welfare.
Ultrasonographic Assessment of Differential Diagnosis Between Degenerating Cystic Thyroid Nodules and Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinomas
Authors: Peng Yan , Zhou Wei , Zhan Wei Wei , Xu Shang Yan
Published: May 2017

Purpose

To enhance the diagnostic accuracy of conventional ultrasonography in differentiating papillary thyroid microcarcinomas (PTMCs) from degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy (under 10 mm in diameter).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of hypoechoic thyroid nodules under 10 mm between 162 cases of degenerating cystic thyroid nodules confirmed by ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (US‐FNA) and 150 cases of PTMCs confirmed by both US‐FNA and postoperative pathology were performed in the aspects of shape, margin, calcification, and vascularity.

Results

Significant differences were observed in the aspects of shape, rim calcification, and vascularity (P < 0.05) between two groups in condition of solid hypoechogenicity. An ovoid‐to‐round regular shape, rim calcification, and no intrinsic blood flow were the statistically significant features for the depiction of a benign degenerating cystic nodule, while a taller‐than‐wide shape and peripheral or intranodular blood flow were that of a malignancy. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated each of them as an independent predictor of malignancy (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Shape, rim calcification, and vascularity are efficient criteria to distinguish degenerating cystic thyroid nodules mimicking malignancy from PTMCs in cases of solid hypoechogenic nodules under 10 mm. Such criteria should be acknowledged in cases of solid hypoechogenic thyroid nodules to help guide for the need of US‐FNA.
Novel Synthesis Method and Characterization of Poly(vinyl acetate‐butyl acrylate) Latex Particles: Effect of Silanol‐Terminated Poly(dimethylsiloxane) Surfactant on the Seeded Emulsion Copolymerization
Authors: Ghorbani Reza Erfani , Zohuri Gholam Hossein , Gholami Mehran
Published: May 2017

In a conventional semi‐batch seeded emulsion copolymerization of vinyl acetate/butyl acrylate (VA/BA) using hybrid surfactants namely, dioctyl sulfosuccinate (DOSS) as an anionic surfactant, nonylphenol ethoxylate (KENON 30) as a non‐ionic type, and polydimethylsiloxane surfactant (having hydrophilic silanol‐terminated, called PDMS). The effect of PDMS on the properties of the latex synthesized was investigated by measuring solid content, viscosity, colloidal stability, particle size distributions of the base latex, viscosity average molecular weight () of the copolymer, latex particle morphology, glass transition temperature (Tg) of a copolymer and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). Particle size of the base latex decreases (Z‐average from 246.48 to 143.69 nm) upon increasing the amount of PDMS surfactant in the recipe (up to 6 wt%). The presence of PDMS surfactant in the hybrid surfactants led to a significant increase in the solid content (from 48.71 to 51.31 wt%), viscosity (from 334 to 806 centipoise, cp) and (from 1.91 × 105 to 2.34 × 105 g mol−1). Thermal stability and Tg of the copolymer were increased with addition of PDMS surfactant (thermal stability from 344.77 to 389.81 °C and Tg from −20.7 to 21.7 °C). The colloidal stability evaluated using the electrolyte addition method was improved with addition of PDMS surfactant. The uniform morphological structure of the final particle is the main effect of using PDMS in the hybrid surfactants.
Skin Tone and Self-Employment: Is there an Intra-Group Variation among Blacks?
Authors: Devaraj Srikant , Patel Pankaj C.
Published: May 2017

The purpose of this paper is to formally evaluate whether odds of entry into self-employment decrease as skin tone darkens for Blacks in the United States. Extending past work on inter-group differences in Black-White self-employment, based on data from National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, with darker skin tone the odds of self-employment decline. Having spent more time in labor force further decreases the likelihood of self-employment for darker skin tone Blacks, and being a high-school graduate, scoring high on Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), or higher past year income are not associated with self-employment of darker skin tone Blacks. While darker skin tone Blacks who are self-employed derive lower income, those who are self-employed and with more human capital (longer time spent in the labor force, scoring high on ASVAB or being a high school graduate) have a higher income.
Political Union and the Legitimacy Challenge
Authors: Wohlgemuth Michael
Published: May 2017

For the first time the EU has reached not just a stopping point, but a possible turning point. The Brexit decision has only made this more evident. Using the current crisis for a ‘great leap forward’ towards ever closer ‘political union’ hardly seems realistic, even in the absence of the notorious British opposition. Even the member states that are most ardently calling for a ‘political union’ do not agree on what that should actually mean. Using the examples of France and Germany and their seemingly identical calls for a ‘fiscal union’ of the eurozone, this article shows that the two countries have contrasting interpretations of what such a union should do, and how. Both the French ideal of a voluntarist ‘economic government’ of the eurozone and the German model of a rules-based ‘economic constitution’ would require substantial changes to the EU treaties, for which there is no real hope of democratic consent. The legitimacy challenge has thus become both more urgent and more difficult to overcome.
Magnetocaloric effect of LaFe11.35Co0.6Si1.05 alloy
Authors: Gębara Piotr
Published: May 2017

The aim of the present paper was to study the large magnetocaloric effect observed in LaFe11.35Co0.6Si1.05 alloy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) result reveals a coexistence of two crystalline phases: a dominant La(Fe,Si)13-type and a minor α-Fe(Co,Si). It is confirmed by the Mössbauer spectroscopy and microstructural observations accompanied by an energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The value of the magnetic entropy changes (|SM|) in the vicinity of the Curie temperature (TC = 268 K) was calculated using thermomagnetic Maxwell relation, and it equals to 21.4 J·kg−1·K−1 under the change in an external magnetic field of μ0ΔH = 3T. The investigation of magnetic phase transition was carried out using the Landau theory, an analysis of the field dependences of the magnetic entropy change and universal scaling curve, revealing the second order of phase transition in the studied material.
A non-stochastic portfolio model for optimizing the transformation of an even-aged forest stand to continuous cover forestry when information about return fluctuation is incomplete
Authors: Messerer Katharina , Pretzsch Hans , Knoke Thomas
Published: May 2017

Key message

Non-stochastic portfolio optimization of forest stands provides a good alternative to stochastic mean-variance optimization when available statistical data is incomplete. The suggested approach has a theoretical background in the areas of robust optimization, continuous multicriteria decision-making, and fuzzy theory. Resulting robust portfolios only show slight economic losses compared to the efficient frontier of a stochastic optimization.

Context

Economic optimization addressing diversification in mixed uneven-aged forest stands is a useful tool for forest planners.

Aims

The study aims to compare two approaches for optimizing rotation age cohort portfolios under risk. Rotation age cohorts emerge from age-based regeneration-harvesting operations simulated for two tree species: Picea abies and Fagus sylvatica.

Methods

The first optimization approach is a stochastic mean-variance approach. The second is a non-stochastic optimization approach, which has rarely been applied to optimize tree species composition and the distribution of harvested timber over many periods. It aims at relatively good solutions, even if the deviation from the initially assumed return is very high. The objective function for both approaches is sensitive to the selection of various harvesting periods for different parts of the stand. For the stochastic approach, the objective function maximizes the annuitized net present value (economic return) for specific levels of risk by allocating area proportions to harvesting periods and tree species. In the non-stochastic approach, the allocation of area proportions instead minimizes the maximum deviation from the greatest possible economic return among many uncertainty scenarios (non-stochastic approach).

Results

Portfolios from both approaches were diverse in rotation age cohorts. The non-stochastic portfolios were more diverse when compared with portfolios from the efficient frontier, which showed the same standard deviation. However, P. abies clearly dominated the non-stochastic portfolios, while stochastic portfolios also integrated beech to a greater extent, but only in very low risk portfolios. The economic losses of the non-stochastic portfolios compared to the efficient frontier of the mean-variance approach lay between 1 and 3% only for different levels of accepted risk.

Conclusion

The non-stochastic portfolio optimization over a large uncertainty space is so far uncommon in forest science, yet provides a viable alternative to stochastic optimization, particularly when available data is scarce. However, further research should consider ecological effects, such as increased resistance against hazards of conifers in mixed stands.
Tipo de derivación urinaria en el paciente llevado a cistectomía radical, participación del urólogo y tasa de filtración de la anastomosis intestinal
Authors: Jaramillo Valencia Juan , González Andrés , Acosta Rafael
Published: May 2017

Objetivo Conocer la prevalencia de cistectomías radicales que se realizan en centros especializados en Colombia, definiendo tipo de derivación intestinal, participantes en su creación, segmento intestinal utilizado y tasa de filtración.

Materiales y métodos Se realizó una encuesta a instituciones de salud colombianas que realizan cistectomías radicales de manera rutinaria, se analizaron variables como número de procedimientos por año, segmento intestinal utilizado, tipo de especialidad participante en la anastomosis intestinal y la tasa de filtración de esta.

Resultados Quince instituciones colombianas respondieron la encuesta, el número de cistectomías realizadas por año fue: 5/15 (33,3%) más de 15 cirugías al año, 4/15(26,6%) entre 11 y 15 procedimientos al año, 3/15 (20%) entre 5 y 10 y otro 3/15 (20%) entre 1 y 5 cistectomías al año. El 93,3% de las instituciones realizan Bricker como derivación más común; solo una institución (6,7%) lleva a cabo ureterostomías cutáneas. Con respecto a los participantes en la creación de la anastomosis de las 14 instituciones, en 9 (64,2%) es realizada por cirujano general, en 4 (28,5%) la lleva a cabo un urólogo y en una (7,4%) la derivación es realizada por coloproctólogo. La gran mayoría de los centros tiene una incidencia baja de filtración intestinal.

Conclusiones En la gran mayoría de las instituciones colombianas el cirujano general y en menor medida el urólogo participan en la creación de la anastomosis intestinal como parte del protocolo de la institución. La filtración es una complicación poco frecuente pero con alta morbimortalidad. Se requiere de entrenamiento por parte del urólogo en formación para lograr mejores resultados.
Relative dispersion in generalized two-dimensional turbulence
Authors: Foussard Alexis , Berti Stefano , Perrot Xavier , Lapeyre Guillaume
Published: May 2017

The statistical properties of turbulent fluids depend on how local the energy transfers among scales are, i.e. whether the energy transfer at some given scale is due to the eddies at that particular scale, or to eddies at larger (non-local) scale. This locality in the energy transfers may have consequences for the relative dispersion of passive particles. In this paper, we consider a class of generalized two-dimensional flows (produced by the so-called $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$-turbulence models), theoretically possessing different properties in terms of locality of energy transfers. It encompasses the standard barotropic quasi-geostrophic (QG) and the surface quasi-geostrophic (SQG) models as limiting cases. The relative dispersion statistics are examined, both as a function of time and as a function of scale, and compared to predictions based on phenomenological arguments assuming the locality of the cascade. We find that the dispersion statistics follow the predicted values from local theories, as long as the parameter $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$ is small enough (dynamics close to that of the SQG model), for sufficiently small initial pair separations. In contrast, non-local dispersion is observed for the QG model, a robust result when looking at relative displacement probability distributions. However, we point out that spectral energy transfers do have a non-local contribution for models with different values of $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$, including the SQG case. This indicates that locality/non-locality of the turbulent cascade may not always imply locality/non-locality in the relative dispersion of particles and that the self-similar nature of the turbulent cascade is more appropriate for determining the relative dispersion locality.
Primary instability of a shear-thinning film flow down an incline: experimental study
Authors: Allouche M. H. , Botton V. , Millet S. , Henry D. , Dagois-Bohy S. , Güzel B. , Ben Hadid H.
Published: May 2017

The main objective of this work is to study experimentally the primary instability of non-Newtonian film flows down an inclined plane. We focus on low-concentration shear-thinning aqueous solutions obeying the Carreau law. The experimental study essentially consists of measuring wavelengths in marginal conditions, which yields the primary stability threshold for a given slope. The experimental results for neutral curves presented in the $(Re,f_{c})$ and $(Re,k)$ planes (where $f_{c}$ is the driving frequency, $k$ is the wavenumber and $Re$ is the Reynolds number) are in good agreement with the numerical results obtained by a resolution of the generalized Orr–Sommerfeld equation. The long-wave asymptotic extension of our results is consistent with former theoretical predictions of the critical Reynolds number. This is the first experimental evidence of the destabilizing effect of the shear-thinning behaviour in comparison with the Newtonian case: the critical Reynolds number is smaller, and the ratio between the critical wave celerity and the flow velocity at the free surface is larger.
Subsonic flow past localised heating elements in boundary layers
Authors: Aljohani A. F. , Gajjar J. S. B.
Published: May 2017

The problem of subsonic flow past micro-electro-mechanical-system-type (MEMS-type) heating elements placed on a flat surface, where the MEMS devices have hump-shaped surfaces, is investigated using triple-deck theory. The compressible Navier–Stokes equations supplemented by the energy equation are considered in the limit that the Reynolds number is large. The triple-deck problem is formulated, and the linear and nonlinear analysis and results are presented. The current work is a generalisation of the problem discussed by Koroteev & Lipatov (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 707, 2012, pp. 595–605; Z. Angew. Math. Mech., vol. 77, 2013, pp. 486–493), where the MEMS devices have flat-shaped surfaces. The results show that the hump-shaped heating elements enhance large drops in pressure, and peaks and troughs in the skin friction over the centre of the hump compared with the flat-shaped devices, which may be useful for controlling the flow.
Evaluation of anin vitrofibre fermentation method using feline faecal inocula: repeatability and reproducibility
Authors: Bosch Guido , Heesen Lisa , de Melo Santos Karine , Pellikaan Wilbert F. , Cone John W. , Hendriks Wouter H.
Published: May 2017

To gain knowledge on the precision of anin vitromethod for characterisation of the fermentability of dietary fibres, this study aimed to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of such a method. Substrates used were citrus pectin (CP), fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), guar gum (GG), sugar beet pulp (SBP) and wheat middlings (WM). Each substrate was incubated with faecal inoculum from five cats with three replicates for each substrate–cat combination. Gas production was measured continuously during the 48 h incubation and SCFA and organic matter disappearance (only SBP and WM) were determined after incubation. Four consecutive runs were performed. The within-run variability (repeatability) was generally lower for the more simple and pure substrates (CP, FOS, GG) than for the more complex substrates containing mixtures of fibres (SBP, WM). Replicates showed high variability, in particular for SCFA profiles and parameters of gas production kinetics. The between-run CV (reproducibility) for the measured parameters were, in general, below 10 % for CP, FOS and GG and higher values were obtained for SBP and WM. It is concluded that for precise dietary fibre characterisation, the number of replicates should be multiple and adjusted according to the variability of the parameters of interest and the complexity of fibres. The method yielded reproducible results with some variation in absolute values obtained, which may have an impact on the significance level of the differences among substrates.
Food and Soot: Organic Residues On Outer Pottery Surfaces
Authors: Teetaert Dimitri , Boudin Mathieu , Saverwyns Steven , Crombé Philippe
Published: May 2017

Organic residues preserved on the outer surfaces of archaeological pottery are commonly considered to be soot and, not being subject to reservoir effects, as more reliable for radiocarbon (14C) dating compared to food crusts from the inner surface. However, unlike food crusts, outer surface residues are never analyzed prior to 14C dating. This study confronts 14C dates on inner and outer surface residues preserved on prehistoric pottery from Bazel Sluis (Belgium) with the results of stable isotope analysis and thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (THM-GC-MS). These analyses clearly show that food residue is also present on the outer pottery surface, causing a possible reservoir effect on 14C dates. At Bazel, 14C dates on both the inner and outer surface residues are too old compared to dates obtained on associated animal bone. In addition, the outer surface residues systematically date younger than the inner food crusts, a discrepancy that is also known from other archaeological sites. It is suggested that these age differences are due to the mixed presence of soot and food residue on the exterior vessel wall as opposed to more homogeneous food crusts on the internal surface.
Normative Hierarchy in International Law
Authors: Shelton Dinah
Published: May 2017

Systems of law usually establish a hierarchy of norms based on the particular source from which the norms derive. In national legal systems, it is commonplace for the fundamental values of society to be given constitutional status and afforded precedence in the event of a conflict with norms enacted by legislation or adopted by administrative regulation; administrative rules themselves must conform to legislative mandates, while written law usually takes precedence over unwritten law and legal norms prevail over nonlegal (political or moral) rules. Norms of equal status must be balanced and reconciled to the extent possible. The mode of legal reasoning applied in practice is thus naturally hierarchical, establishing relationships and order between normative statements and levels of authority.